Hastings United V Cray Wanderers - Sat 12th Nov 2011

Pre Match Report

I’m Roger Sinden here at the Pilot Field where Hastings United entertain Cray Wanderers

Hastings United continue to show improved results with another two wins during the week. Last Saturday, they defeated Tooting and Mitcham United by the odd goal three in the Ryman League cup, thanks to a brace by Kenny Pogue. Loan signing Jordan Woodey caught the eye in an adventurous three man attack.

 Mid week, against County League opposition Lancing, they progressed by the same score in the Sussex Senior cup  after extra time with goals from Jack Dixon and Zac Attwood, lining up an away tie against Sussex League side Crawley Down. Although the performance was far from convincing it continued a run of four consecutive wins in a variety of competitions.

Today’s opponents Cray Wanderers will provide   a sterner test and have already visited the Pilot Field this season in the FA Cup. That time they comfortably won by 3-0 with former Hastings manager Tony Dolby being part of the Cray starting line up. Cray are enjoying a successful season, currently lying sixth in the league. It is unlikely that Hastings Manager Sean Ray will tinker too much with a winning formula but new signing fullback Matt Whitehead may well come into contention having joined from Bognor Regis

Match Report

 Hastings United ( 0   )  Cray Wanderers ( 2  )

Cray Wanderers, having eliminated Hastings United from the FA Cup in September, returned to take the league points this afternoon, and there can be little doubt that they again deserved their win. They are skilful, fluent passing side and for much of the time Hastings were chasing for possession. Goal scoring chances were few and far between, whilst the visitors always looked capable of scything through the defence at will.

 In form Kenny Pogue was the man most likely to cause an upset, but having been first blocked on a run on goal he then blazed wide in the space of a couple of minutes.

 It was Lewis Perkins who opened the scoring on 33 minutes for the visitors when he contrived to get the ball under Lloyd Anderson’s body with a low shot for what seemed a soft goal. Good work on the right had created the opportunity.

The second half continued to see Cray in the ascendency and a double save by Lloyd Anderson kept Hastings from going further behind. Woodley disappointed on the flank and when frustration better of him with a retaliatory foul he was substituted.

Jamie Crellin and Kenny Pogue wasted good opportunities to snatch an equaliser but it was Cray who had the final word. Good work on the right saw the ball pulled back from the bye line and Jack Clark fired home on 90 minutes to seal the victory.

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