Bury Town V Hastings United - Sat 27th Aug 2011

Pre Match Report

“I’m Roger Sinden here at Ram Meadow,Bury where Hastings United visit Bury Town

Having secured three useful points at East Thurrock mid week, Hastings have a little more reason for optimism for their visit to fancied Bury Town. The season got off on a muted note at the Pilot Field last Saturday when newly promoted Wingate and Finchley won by a single goal, and could even afford the luxury of a missed second half penalty.

Manager Jason Hopkinson made four changes mid week for the visit to East Thurrock United and was rewarded with a more energetic and direct performance. Lee Carey was unavailable through injury, and Jack Dixon on holiday, with both Wes Tate and Fred Foremen relegated to the substitutes bench. Hastings played with a lone striker, and a five man midfield, and worked hard. Matt Hall again caught the eye and was rewarded with a first half penalty and striker Kenny Pogue’s late goal will have lifted his confidence.

Expect a similar approach tactically at Bury this afternoon, for whom Roy Essandoh is playing this season. Essandoh achieved national notoriety when he scored a late FA Cup quarter final winner whilst representing Wycombe Wanderers. Bury have made a mixed start having won away at Horsham last Saturday, then slipping up at home by a single goal to Hendon Town.

Match Report

Bury Town  ( 5 ) Hastings United ( 0 )

Hastings United were well beaten on their travels in Suffolk this afternoon in an embarrassingly one sided encounter. Trailing by two goals at the interval they rallied briefly but fell apart badly to the delight of the home supporters.

The home side opened the scoring as early as 10th minute when a long range shot from Kieron Leabon beat Lloyd Anderson inside the post and on 31 minutes Lee Smith added the second. He picked up a flighted cross field ball and chipped his shot past the advancing Anderson. In bizarre weather conditions, with bright sunshine, heavy rain, hail, thunder and lihtning, Kenny Pogue went close just before the break when his low drive was cleared for a corner.

After the break Pogue wasted a clear chance when he had a free header but failed to find the target. That effectively signalled the end of the resistance and an exchange of passes enabled Sam Read to make it 3-0 from close range. Jamie Crellin’s error saw him lose possession in the penalty area and Russell Short made it 4-0, again  from close range. As the game concluded in bright sunshine, Bury tore at the dispirited Hastings defence but they only registered once more through Craig Nurse.

A comprehensive rout for United and manager Jason Hopkinson will need to perform magic to raise morale before Margate’s Bank Holiday visit to the Pilot Field

Roger Sinden at Ram Meadow, Bury for Hospital Radio, Hastings where it finished
Bury Town ( 5 ) Hastings United (0 )