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Bedfont Town V Hastings United - Sat 22nd Oct 2011 Pre Match Report“I’m Roger Sinden here at The Orchard, Bedfont where Hastings United visit Bedfont Town Hastings United forget their recent troubled league form, where they have lost three consecutive matches and travel to Bedfont Town in the first qualifying round of the FA Carlsberg Trophy. Bedfont Town are unknown opposition and compete in the EvoStik Southern Division where they are currently struggling. Cash strapped United have had an appalling record in FA Cup and Trophy competitions of late, and as a consequence have missed out on valuable prize money. The reward for today’s match winners is £2,200. Manager Jason Hopkinson has seen some further changes to his squad, and is likely to see out of favour defender Sean Ray join Rye United on a dual registration basis. The arrival of Zac Attwood and Jamal Fenelon has given some more attacking options and cover goalkeeper Matt Armstrong Ford adds competition for the goalkeeper spot. Mid week, Hastings were at Sittingbourne in the Ryman league cup and started with Armstrong Ford between the posts. He had a solid game with United making progress by 2-0. It is today however that there is more financial incentive to emerge the winner. Match ReportAWAY MATCHES A late strike by Zac Attwood earned Hastings a replay in this drab FA Trophy Qualifying game, perpetually punctuated by the roar of airplanes climbing from Heathrow Airport. Bedfont operate at a level lower than Hastings in the pyramid but it would have been difficult to discern this from the pattern of play. In fairness Hastings approach play was good but moves so often broke down in front of goal. A couple of chances were squandered by Ben Billings but the best chance fell to Lee Carey. A low cross evaded a desperate defender endeavouring to clear and Carey contrived to miss the target from 6 yards. Bedfont looked dangerous on the break but Hastings defence held firm. Surprisingly the equally poor home side took the lead on 63 minutes in controversial manner. The ball appeared to b e headed home by a player standing on the line, and arguably in an offside position but the goal was credited to O’Sullivan who had lobbed the ball goalwards. With time running out Aaron Hopkinson was brought down on the edge of the area although he tumbled inside. The clock said 89 minutes when Attwood’s free kick beat the wall to find the net, to set Tuesday’s replay up Roger Sinden at The Orchard, Bedfont for Hospital Radio, Hastings where it finished Bedfont Town ( 1 ) Hastings United ( 1 ) |
