Canvey Island v Hastings United - Saturday 2nd April 2011

Pre Match Report

I’m Roger Sinden here at the Brockwell Stadium, Canvey where Hastings United visit Canvey Island.

With just six matches to go in the run in to the end of the season, Hastings continue to maintain a position just out of the drop  zone and last Saturday’s battling point at Sussex rivals Horsham was invaluable in that respect. The turning point of the game was when Horsham were reduced to ten men, after which Ollie Rowe equalised and Hastings looked the more likely to take all three points. The bonus was that mid week matches went in United’s favour and they are five points clear of Croydon Athletic, the next chasing club.

Hastings face a stern test in their visit to sixth placed Canvey island, who are making a late claim for a playoff place. Manager John Batch has issued a rallying call to home fans to up their vocal support in the run in, on a ground where Hastings have not enjoyed favourable results over the years.

Hastings Manager Jason Hopkinson has to choose playing a lone striker, with five in midfield, or a more adventurous formation with Kenny Pogue partnering George Porter up front. Hastings have improved significantly of late but today’s match along with coming visits to table topping Tonbridge and Kent rivals Tonbridge will challenge their resolve and capability significantly.

Roger Sinden for Hospital Radio, Hastings at the Brockwell Stadium, Canvey

Match Report

Canvey Island  ( 2 ) Hastings United ( 2 )
Hastings secured another valuable point against an impressive play off chasing Canvey and for much of the game it seemed that their luck might have delivered all three. It was a curious first half with Hastings going in at the break with a 2-0 leading after mounting only two or three attacks. On 11 Minutes lone striker George Porter chased a long clearance and tumbled in the penalty area. The referee awarded a penalty which Sam Adams converted with confidence with a low drive in the corner. Hastings then rode  their  luck minutes later when Danny Heale lobbed the advancing Seb Barton but the ball bounced in front of the unguarded goal on the hard surface and then bounced over the bar.

Canvey netted shortly afterward but the linesman’s flag ruled out the effort. A rare counter attack on 36 minutes saw Hastings go two goals up. Mid fielder Harry Beautyman’s long range effort squeezed through the fingers of James Russell and rolled over the line for an unlikely goal.

It was the turn of Hastings goalkeeper Seb Barton to be found wanting after the break with questions being asked about both Canvey goals. He thought that Matt Game’s shot was going wide , so he left it, only to see it squeeze inside the post. In the dying minutes Danny Heales touched home a cross from the right, with questions again being asked about Barton.

With 5 minutes stoppage time added, Hastings pressed forward and Harry Beautyman spurned three clear  goal scoring chances , with Hastings needing to settle for a hard earned point.

Roger Sinden at the Brockwell Stadium Canvey for Hospital Radio, Hastings where it finished
Canvey Island ( 2 ) Hastings United ( 2 )