| Tooting [H] |
Hastings United v Tooting & Mitcham - Saturday 12th February2011Pre Match ReportI’m Roger Sinden here at the Pilot Field where Hastings United entertain Tooting and Mitcham There were promising signs within the club this week that United may be turning the corner and there are possibilities that the drop can be avoided. Last Saturday’s excellent point at promotion contenders Lowestoft was a huge boost for morale, United were equal to their hosts, and actually took the lead through Sam Adams before an error at the back enabled Lowestoft to share the spoils. It was a promising performance with a lot of good football in evidence, and is something to build upon. Today’s visitors Tooting and Mitcham are running into some decent form themselves and coincidentally entertained Lowestoft mid week, and went one better to secure all three points, In the corresponding fixture at Imperial Fields in October, the Tooting and Mitcham played out a 1-1 draw. Whilst a win today would be a ideal, as one has not been recorded since October 2, a point is the absolute minimum. There are 15 fixtures remaining and a decent run in is essential for United. The impressive and hardworking loan signing George Porter has a shoulder injury and manager Jason Hopkinson will shuffle the pack in the bid to score goals this afternoon Roger Sinden for Hospital Radio Hastings at the Pilot Field Match Report Hastings United ( 3 ) Tooting and Mitcham ( 2 ) Hastings won their first game since October against 10 man Tooting and Mitcham and gave their long suffering supporters something to celebrate at last. Nightmare defending in the last few minutes almost let the visitors back into the game, who also missed a penalty in an eventful finale. It was the penalty spot that helped United on their way when a foul on George Porter on 19 minutes by Osa Obamwonyi sent him sprawling in the box. Sam Adams scored with ease with a low shot with the resulting penalty. On 27 minutes Obamwanyi handled in the area and the defender was given his second caution. Tooting were reduced to ten men and Adams tucked his second penalty away. The visitors were quickly back in the game after the break when Sealey made progress down the right flank, with no challenge made and Jamie Byatt hit the cross into the net to reduce the arrears. The game seemed safe on 53 minutes when George Porter was set free and he slid the ball past the advancing Butler to make it 3-1, celebrating with a double somersault Tooting were themselves awarded a penalty when Ross Sutton handled in the area but Chalmers Stevens parried the resulting kick. Despite their numerical disadvantage, Tooting continued to press and it was no surprise that they made it 3-2 when Karl Beckford made up for his missed penalty, when he scored from close range. There were no further goals in a tense stoppage time, resulting in three precious points Roger Sinden at the Pilot Field for Hospital Radio Hastings where it finished |
