Harrow Borough V Hastings United - Sat 24th Sept 2011

Pre Match Report

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

Hastings United look to shake off their hangover after their customary early FA Cup defeat, this time by 3-0 at home to Cray Wanderers last week. Apart from a disappointment to the dwindling number of Hastings fans who might have had dreams of FA Cup glory this is a financial blow to the club, who were looking to boost their income through prize money. Scoring goals is proving problematic, despite United’s attempt to build patiently and to play  a decent passing game

Hastings young side needs to be strengthened and Manager Jason Hopkinson is likely to look to the loan market to do so. However there is no definite news that new players are on their way as yet and as a result Hopkinson will need to look to their current squad, that might be further depleted by injury to striker Kenny Pogue.

Hosts Harrow Borough are also having a troubled season with just one win from seven starts and sit three places below United. Manager Hopkinson has set the team a target of two wins from their next two away matches against struggling sides, and fulfilment of this will keep them above the relegation zone

Match Report

Harrow Borough  ( 1 ) Hastings United ( 1  )

Hastings earned a useful point at Earlsmead Stadium this afternoon, and at one stage looked as though a rare win was on thecards. Their threadbare squad was tested to the limit with Jack Walder and Scott Manning unavailable and Aaron Hopkinson withdrawing early through injury in the second half.

Both sides had clear cut chances in the opening exchanges with the home striker Ofari Acheampong heading wide when well placed and then missing his kick completely when close in, in front of goal. For Hastings, Jack Dixon cut in having eluded the offside trap but his low shot failed to test Pope. Minutes later Fred Foreman chased a long ball but Pope was quick out of the box to clear safely.

The deadlock was finally broken on 71 minutes in unlikely circumstances. A foul on George Jones saw Hastings in a useful position for a free kick, and Pope mishandled Sutton’s low drive and it crept over the line. This horror goal against the home side looked as though it might hand all three points to Hastings, but a late strike by Jon Jo Bates shared the spoils.

He latched onto a through ball to touch it past the advancing Anderson inside the post. Hastings survived three minutes of added time and were rewarded with a useful point.

Roger Sinden at Earlsmead Stadium for Hospital Radio, Hastings where it finished
Harrow Borough ( 1 ) Hastings United ( 1  )