Match Reports

Newport IoW v Hastings United

Leatherhead v Hastings United

Hastings United v Walton Casuals

Dulwich Hamlet v Hastings United

Hastings United v Banstead Athletic

Cray Wanderers v Hastings United

Horsham v Hastings United

Hastings United v Tonbridge Angels

Kingstonian’s play off aspirations were finally extinguished in a rousing end of season match in front of the season’s best crowd of 588. Needing a win to secure sixth spot, they could only share the points in a fluctuating match in which both sides finished with ten men.

Kingstinian’s Scott Corbett opened the scoring on 10 minutes with a header, which had been set up by Richard Taylor’s long throw. Danny Williams quickly equalised for Hastings three minutes later when Duncan McArthur’s corner was spilled by goalkeeper Hughes under pressure, and the ball was rammed home. On 24 minutes Russell Eldridge put Hastings in front at the second attempt after he was set up by John Bradley.

Referee Meilack, a showman whose love for the whistle and attention marred the game, awarded a free kick on the edge of the Hastings area. The kick crashed against the wall and Tony Reid drilled home through a ruck of players.

Duncan McArthur was the pick of the Hastings players and he notched the game’s best goal on 40 minutes to nudge Hastings back in front. Exchanging passes with Russell Eldridge he then picked the ball up surged into the box and tucked it away from a narrow angle with a delicate lob.

The result of the game hinged on the referee’s decision that Matt Piper had handled on 67 minutes and James Rose equalised with the resulting penalty, although a retake was necessary because of encroachment. There was still time for misses at either end and for early baths for both Julian Sills and Tim Olorunda, both for two cautionable offences in a breathless finale that left both sides feeling disappointed they had not won

A single first half goal was sufficient to give promotion seekers Tonbridge all three points but in truth they were rarely in danger of losing this local derby. Hastings got off to the worst possible start when Jon Main’s probing run was unceremoniously ended by Jimmy Elford’s challenge and a penalty conceded.

Tony Dolby crashed home the resulting penalty after 8 minutes.

For the majority of the match Hastings were second best but there was a five minute purple patch when rewards might have come their way. Russell Eldridge and John Bradley both had efforts cleared off the line and a reasonable appeal for a penalty was turned down when Duncan McArthur went sprawling in the area.

These skirmishes around the Tonbridge goal were isolated incidents and at the other end Tonbridge player of the year Ray Powell hit the bar with a venomous shot.

The highlight of the second half, which saw Tonbridge maintain their vice like grip on the game was a superb save by Chris may on 63 minutes when he spectacularly tipped Powell’s header over the bar.

For the second successive Saturday a goalless Hastings never lacked perspiration or commitment against opponents, but their inability to convert chances to goals meant that they saw their play off hopes virtually extinguished.

Every member of the squad gave their all and the Hastings crowd responded vocally in the dying minutes, but it was never going to be sufficient. It was particularly galling as Fleet had been reduced to ten men on 44 minutes when Nathan Smart was sent off for his second cautionable offence.

Duncan Mc Arthur was back after suspension and omission and looked the most likely man to break the deadlock. He worked tirelessly in midfield and symbolically it was his shot right at the death, which went straight at goalkeeper Paul Smith, which on another occasion would have been the winner. He was also unfortunate in the first half to see a looping header drop onto the top of the bar, with the goalkeeper well beaten.

The list of potential scoring chances is too great and painful to go through. In the end the key headline is that for a second successive week a goalless outcome has cost the club dear.

 It was a tale of contrasting fortunes at the goal less Fawcetts Fields with the home side’s point making them safe mathematically from relegation, but for Hastings it was a matter of two points dropped. They will now need to improbably win  their remaining four matches to get a cherished play off place.

It was a shapeless uninspiring first half display with both sides over relying on the long ball, but with the Hastings defenders seeing more of the action. Russell Eldridge was set up by Marc Whiteman on 31 minutes but his shot was blocked for a corner. The ensuing kick saw  Sean Ray’s header nestle on top  the goal net.

Throwing caution to the wind in the second half United introduced a third striker, Ade Olorunda and at that point they looked the more likely side to score. The downside was that it left gaps at the back and United were always vulnerable to the counter attack. In the closing minutes a Russell Eldridge corner was placed nicely in the six yard area, where Hastings players lurked in numbers, but the clearance meant that play off prospects were rapidly waning.

Having dominated the first half, and with only one goal to show for it, it was a more even nervy second half for the home side. It was a critical match against play off rivals Croydon Athletic. Manager Nigel Kane reckons that 75 points will secure a play off place and today’s victory saw United edge closer to that target, and above Croydon.

Ade Olorunda drew early blood on three minutes following a throw in from the left. He had time to control, take a pace then drill into the bottom corner of the net.

How Hastings failed to add to their total is a mystery. Marc Whiteman, the new signing who is a former Manchester United trainee, looked sharp and saw two good efforts almost do the trick just before the break. His header went straight at goalkeeper Garrard and then a low shot flew past the post.

Croydon had greater ambition in the second half and at one point forced four successive corners as they pressed for an equaliser. Sean Ray marshaled the defence with a typically battling performance and he contrived to head wide of the bar on 75 minutes when well placed from an Ellis cross.

The final whistle brought relief to the Hastings hopeful, but not before a probing run from Whiteman and then a stinging shot from Danny Spice were thwarted, and Russell Eldridge blazed over an unguarded net.

Fortune continues to smile upon Hastings United’s play off run in, when they secured their sixth win in seven games at rain swept Leylands Park.

Hastings were scarcely in the game and their defence appeared to lead a charmed life. Chris May performed wonders in the Hastings goal and Burgess Hill’s Ashley Jarvis was chief culpritwith a shot wide of the post on 33 minutes and then he hit the post just two minutes later. The only attack that Hastings could muster at the other end was Olorunda’s which went tamely to the goalkeeper.

The writing seemed to be on the wall on 62 minutes when the home side’s pressure finally paid dividends. Jarvis shot on the turn from twelve yards and the ball flew into the top right hand corner.

Belatedly United enjoyed their best spell when stung into action on 72 minutes. New boy John Bradley fired in from the edge of the area for his first goal in United’s colours and then Olorunda’s drilled shot inside the post on 79 minutes clinched an improbable victory.

The team’s slithering celebrations across the mud was an indication of their commitment to rescue something from a difficult season and their relief at having got out of jail this afternoon.

Hastings United maintained their good run in with an eventually convincing win over visitors Molesey, who played over half the game with only ten men. It was an untidy game on a drying pitch, swept by a spoiling blustery wind. Despite the numerical advantage, it was only in the last few minutes that the goals began to flow.

Hastings had absorbed much of the early pressure, defending against the swirling wind and had difficulty in getting the ball out of their half. There was a flurry of goal mouth action just before the break. Russell Eldridge had a shot blocked, as did Olorunda and then in a melee of players, a shot from Danny Williams was adjudged to have been handled by defender Lee Richardson on the line. He was shown a straight red card and leading goal scorer Sam Adams comfortably drilled home the ensuing penalty.

The second half provided the opportunity for Hastings to hold possession to coax Molesey from their defensive formation, but there was always the fear that the slender lead may not be enough.

Hastings finished in style however, firstly with a shot from Jimmy Elford on 80 minutes, after being set up by Sam Adams. Elford’s shot from the edge of the area crept in by the foot of the post. It was left to Ade Olorunda to finish with the goal of the match when his ferocious shot flew in from the underside of the bar, to seal the match with style.

To have already lost once this season against relegation threatened Newport was careless enough. To have done so again this afternoon would have been nothing more than shocking. Maybe that's why Ben White's late equaliser was greeted with scenes of such jubilation, both on and off the pitch, despite the fact that the point it earned United will have been of little benefit to their play-off challenge.""A simply awful first half display could have seen United go in four down at the interval. Shaun Taylor had a shot cleared off the line and another hit the bar, before Frazer Quirke's twenty-five yard free kick put the home side ahead. Chris May also made a couple of fine saves, but the momentum swung in United's favour when Newport's Wayne Newnham was harshly sent off for a second bookable offence after thirty-eight minutes."

"Russell Eldridge levelled just before the hour mark after home keeper Alex Hards fumbled a through ball at his feet, but ten minutes later, slack marking presented Ashley Wright with a simple chance to make it 2-1. Sean Ray missed a sitter for United, but White took advantage of a defensive error to earn United a point from a game they really needed to win."

Leatherhead v Hastings United - 25th February 2006
Hastings revived their flagging fortunes with a heard earned and well deserved victory at play off hopefuls Leatherhead. They looked altogether more solid in defence than in recent weeks and were pleased to welcome back Sean Ray.

It was never going to be a classic on a day when plummeting temperatures and a blustery wind on a heavy pitch made conditions far from comfortable. Chris May, in the Hastings goal when he needed to race sharply off his line to kick clear and avert danger. Minutes later he did well to collect a dangerous cross from Marc Charles Smith. The deadlock was broken on 26 minutes when an interchange of passes between Russell Eldridge and Duncan McArthur saw Eldridge’s cross forced home from close range by Sean Adams.

Hastings defended their solitary goal lead with little difficulty but just before the break, a snap shot on the right was spilled by May and Dean Carpenter brought Leatherhead level as he punished the error.

Starting strongly in the second half after the interval, Hastings quickly stole the initiative. Russell Eldridge, wide on the Hastings left, picked out MacArthur and he danced into the penalty area, evaded a challenge, then rounded goalkeeper Dunn before finishing in style. A worthy match winning goal.

Leatherhead pushed strongly towards the end for a way back but Hastings defended in depth whilst frozen diehard supporters longed for the final whistle.

Hastings United v Walton Casuals - 18th February 2006

It was another disappointing afternoon in the mudbath of the Pilot Field but there could have been few complaints about the goalmouth action at either end on a day when defences struggled. Hastings raced into a two goal lead and looked to have the game comfortably won in a dominating first half.

Firstly Jimmy Elford’s low drive on 16 minutes took a wicked deflection to register a rare goal, and then Russell Eldridge lashed home the goal of the match on 19 minutes, off the underside of the bar.

Hastings conceded a goal on Walton’s first attack when Craig Carley broke through on the right and hammered in a shot off the inside of the post. Worse was to follow when Hastings debutant defender Luke Shand conceded a penalty and was dismissed. Chris May blocked the resulting penalty but the follow up was converted finally by Michael Cobden at the third attempt.

Ten man Hastings responded at the other end within minutes and Walton goalkeeper concede a penalty and was also dismissed, bringing both sides down to ten men. Sam Adams converted the penalty to edge Hastings back into the lead. There was no surprise however when Walton substitute Michael Carpenter attacked down the middle and made it all square at the break

The second half was an anticlimax in terms of goals, in atrocious playing conditions but chances fell to both sides. Walton’s Carpenter clinched the match on 86 minutes, having eluded four tackles and sliding the winner past May setting off further discontent among the dwindling Hastings faithful.

Dulwich Hamlet v Hastings United - 11th February 2006

The game was effectively over just after the break. A corner on the right was not cleared and Stride swivelled and shot, with the ball just entering the goal by the far post. Six minutes later Joel Greaves added a second when the defence, again regretting not clearing their lines, were helpless as Greaves hammered home from twelve yards.

Hastings had little to offer in return although a low shot from Danny Ellis was pushed wide by the diving home goalkeeper. Hastings at least finished with eleven players on the pitch, which helped their disciplinary record although inevitably McArthur and Olorunda collected cautions. There was little else positive to report on a disappointing day from a side that lacks sufficient quality players.

For the third successive week Hastings were reduced to ten men through the dismissal of defenders in the second half and therefore it was no surprise that United finished pointless once again. It was Hastings who had exerted the early pressure gaining corners on either side which Duncan McArthur delivered but the visitors had a goal keeper David Elm of Goliath proportions who caught everything cleanly in the air.

The visitors began to exert more pressure and took the lead on 17 minutes. A lofted ball into the penalty area created confusion and left Chris May stranded and Preston tapped into an unguarded net. Good work from May however on 34 minutes kept the deficit to one at the break with a good diving save low to his left. At the other end Ray’s header and Mc Arthur’s drive both went wide.

Hastings looked brighter in the second half whilst still lacking penetration. Ben White averted danger by resorting to tripping an opponent on the edge of the area on 70 minutes, and there could be no complaints that, as last defender, he was dismissed. Having apparently escaped the immediate danger, Hastings were dealt the appropriate justice when Dave Wakefield bent the ensuing free kick around the defensive wall.

There was no way back for ten man Hastings and they drifted into another home defeat with scarcely a whimper.

It was a bad day all round when Hastings were decisively beaten by cash strapped Banstead Athletic in a performance which had home supporters longing for the final whistle. The nightmare began on Banstead’s first attack after three minutes when defender Danny Spice deflected a low cross from the right into his own goal.

If this was not enough Ben White’s suicide back pass was underhit on 20 minutes and Mitchell lobbed the ball over the advancing May. Ray’s trip on Mitchell inevitably conceded a penalty and resulted in his first yellow card. Mitchell converted the penalty under the diving May who did well to get a hand to the ball.

A rapid response three minutes later saw Sam Adams score from the narrowest of angles having rounded Parkinson, his shot being adjudged to have crossed the line by the well placed referee.

A promising start was needed in the second half if points were to be gained but the dismissal of Sean Ray for his second cautionable offence, following a foul on the edge of the penalty area, left the Hastings

defence ragged and shapeless . Mitchell made it 3-1 just moments later when he latched onto a long ball and touched it past the advancing May, with the cover non existent.

A brief rally from ten men Hastings came on fifty nine minutes when a penetrating run from Duncan MacArthur saw him hit the target from almost twenty five yards with a low drive.

Any chances of a sustained revival were blown away by goal hungry Simon Mitchell when he added two further goals on sixty seven and eighty five minutes bringing his personal match tally to four.

With the score at 5-2 referee Cooper awarded a compensatory penalty when Ellis went down and Adams made it 5-3 on the final whistle. Don’t be fooled by the scoreline, for long periods Hastings were just awful and were made to look ordinary by one of the division’s mediocre sides.

Two second half goals, in an increasingly niggly match, saw United maintain their recent improved form and clinch a double over Cray for the second successive year. The first half was a dreary affair and with Hastings playing with a lone striker, there was little goal mouth action. Chris May, in the Hastings goal caused some heart flutters with erratic kicking and one poor clearance was intercepted but the ensuing long range effort from Matt Lee drifted high over the unguarded goal.

The second half was altogether more entertaining and the opening goal caused the game to become much more open, with chances at both ends. On 50 minutes a Duncan McArthur chipped free kick was volleyed by Sean Ray, who had joined the attack, and he finished powerfully from 6 yards.

With the home side pressing for an equaliser the Hastings defence led a charmed life and on two occasions goal bound efforts were cleared from the line. Another poor clearance from May struck an opportunistic Cray forward and just went wide.

The game become increasingly more petulant, not helped by an inconsistent display by referee Gavin Hoare, and on 87 minutes Cray’s Matt Lovell was shown a straight red card for kicking out to Olurunda. As he made his way from the pitch, Danny Spice became involved without reason, and he also received his marching orders. A mid pitch melee broke out and touchline officials rushed onto the pitch to join the action.

In the dying seconds of stoppage time, Hastings made the points safe. Wes Lopez delivered a perfect corner by the near post and Danny Ellis, under pressure from a defender, scored with a diving header. With growing consistency Hastings may still have play off aspirations over the last third of the season.

Horsham ( 0 ) Hastings United ( 0 )
2nd January 2006

Defending against the slope in the first half the visitors enjoyed the better possession and were rarely in trouble, although Horsham pressed hard just before the break. Gary Charman saw a header comfortably saved by Chris May and at the other end Shaun Loft set up Doug Loft, forcing Gary Elliott to race from his line to collect the ball.

Horsham were at their most dangerous just before the break when May made a diving save from Gary Charman and then a reflex close range parry from the ensuing corner.

Both Doug Loft and Wes Lopez were influential in the Hastings midfield and always looked dangerous.

With the slope advantage in the second half Hastings were comfortable when defending and had isolated chances to snatch all three points. A break from Steve Yates saw him blaze wide when through on goal and Ben White’s header looped over the bar.

Supporters had to endure several minutes of nail biting stoppage time as Horsham threw caution to the wind but a workmanlike and disciplined performance got its just rewards.

Hastings United ( 0 ) Tonbridge Angels ( 3 )
10th December 2005

Hastings United ( 0 ) Tonbridge Angels ( 3 )