Hastings United v Margate - Saturday 14th February 2009

Pre Match Report

I’m Roger Sinden here at the Pilot Field where today Hastings United entertain Margate

Snow flurries and match postponements have been accompanied by a flurry of activity within the club in recent days at the Pilot Field. The controversial dismissal of popular manager John Lambert after the Horsham disappointment, a fortnight ago, heralded the return of former manager Tony Dolby and the return of former player Lee Carey from Horsham.

The dust was still settling when United hosted the visit of Boreham Wood on Tuesday night, when both sides shared the points in a 1-1 draw. Frankie Sawyer’s excellent goal opened the scoring which was nullified by a late strike by the visitors.

Today’s visitors Margate have also experienced the wind of change this season  and they are now managed by former Welsh Internationals Terry Yorath and his assistant Neville Southall. Southall was also a former Hastings manager, who was shown the door by Chairman Walters. Yorath and Southall have steadied the ship at Margate who have also needed to fight off the threat of administration and are struggling in the bottom four.

Today’s match, in danger of being dwarfed by off the field events, is crucial for both sides in their quest to avoid relegation. Expect United, still without suspended Nathan Russell, to be largely unchanged on a Valentine’s Day when supporters take their life in their hands for preferring to be at football rather than with their sweethearts.

Roger Sinden for SATURDAY SPORT the Pilot Field

Match Report

Hastings United ( 1 )  Margate ( 1 )
Hastings served up one of their better performances of the season and will consider themselves unlucky not to have secured maximum points against fellow strugglers Margate. The visitors were like a boxer pinned to the ropes with Hastings unable to land the killer punch. For much of the game Hastings enjoyed possession in the Margate half and managed nine efforts on target with Margate goalkeeper Pat Mullin keeping his side in the game in the second half.

Returning mid fielder Lee Carey had an inspiring first half setting up chances from free kicks and  flighted corners. Despite a promising start Hastings fell behind on 19 minutes, in Margate’s first attack, when a free kick to the far post found Luke Whitby, whose header defeated a lunging defender on the line. Margate were at their most dangerous shortly after the opener and Wayne Wilson could have added a second. In response a Whiteman overhead kick went close as did a Lee Carey free kick. The equaliser on 31 minutes was scored by Rhys Whyborne, his first senior goal for the club. Spice’s long ball was headed back across the goal by Scott Ramsay and Whyborne did the rest from close range.

The second half was pretty much one way traffic with Pat Mullin performing heroics to keep Hastings at bay. Frankie Sawyer pulled the ball across the goal and then Whiteman struck the bar. Despite formation changes by Tony Dolby the winner remained elusive, giving two home draws since his return. Hastings look a more balanced confident side but they may still come to regret those dropped points today.

Roger Sinden at the Pilot Field for SATURDAY SPORT  where it finished
Hastings United (1 )  Margate (1 )