Billericay v Hastings United - Saturday 7th March 2009

Pre Match Report

“I’m Roger Sinden here at  New Lodge, Billericay where Hastings United visit Billericay Town

Unpredictable Hastings United frustrated supporters last Saturday in their solitary goal defeat at home to bottom club Heybridge Swifts and increased relegation worries in dropping three precious points. Manager Tony Dolby, who has yet to register a win in the six matches since his return to the helm, reacted quickly by signing Steve Elliot from Lewes on a loan basis. Elliot was an impressive player in his loan spell at the Pilot Field last season and his arrival was well received by supporters.

On Tuesday, Hastings served up a much improved performance against play off contenders Dartford and were perhaps unlucky to share the points in a goalless match. Worryingly, the goals have dried up for Hastings who have not scored for three matches. This is a far cry from the match against Billericay Town earlier in the season when Hastings romped to a 5-2 win, with Frankie Sawyer netting all five goals.

Definitely unavailable this afternoon is defender Danny Spice who begins a two match suspension and Dolby will need to clarify if goalkeeper Greg Nessling has recovered from a back injury or whether Jani Seitsonen retains his place in goal.

Roger Sinden for Saturday Sport at New Lodge, Billericay

Match Report

Billericay Town  ( 1 ) Hastings United ( 0 )

For the third consecutive Saturday, United were defeated by a single goal and for the fourth successive match the team have failed to score a goal. These bleak statistics indicate that all is not well in the battle against relegation.

Billericay looked as though they would take United apart in a lively opening spell in which they took the lead after only two minutes. Their first attack resulted in a corner on the right and the low delivery was forced home by Lynvall Duncan from close range.

Billericay could have doubled their lead on 5 minutes when a corner from the other flank was headed goalwards by Heffer, but Seitsonen pushed the ball acrobatically over for a corner. It was then the turn of Billy Bricknell to bear down on goal but his wayward shot cleared the bar.

Injuries to Franklin and Sawyer led to substitutes and disruption but United steadied when a rout looked on the cards. Hastings rarely threatened in a more even second half and then only from corners and free kicks. Seitsonen, covering for the injured Nessling, excelled in goal for Hastings but was fortunate when Woods- Garness rounded him as he raced from goal, but failed to score from an acute angle in the unguarded net.

Hastings looked most likely to score in the final fifteen minutes and Ben Radley went closest with a powerful header. Billericay held out with little difficulty and with games running out, Hastings will look anxiously tonight at the results and wonder where the next goal is coming from

Roger Sinden at New Lodge, Billericay for Saturday Sport
where it finished
Billericay Town ( 1 ) Hastings United ( 0 )