Hastings United v Merstham - Saturday 17th October 2009

Pre Match Report

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

Having been eliminated at the first hurdle in the FA Cup this year, Hastings are anxious to not follow the same fate this afternoon when they entertain high riding Merstham in the FA Trophy today. Admittedly Merstham compete in the Ryman First Division, a Division below United, but their form is good this year and they are top having established a habit of winning.

In contrast Hastings form is a little erratic with several members of the squad struggling with injuries. Last week at Waltham Abbey they were without the injured Ade Olorunda and the holidaying Sam Adams and always looked as though they would struggle to score. In the event it was midfielder Tim Olorunda whose precision shot brought back the three points from a dour game.

Mid week Hastings entertained Sutton United and were made to look second best for much of the game and were on the wrong end of a 3-1 score line. Liam Upton scored the consolation goal, his first for the club.

Tony Dolby’s team selection will be dependent upon who has been able to shrug off injuries in time for what is a potential banana skin, with a replay scheduled mid week if the scores are level at 5 this afternoon. At least Sam Adams has returned from a week’s break, to strengthen United’s strike force

Roger Sinden for SATURDAY SPORT the Pilot Field

Match Report

Hastings United ( 1 )  Merstham ( 6 )

Having fallen to the visitor’s first attack, Hastings made an early exit from the FA Trophy in an embarrassing rout at the hands of Merstham. Hastings had no answer to the giant Leon Simpson and two orthodox wingers who destroyed United for pace on both flanks. Simpson was either unmarked at set pieces or had two or three defenders around him, creating space for his team mates. Winger Michael Gordon did the rest.

Simpson’s first header on 2 minutes evaded Nessling as he converted an early free kick and Tristan Frontin’s header on 9 minutes doubled the lead. Phillips did register for Hastings before this but the referee failed to apply the advantage and pulled play back. Jermaine McGlashan’s devastating wing set up Simpson for his second on 18 minutes effectively killing the tie.

There was a brief stirring on 28 minutes when a sort corner to Elliott saw Liam Upton’s header finish the cross to make the score 3-1 but revival hopes were destroyed by a headed goal by Tom Hughes on 33 minutes making it 4-1. A shell shocked United defence, in disarray and disbelief hesitated to allow Tristan Frontin to make it 5-1 and then United were again undone by probing wing play and McGlashan made it 6-1.

 It is only in boys comics that a 6-1 half time deficit s are turned around d and supporters were busy searching the record books for the largest home defeat in United’s history.

Curiously the second half was goal less with United having more of the play and with their defence shored up by Sean Ray, but were never likely to have repaired the damage and preventing Trophy elimination

Roger Sinden at the Pilot Field for SATURDAY SPORT  where it finished
Hastings United ( 1)  Merstham ( 6 )