Kingstonian v Hastings United - Saturday 24th October 2009

Pre Match Report

“I’m Roger Sinden here at Jack Goodchild Way, Kingston where Hastings United visit Kingstonian”

Just seven days ago Hastings suffered a nightmare experience when they were routed 6-1 in the FA Trophy by Merstham, from Ryman Division One. The nature of the defeat was chaotic and embarrassing and Hastings had leaked six goals by half time, failing utterly to deal with the giant Leon Simpson and two fast and skilful wingers. It is true that United were without Jimmy Elford and Tim Olorunda but no excuses should be offered for what was a miserable day.

Today’s hosts Kingstonian will understand the problem well and were the early season whipping boys conceding 16 goals in three matches. However since then their management team have brought in several new players, prompting a splendid run of form moving Kingstonian within one place of United. They have only suffered one defeat in eight league matches.

For this encounter Hastings Manager  Tony Dolby has the opportunity of  making wholesale changes or just fine tuning a badly misfiring side. It was noticeable that Sean Ray’s introduction at half time last Saturday in place of Rhys Whyborn did seem to steady United at the back and this week United welcomed the returning Russell Eldridge to the club from Horsham. Russell plays naturally on the left flank and provides different options.
As for last week’s nightmare a good performance would lighten those sleep problems and if that fails there is an extra hour in bed this evening.

Roger Sinden for Saturday Sport at  Jack Goodchild Way

Match Report

Kingstonian  (1 ) Hastings United (2 )

 Hastings United emerged with all of the points from an inform Kingstonian side, with both teams finishing the game with only ten men. Russell Eldridge, returning to the club for his fourth spell was very influential on the left flank, and Ade Olorunda grabbed a brace. Liam Upton wasted an early chance for Hastings when he seized on a poor back pass but his shot flashed wide as the goalkeeper advanced. Despite their early pressure Hastings fell behind on 25 minutes when confusion between Whyborne and Nessling at the edge of the penalty area saw Nessling fell Bobby Traynor.  Nessling was dismissed and Sam Adams donned the goalkeeper’s jersey. He was helpless as Traynor’s perfect penalty opened the scoring.

Despite the numerical disadvantage Hastings retained their composure and Ade Olorunda’s goal on 40 minutes was deserved. Upton’s run on goal saw the ball fall to Ade Olorunda and he fired home with a low shot on 40 minutes with a low angled shot from the edge of the area.

Hastings continued to look impressive after the break and Eldridge’s free kick on 51 minutes went wide of the post. The K’s had plenty of patient possession but could not penetrate a well marshalled defence which protected Adams well. On 63 minutes both men were a man short when Simon Huckle was shown a straight red card for a late lunge on Michael Phillips by the referee’s assistant.

Russell Eldridge’s precision corner on 81 minutes made it a perfect afternoon when he found Ade Olorunda whose bullet header rocketed low into the net which set up a well deserved wan against an inform Kingstonian side.

Roger Sinden at Jack Goodchild Way, Kingston where it finished
Kingstonian (1) Hastings United (2)