Hastings United v Staines Town - Saturday 28th March 2009

Pre Match Report

I’m Roger Sinden here at the Pilot Field where today Hastings United entertain Staines Town

Both Staines Town and Hastings United have compelling motives to win this afternoon in what is a crucial encounter at the Pilot Field. Staines have been chasing runaway leaders Dover all season and are looking to secure the runners up spot, after having at least guaranteed a play off place in a  mid week with a draw with Horsham.

For Hastings in contrast, today’s match has assumed major significance after a disastrous  mid week four goal defeat away to Hendon, which has increased the relegation pressure. All appeared to be well last Saturday when a determined performance at relegation strugglers Ramsgate was capped by a Sam Adams penalty securing maximum points, and edging United clear of danger. This had followed promising performances at home to Canvey and away at Carshalton, in which United were unbeaten. Tuesday’s crushing defeat against Hendon returned United to relegation danger, with just six matches to go to the end of the season.

Manager Tony Dolby has secured the services of mid fielder Michael Phillips from Tonbridge for the run in to the end of the season and he is likely to go straight into the squad for this afternoon’s match. Injuries continue to deny United the services of striker Frankie Sawyer and defender Nathan Russell and Hastings will need to be at their best in order to gain any reward against what is a strong Staines side.

Match Report

Hastings United (1 )  Staines Town ( 1 )

For the second successive week Hastings Sam Adams kept his nerve from the penalty spot and scored with confidence to keep United’s slim survival chances alive. Visitors Staines Town were a class act, prompting the “Men versus Boys” analysis, once Hastings lively start had subsided. Hastings took the game to the visitors for the first quarter of an hour but were caught out by a surprise goal against the run of play. Staines first attack saw Elliott Onoche register from 12 yards with a crisp volley, picking the ball up from a cross from the right flank.

United’s confidence visibly drained and second placed Staines controlled the game without needing to step up a gear. Hastings handed a debut to midfielder Michael Phillips and he settled well with some neat passing. The best goal chances for Hastings fell to Lee Carey in the first half, with a shot on 20 minutes clearing the bar and on 36 minutes, a long range effort from near the half way line almost caught goalkeeper Louis Wells out.

Hastings were anxious in their quest for an equaliser in the second period but rarely looked as though a goal was within their capability. The floodlights were on as black clouds hovered over the ground, reflecting the seriousness of United’s plight. When Sam Adams went to ground on 85 minutes, referee Paul Kelly pointed to the spot and Sam Adams drove powerfully home with a low drive. Bright sunshine symbolically bathed the end of the match, but Hastings are by no means out of the woods in this relegation dog fight.

Roger Sinden at the Pilot Field for SATURDAY SPORT  where it finished
Hastings United (  1   )  Staines Town ( 1 )