Harrow Borough v Hastings United - Saturday 13th November 2010

Pre Match Report

I’m Roger Sinden here at Earlsmead Stadium Harrow where Hastings United visit Harrow Borough

Hastings United travel to Harrow Borough today on the back of one of the poorest runs of form in living memory and desperate to get back to winning ways. Indeed Manager Tony Dolby must be worried as to where the next win is coming from in a nightmare run  in which he has needed to do without the services of two of his most influential players Sean Ray and Ade Olorunda.

Happily Ray has now returned to fitness but the loss of leading goalscorer Olorunda  continues. Last Sunday at Kingstonian United got off  to a bright start but defensive lapses saw an impressive Kingstonian side storm to a three goal interval lead, although John Beales did notch a consolation header in the second half. United lost by 3-1

Mid week saw Carshalton Athletic visit the Pilot Field and take all three points with a late goal in a 1-0 home defeat.
Today’s hosts in contrast are enjoying a successful season and fought their way to a home tie  against Chesterfield in the First Round of the FA Cup, eventually losing 2-0 to the league side.

There was no sign of a Cup hangover mid week when Harrow got back to winning ways with a 2-0 league success.

Hastings supporters , who have been dwindling in numbers in recent weeks, are desperate to see a reversal in fortune this afternoon.

Roger Sinden for Hospital Radio, Hastings at Earlsmead Stadium, Harrow

Match Report

Harrow Borough  ( 2 ) Hastings United ( 2 )

Despite an improved performance in an entertaining game, Hastings inability to holds on to leads cost them dearly. Twice they took the lead and seemed to be on the way to victory, only to see their hosts peg them back again.

 Hastings weathered an early storm with a succession of corners in the opening minutes from the home side, but Hastings came back into the game. Jamie Cade hit the inside of the post after good work by Olorunda. Hastings finally took the lead on 85 minutes when Sam Adams controlled and turned with his shot creeping inside the post.

With the first half in stoppage time, Borough were on level terms when Troy Hewitt hammered a low shot from the edge of the area which Chalmers Stevens could only parry into the roof of the net.

Hastings retook the lead in the second half when a flowing move put them ahead again after sustained pressure on 69 minutes. Jimmy Elford’s perfect cross found Michael Phillips unmarked at the far post and he headed home from close range.

It looked as though Hastings were heading for a much needed win when again they conceded. McGonigan’s close range header on 77 minutes somehow managed to squeeze inside the post when Chalmers Stevens seemed to have the danger kept at bay. A valuable point, but Hastings are still scrapping at the wrong end of the table.

Roger Sinden at Earlsmead Stadium, Harrow for Hospital Radio, Hastings where it finished
Harrow Borough  ( 2 ) Hastings United ( 2 )