| Tooting & Mitcham (H) |
|
Hastings United V Tooting and Mitcham United - Sat 5th Nov 2011 Pre Match ReportI’m, Roger Sinden here at the Pilot Field where Hastings United entertain Tooting and Mitcham United It’s been a much better week for Hastings United with two league victories in succession and the managerial vacancy filled by the appointment of Sean Ray as player Manager with the assistance of Mark Stapley The visit last Saturday of troubled Horsham saw Hastings end their goal drought with a comfortable 5-0 win with goals coming from Kenny Pogue (2), Zac Attwood, Jamie Crellin and a Lee Carey penalty. The match left Hastings supporters bewildered as to why the score line was not even more emphatic, as United over ran a side reduced to nine men in the later stages of the game. Then on Monday night Hastings travelled to Aveley, another side fighting relegation and a second half strike from Lee Carey saw United take a further three points, hauling them up to a more comfortable mid table position . Sean Ray said that it was the response of the players that prompted him to accept the managerial vacancy. With both Hastings and Tooting without a league fixture as intended opponents are involved in FA Trophy action, a rearrangement sees both sides seeking to make progress in the Ryman League Cup, a competition normally taking place mid week. Tooting and Mitcham United have a similar league record to United but will be hoping to shake off the aftermath of a 5-1 drubbing at table topping Billericay Town last Saturday Match ReportHastings United ( 2 ) Tooting and Mitcham United ( 1 ) With three consecutive wins Hastings supporters at last have something to cheer in what has been a generally bleak season. Although league points were not at stake, progress to the next round of the Ryman Cup was the reward. Hastings continued their more adventurous format of 4-3-3 and were quickly ahead. Jack Dixon’s teasing cross from the right was headed home by Kenny Pogue on 4 minutes, the ball looping in under the bar. On loan Jordan Woodley had two shots narrowly wide as the home side continued to control the game. Tooting snatched a surprise equaliser on 37 minutes when Andre McCollin beat Matt Armstrong Ford with a low drive from 20 yards, somehow finding the net near the foot of the post. The second half was a different affair and Tooting threatened for much of the period. With the prospect of penalties beckoning Hastings again took the lead. A superb cross field ball from Woodley found Kenny Pogue at the far post and he fired powerfully home. With four minutes of stoppage to play, Hastings chose to hold possession and play the clock down, but despite this danger man Woodley again went close, drawing a fine save from goalkeeper Jack Giddens Roger Sinden at the Pilot Field for Hospital Radio Hastings where it finished |
