Hastings United v Staines Town - Saturday 11th April 2009

Pre Match Report

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

Hastings embark upon a challenging Easter programme this  afternoon, in which they will play two playoff contenders in the space of three days. Firstly fourth placed Sutton United visit the Pilot Field this afternoon and this is followed by a trip to third placed Tonbridge on Easter Monday. Both opponents are keen not only to secure  a play off place, but the most favourable finishing position, as this gives home advantage in the play off matches.

It has been a good week for United which has seen them move three points above the relegation zone. Firstly even the most ardent supporter will have been surprised by last Saturday’s victory over an out of form AFC Hornchurch side. Matt Maclean’s header was cancelled out in the second half when Scott Ramsay handled in the area, but a late Sam Adams strike secured maximum points.

United’s league position further improved mid week without them kicking a ball.  Three points were deducted from Harlow Town’s playing record for having played an ineligible player, sending them into the relegation zone. They became the second team in the league this season to face a points deduction and Hastings will consider themselves fortunate to have Secretary Tony Cosens, completing thirty years in that role, keeping a watchful eye on administrative matters.

Frankie Sawyer had a late run out from the substitutes’ bench last Saturday and will come into contention  after injury, but I do not expect Manager Tony Dolby to change a formation which has seen United tasting defeat only once in the last six matches.

Match Report

Hastings United ( 0 )  Sutton United ( 2 )
Hastings relegation fears returned with a vengeance following their defeat at the hands of playoff contenders Sutton United, but it could have all been different. Hastings Sam Adams will regret his fifth minute penalty rocking the underside of the bar and rebounding to safety. This after Sutton goalkeeper Paul Nicholls had felled Adams as he burst through on goal. An early goal could have made all the difference to a Hastings side who were on top in the early exchanges.

Dramatically the visitors were then reduced to ten men when West was dismissed for an apparent two footed tackle, a decision which mystified many in the ground.

Sutton’s first attack on 25 minutes saw them take the lead. Man of the match Gavin McCallum made progress on the left flank and found Laurent Hamici whose header was pinpoint and lethal. Despite this set back Hastings seemed capable of equalising with Adams going close and then Carey almost deceiving Nicholls with a speculative lob.

Despite their numerical advantage Hastings faded badly in the second half. Instead of working through midfield ij the second half they restored to the long ball, favouring Sutton’s physical presence at the back.

Charlie Side’s overhead kick looked goal bound until it hit team mate Matt Maclean in front of goal and the danger past. The game was effectively over on 68 minutes when Karin El-Salahi headed home from a corner, ensuring that Hastings supporters two further weeks of anxiety as the final chapter of the relegation tale unfolds.

Roger Sinden at the Pilot Field for SATURDAY SPORT  where it finished
Hastings United ( 0 )  Sutton United ( 2 )