Hastings United v Billericay - Saturday 3rd October 2009

Pre Match Report

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

Hastings had a blank day last Saturday, having been eliminated from the FA Cup at the first hurdle by Farnborough, giving any niggling injuries within the squad a chance to heal. In contrast today’s visitors Hendon were making steady progress to the next qualifying round  in The FA Cup and have now eliminated both Marlow and Kingstonian. Hopefully their focus will be on next Saturday’s clash with Ashford Town (Middlesex) in the third Qualifying Round.

Hastings last home action was a fortnight ago when a controversial equaliser by Tim Olorunda in stoppage time earned a deserved point, but three days later saw their first defeat on the road, going down by a solitary goal at second placed Canvey Island.

There is no team news at present but  defender Sean Ray appears to have now recovered from Swine flu and had a run out with the Reserves last week and presumably is in contention for selection today.  Fellow defender Rhys Whyborn had a hastily arranged trial with Brighton and Hove Albion, a tribute to the commanding form that he has shown at the back.

 Despite that defeat at Canvey Hastings are having a decent start to the season and are now in seventh position, just one point and three places ahead of today’s visitors.

Roger Sinden for SATURDAY SPORT the Pilot Field

Match Report

Hastings United ( 2 )  Hendon ( 1 )

Hastings picked up three valuable points in a game which they commanded for much of the time and which was punctuated by three fine goals. The first half was as one sided as a one day cricket international against Australia and how it remained goal less is a mystery. Hastings goalkeeper was reduced as an on looker in the first half with Sam Adams at the other end missing several chances. On 15 minutes he was clean through on goal but his shot hit the advancing goalkeeper James Reading’s legs. On 27 minutes the same player saw his free kick flash wide of the post. Earlier Ade Olorunda’s poor pass failed to find Steve Elliott who was well placed for goal.

The second half saw a bemused United wondering where a goal was coming from with Hendon becoming more ambitious in their approach work. When the opening goal finally came it was a cracker. On 64 minutes Ade Olorunda cut in from the right flank and his angled shot from the edge of the area flew into the net. Scott Ramsay, on for Ade Olorunda, who left  the fray injured after his goal, could have scored with a lob when well placed but he found the goalkeeper instead. Lee Carey’s excellent volley on 86 minutes from the edge of the area seemed to have secured the points to make it 2-0, but at the death Hendon’s Yacine Hamada jinxed his way through the defence to register a consolation goal.

Three well deserved points put an end to United’s stuttering league form and puts them back in contention for an early season play off place

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