Hastings United v Waltham Abbey - Saturday 10th October 2009

Pre Match Report

“I’m Roger Sinden here at Capershotts, Waltham Abbey where today Hastings United make their first ever visit to Waltham Abbey”

It was a good week for Hastings United with a well merited home win last Saturday against visitors Hendon, in a somewhat one sided match. The score of 2-1 flattered the visitors whose first shot on target gave them their consolation goal deep in stoppage time. Hastings goals were scored by Ade Olorunda and Lee Carey and both strikes were well executed and early goal of the season contenders. The three points consolidated United’s fourth place position.

Hosts Waltham Abbey took all three points at Cray Wanderers, maintaining their decent away record. It is their home record which is somewhat lacking with just a single point from five starts and  four defeats. As a consequence the Essex side are fourth from bottom and are finding the going tough having been promoted to the Premier Division last year.

Hastings lost Ade Olorunda towards the end of the game last week and Michael Phillips did not make the starting line up at all, so the final selection today will depend upon the degree to which injuries have responded. A pleasing aspect of United’s form this season is their commitment and willingness to keep the momentum to the final whistle. Defensively they are also looking more solid.
It is clear that Dartford will be run away champions but it does leave four playoff places to realistically compete for. In order to maintain momentum, defeat must be avoided this afternoon.

Roger Sinden for Saturday Sport at  Capershotts, Waltham Abbey

Match Report

Waltham Abbey  ( 0 ) Hastings United ( 1 )

A depleted Hastings United side, without the injured Ade Olorunda and the holidaying Sam Adams, needed to field an experimental strike force in their first visit to Waltham Abbey. Versatile Scott Ramsey partnered Matt Maclean up front but goal chances were at a premium in what was a poor advertisement for Ryman League football.

 Hastings United started brightly enough and forced two early corners, the second of which saw Steve Elliott’s header blocked on the Abbey line. Hastings were in control and the redeeming feature of this poor game was the only goal of the match on 22 minutes. Matt Maclean found Tim Olorunda some 20 yards out and he sided footed with precision inside the far post. Liam Upton latched onto a through ball and volleyed wide of the post. Tom Bailey, for the Abbey, forced a diving save from Greg Nessling on 30 minutes in their first effort of the game. Nessling had a sound match and his handling was generally sound and he commanded his penalty area confidently.

Play was much scrappier in the second period and Hastings lost their way. Waltham Abbey had much more possession but lacked the killer punch in front of goal. Their best chance fell on 70 minutes when Josh Jirbandey missed an interception and Josh Cooper saw his shot  strike the post for the home side. Dayo Oshitola was following up and his deflected shot struck the same post and was then hacked clear for a corner.

The referee’s whistle was a welcome relief with Hastings maintaining their good away form and a poor Waltham Abbey side with only a single point from six home starts.

Roger Sinden at Capershotts, Waltham Abbey where it finished

Waltham Abbey ( 0 ) Hastings United ( 1 )