Hastings United v Boreham Wood - Saturday 19th December 2009

Pre Match Report

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

Hastings have already secured their first victory of the day against the arctic weather by at least confirming that today’s home match goes ahead but how the pitch plays is anybody’s guess in conditions which could deteriorate in the course of the afternoon. The club could perhaps have done without the match going ahead as Christmas shopping always seems the higher priority so close to Christmas, impacting adversely on the attendance.

They go into the game on the back of a disappointing run which has seen three straight defeats which has seriously dented their play off aspirations with half the season gone. They cling onto second position but both Kingstomian and Tooting and Mitcham  United are in touching distance to overhaul United. Last Saturday United visited Imperial Fields, the home ground of Tooting and Mitcham United and ended on the wrong  side of a 1-0 scoreline. They were better side during the opening exchanges but once the home side had taken the lead, began to fall away badly and needed to rely upon goalkeeper Greg Nessling to keep the score down in a disappointing second half. Michael Phillips and Liam Upton had the best chances to break the deadlock for the visitors but they failed to score for the first time in thirteen starts.

A win is of paramount importance this afternoon for a side without skipper Tim Olorunda who is suspended following his dismissal against Cray Wanderers a fortnight ago.

Roger Sinden for SATURDAY SPORT the Pilot Field

Match Report

Hastings United ( 2 )  Boreham Wood ( 1 )

Hastings United halted a run of three consecutive defeats at a snow sprinkled Pilot Filed but caused some anxiety to their supporters as an energised Boreham Wood pressed for an equaliser in the closing period. The fact that the game took place at all was a credit to the ground staff and volunteers who swept the lines to ensure the pitch passed inspection. Hastings played a pleasing patient game in the opening period, maintaining possession and finding space on both flanks. They deservedly edged ahead on 19 minutes when wide man Russell Eldridge cut in from the left to shoot. Goal keeper Tony Tucker beat the shot out but Scott Ramsay finished off powerfully as the loose ball ran to him. The same player had a further chance on 40 minutes but his flighted shot drifted wide.

It seemed that Ade Olorunda’s goal on 51 minutes would effectively  kill the game off. He received the ball some 25 yards out, with the visiting defence conspicuous by its absence, and his low angled shot beat the advancing Tucker to make it 2-0.

Inexplicably United chose to defend too deeply, allowing the visitors back into the game by conceding possession. On 66 minutes the deficit was reduced. A corner was headed back across the goal and Liam Hunter headed powerfully home from close range through a ruck of players. A nervous 20 minutes or so ensued with Hastings United under almost constant pressure, but with man of the match Sean Ray an immense influence at the back, they held on as a reward to the loyal fans who had braved the wintery elements

Roger Sinden at the Pilot Field for SATURDAY SPORT  where it finished
Hastings United ( 2 )  Boreham Wood ( 1 )