Hastings United v Margate - Saturday 7th November 2009

Pre Match Report

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

Supporters visiting the Pilot Field cannot complain about a lack of goal mouth action in the last two matches. After witnessing the one sided 6-1 massacre by Merstham, they saw a more even contest last week with Hastings United and Ashford Town Middlesex sharing eight goals in a highly entertaining game. Both sides will feel that they could have won the match, with Hastings leading 3-1 at one point, before slipping behind 4-3 and then snatching an equaliser deep into stoppage time. The goal scorers were the Olorunda brothers, Russell Eldridge and Liam Upton and the hard earned point took United to second place, although they have played more games than their rivals.

Home form has been erratic, which will give some comfort to visitors Margate this afternoon, who have been struggling for form this season. They have just appointed a new manager Mark Butler and today’s match is the first under his control, so the Margate squad will be looking to impress their new boss. For Hastings Josh Willis deputises for the suspended Greg Nessling, who was sent off at Kingstonian. Last weekWillis was in goal as Nessling was injured and whilst he looked a competent shot stopper he looked vulnerable on crosses. Hastings will need to be more secure defensively to ensure that visiting supporters are denied another goal feast

Roger Sinden for Hospital Radio Hastings at the Pilot Field

Match Report

Hastings United ( 2 )  Margate  ( 1 )

Like a reluctant firework which spluttered and smouldered this game finally sparked to life in a rousing second half. The opening period was a non event, with Hastings rarely achieving possession for any reasonable time. Both sides built patiently from the back but rarely troubled either goalkeeper with incisive goal chances.

For the third week running Hastings conceded a penalty and again this one was registered. It seemed a harsh decision on 42 minutes as a shot appeared to hit defender Steve Elliot on the chest. The referee adjudged otherwise and Lloyd Blackman thundered the kick into the roof of the net.

 Hastings brought on Sam Adams after the restart and he began to make a difference. Hastings pressure was mounting and on 60 minutes Russell Eldridge had two good chances within seconds as his first effort was blocked by goalkeeper Matthew Reed and following up Eldridge headed the rebound against the foot of the post.

Just four minutes later the scores were level when Ade Olorunda ran at a backpedalling defence, muscled his way through and then scored with a low angled drive. With Hastings sensing that their chance had come, Sam Adams slipped the ball to Russell Eldridge who slotted home on 78 minutes to an appreciative roar from the home crowd. Hastings looked more solid at the back than in recent weeks and Sean Ray in particular was a man of the match candidate with an inspiring performance in which he commanded the air with authority.

Roger Sinden at the Pilot Field for Hospital Radio Hastings where it finished
Hastings United ( 2 ) Margate ( 1 )