Hastings United v Ashford Town - Saturday 31st October 2009

Pre Match Report

I’m Roger Sinden here at the Pilot Field where today Hastings United entertain Ashford Town ( Middlesex)

Hastings bounced back with character at Kingstonian last Saturday, after their  nightmare FA Trophy elimination the previous week, and served up a performance which made them deserved winners by the odd goal in three. Hastings played a passing game, with the ball on the ground rather than being pumped into the air. An early setback was the dismissal of goalkeeper Greg Nessling and a penalty to Kingstonian, but two goals from Ade Olorunda edged United through. United consolidated on their third place league position.

With both sides eliminated from the FA Trophy a rearranged fixture brings Ashford Town to the Pilot Field. Ashford Town are struggling this season and are hovering just above the relegation zone with a third of the season gone.  They were defeated mid week by table topping Dartford by 4 goals to one and lost to Maidstone United by two goals last Saturday.

Last week’s performance will make team selection somewhat easier for Hastings Manager Tony Dolby and assuming that injuries are not an issue. One absentee this afternoon however is goal keeper  Greg Nessling who was bitten by his dog this week and Josh Willis is his replacement.

Roger Sinden for SATURDAY SPORT the Pilot Field

Match Report

Hastings United ( 4)  Ashford Town (Middlesex) ( 4 )

Apparently cruising 3-1 up and the game seemingly won, Hastings inextricably conceded late goals to set up a storming finale at the Pilot Field. Josh Willis played in place of the injured Greg Nessling, whose dog influenced the match by biting his master during the week. This all seemed an irrelevance as Hastings took early control. Firstly Liam Upton’s deep centre from the right flank to the far post was deftly headed home by Russell Eldridge to put United ahead and Ade Olorunda was unlucky to see his scissor kick strike the bar and bounce clear. For the second week on 42 minutes, United conceded a penalty kick with goalkeeper Willis felling Byron Harrison. Harrison coolly converted from the spot. Hastings quickly restored their lead when Liam Upton beat the advancing Ross from a through ball from Elford.

When Ade Olorunda made it 3-1 on 55 minutes, seizing on a quick throw from Eldridge and planting the ball inside the near post, the game seemed won. But hesitant defending allowed Hone Fowler to register with a header on 81 minutes to make it 3-2, and then Byron Harrison’s header on 84 minutes made it all square at 3-3. Willis who had looked confident as a shot stopper in the first half was now looking jittery and missing key centres.

Worse was to follow on 89 minutes when a long range free kick from Paul Johnson somehow beat the defensive wall and Willis to edge the visitors ahead 4-3. There was still time for United to salvage a point when Tim Olorunda headed  a Sam Adams cross home, but in truth maximum points should have been sewn up much earlier in an entertaining afternoon.

Roger Sinden at the Pilot Field for SATURDAY SPORT  where it finished
Hastings United ( 4 )  Ashford Town (Middlesex) ( 4 )