| Canvey Island [H] |
Hastings United v Canvey Island - Saturday 29th January 2011Pre Match ReportI’m Roger Sinden here at the Pilot Field where today Hastings United entertain Canvey Island Hastings United are making the record books for all the wrong reasons as their current winless run is their worst in 25 years. The misery continued last Saturday when a visit to fellow seasiders Margate resulted in a 2-0 defeat. Although Hastings enjoyed plenty of possession they lacked the killer instinct and the selection of defender Sean Ray to lead the attack did not significantly improve United’s goal scoring potential. Just 48 hours later, United were on the road again and this time then went down by 2-1 to fellow strugglers Wealdstone, with United securing a consolation goal through defender Josh Millwood. Millwood’s loan spell comes to an end today and he returns to Leyton Orient. For today’s fixture at home to Canvey Island Sam Adams and Jimmy Elford return after injury to give much needed experience and the squad also includes defender Ollie Rowe from Chelmsford City. Whilst Manager Jason Hopkinson has done well to freshen the squad there is a pressing need to reinforce his strike options rather than including an additional defender. So Hastings look to break the miserable winless run against a Canvey side that is having its own form problems on the road. What can be certain is that whatever the outcome there will be no off air sexist comments about female match officials that the so called Sky experts seem so prone to. Roger Sinden for SATURDAY SPORT the Pilot Field Match Report Hastings United ( 0 ) Canvey Island ( 1 ) Two poor sides served up a mediocre match on a freezing afternoon, with the sides ultimately separated by a first half penalty. The result continued United’s appalling run of form and ended Canvey’s poor away record, greeted by the travelling fans at the end of the match. It looked so promising early on for United when Sam Adams cross was palmed away by goalkeeper James Russell as Sean Ray moved in. On 15 minutes Adams had a shot blocked and following up Ben Davission hit the post. Looking back this was United’s best spell other than a late flurry and they fell away badly after the Canvey goal. On 20 minutes Hastings defender Josh Millwood was spotted by a flagging official to have handled in the penalty area and Craig Davidson scored off the inside of the post to edge the visitors ahead. The game should have been sewn up before the break when Danny Heale contrived to head over the unguarded net from 6 yards. The second half was a disappointing affair and Hastings lacked the urgency and quality to get back on terms. The most clear cut opportunity fell in injury time when Sean Ray made good progress down the left flank before crossing and Adams and Beautyman had efforts scrambled off the line in kick succession and also hitting the post, with supporters wondering wondering just how the goal remained unscathed. Roger Sinden at the Pilot Field for SATURDAY SPORT where it finished |
