Tooting and Mitcham United V Hastings United - Sat 26th Nov 2011

Pre Match Report

“I’m Roger Sinden here at Imperial Fields Morden where Hastings United visit Tooting and Mitcham United.

Hastings United are in good spirits after a mixed week and travel to the Imperial Fields today with a degree of optimism.
Having been beaten at the Pilot Field by 3-1 by the very impressive visitors AFC Hornchurch last Saturday, disappointment at the Pilot Field was perceptible. A late goal from a  Zac Attwood free kick was a mere consolation, the damage having been done in the first half with two goal in two minutes for the visitors, as they moved effortlessly to a three goal lead. To cap a miserable afternoon, injured player manager Sean Ray was sent from the dugout by the referee, following dissent.

 Mid week, Hastings travelled to Canvey Island, without the injured Kenny Pogue. Although this is rarely a happy hunting ground Hastings returned with maximum points. They initially slipped behind after conceding a goal against the run of play, but having equalised also through an own goal, took the points with a late strike by Zac Attwood. This was a good all round team performance, hailed by Sean Ray as being one of the best performances  in years.

Matt Whitehead made his first start for the club and was joined also by new signing Nick Gonsalves from Metropolitan Police.
Hastings have already defeated Tooting and Mitcham by 2-1 in the Ryman League Cup and look forward with some optimism of getting at least a point. Tooting are a team in transition, having lost a number of players recently and are not enjoying the best of form with just one draw in the last five games.

Match Report

Tooting and Mitcham United  (1) Hastings United ( 2 )

Hastings United just edged this incident packed game which proved to be one of contrasting fortunes. For one half of the match, Hastings were supremely in control with a two goal cushion but the path of the game hinged on the controversial dismissal of Jordan Woodley.

 After being reduced to ten men Hastings were under intense pressure against a rampant home side, but held out for three valuable points. They edged ahead on 12 minutes when a Lee Carey free kick from the edge of the area squeezed around the defensive wall. Jack Giddens got a hand but the ball ricocheted into the roof of the net. On 24 minutes Zac Attwood latched onto Jordan Woodley’s pass and drilled home from the edge of the area.

The home side were rampant following the second half dismissal of Woodley for his second yellow card, and the home side  ran amok. Jirbandey’s trip could also have led to his dismissal but the penalty was deemed sufficient. Robinson scored with ease but the referee ordered a retake. Robinson netted again to make it 2-1 and set up a tense finale. Hastings hung on and secured three more points to follow on the heels of their fine mid week victory at Canvey Island.

Roger Sinden at  Imperial Fields Morden for Hospital Radio, Hastings where it finished
Tooting and Mitcham United(    1  ) Hastings United (   2   )