Hastings United v Harrow Borough - Saturday 2nd October 2010

Pre Match Report

I’m, Roger Sinden here at the Pilot Field where Hastings United entertain Harrow Borough

After promising early season  form when supporters were already dreaming of success in league and cup competitions, a run of four successive defeats has brought United down to earth with a bump. Having taken a two goal lead in the FA cup away to Bognor Regis they slipped to a 3-2 defeat and this was then followed up by league defeats against Sutton United, Bury Town and most recently Concord Rangers.

That  last crushing  three goal defeat was accompanied by a serious injury to United skipper Sean Ray which is likely to side line him for several weeks. The match also saw the sending off of goalkeeper Clark Masters, who serves a one match ban mid week, and the departure of Anthony Storey to Horsham.
Manager Tony Dolby has moved quickly to strengthen his squad and midfielder Nick Barnes joins from Walton and Hersham and is available today.

Dolby will be seeking to settle an unhappy squad down, which is understandably lacking in confidence, and restore United to winning ways. Ray is obviously unavailable for selection today.

Visitors  Harrow Borough have gained three victories from 8 starts and sit just below United in the league table and will obviously provide stern opposition this afternoon.

Roger Sinden for Hospital Radio Hastings at the Pilot Field

Match Report

Hastings United ( 2 )  Harrow Borough  ( 0 )

Emerging from a poor run of four consecutive defeats Hastings did enough to secure maximum points against visitors Harrow Borough. Despite enjoying better possession for much of the game it was only late in the second half when the result was made safe.

Hastings played a lone striker in Ade Olorunda, with Logan and Cade wide on either flank, in a slightly more defensive formation to protect a defence that was missing the injured Sean Ray.
As the first half wore on Hastings created better goal opportunities and on 28 minutes Olorunda headed directly at goalkeeper Nick Jupp from an Eldridge free kick and Olorunda again went close when a surging run on the left by Cade and centre, saw Olorunda shoot  wide.

For the visitors Dewayne Clark cut in just before the break but his long shot just drifted over the bar.

 Despite the glimmerings of hope the game threatened to be goalless. In driving rain, United finally broke the deadlock on 68 minutes when a corner by Russell Eldridge was firmly headed home by Ade Olorunda and confidence visibly returned to the side. Not content with the narrow margin Hastings soon made the game safe. Good work on the left flank by Ade Olorunda on 75 minutes set up Russell Eldridge whose centre was headed firmly goal wards by Michael Phillips from 6 yards. The ball struck the underside of the bar and rebounded against goalkeeper Jupp’s leg before crossing the line.

Harrow Borough surged forward in vain towards the end and united were content to defend in depth to ensure that their bleak league and cup run of defeats was finally broken.

Roger Sinden at the Pilot Field for Hospital Radio Hastings where it finished
Hastings United ( 2 ) Harrow Borough ( 0 )