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Hastings United V Hendon - Sat 8th Oct 2011 Pre Match ReportI’m, Roger Sinden here at the Pilot Field where Hastings United entertain Hendon Fourth placed Hendon call in to the Pilot Field this afternoon, having suffered only one league defeat in their campaign and they are also making steady progress in the FA Cup. They are surprise early runners, with a previous reputation for mid table mediocrity, and will pose goal shy United a stern test. In contrast, Manger Jason Hopkinson shuffled his side on Tuesday night against bogey side Billericay Town, including two new names in the match squad. Starting in right mid field was Ryan Thomson and on the bench was Finnish player Jarkko Antonen. Thomson has a quiet game and was withdrawn in the second half and supporters were a little disappointed that they did not get a chance to see Antonen make his debut. The game saw Hastings finishing on the wrong end of a 2-0 score line, and in truth Billericay missed a hatful of chances and commanded the game from start to finish. To add insult to injury, the opening goal was gifted by Sean Ray when he turned an innocuous free kick past his own goal keeper. It would be churlish to heap blame on the defence as Hastings frailties are clearly up front, where goals have virtually dried up. Hopkinson is only too aware of this but finding the solution is easier said than done. Match ReportHastings United (0 ) Hendon ( 2 ) Two second half goals in two minutes were sufficient to keep Hendon in touch with the leading clubs and again underlined United’s shortcomings. Some aspects of the game, in terms of possession and approach play, saw a modest improvement in United’s performance with Josh Jirbandey looking solid at the back and newcomer Ryan Thomas industrious in midfield. It was the visitors who looked the more dangerous in the first half. Greg Ngoyi got into a good position after a well worked free kick but skied well over and then on 35 minutes should have done better when he blazed wide. Jirbandey escaped from his defensive duties when he surged forward and his long range shot cleared the bar. Hendon finished the half the stronger and did appear to score, only for a flagging Assistant to rule it out for offside. United had bright spells of pressure after the break and Ryan Thmoson was unlucky to see his shot go narrowly wide The defeat reinforced United’s frailties in front of goal whilst on this form Hendon will continue to enjoy their season. Roger Sinden at the Pilot Field for Hospital Radio Hastings where it finished |
