Leiston goalie Glyn Dixon awaits a free-kick to be taken by United's Vickers.

Make or break for United.

Hastings United FC 0-1 Leiston FC

Hastings United’s future in the Ryman Premier League has been hanging in the balance for a while, and while picking up the odd draw point every now and then is useful, it was something more they needed against mid-table Leiston – three points would give a welcome boost. The return of goalkeeper Matt Armstrong-Ford, out injured since the Harrogate Town FA Cup 2nd round replay on December 13, gave everyone a lift, but would this bring the three precious points? HOT’s football correspondent Liam Willis reports.

Hastings’ Danny Ellis had the first chance of the game. A decent run and pull-back from Zac Attwood fell to Danny Ellis, whose shot was saved and a corner given. From the corner, Sam Adams got his head to the ball, and a glance from the defender made it an easy catch for the keeper, Glyn Dixon. For a while after this chance, there was little to talk about for either team – lot of wasted efforts and passes going astray.

More attacking play soon came from United though, with a shot from Crellin followed by a half-hearted penalty appeal for handball, but nothing given, and then a shot over the crossbar from Ellis. From the Leiston goalkick, a glorious opportunity saw Leiston’s captain Head just blast over Armstrong-Ford’s crossbar when he should have done better.

Shortly after, Elvis Hammond placed the ball in the back of the net for Hastings United from a cushioned Zac Attwood header, but the goal was disallowed for offside – a correct decision. A counter-attack then saw Rhys Henry’s close-range header go wide, from an excellent ball in from Gareth Heath. Leiston continued to apply the pressure  before the break, and the best chance came from Heath, who smacked the ball from 20 yards and hit the post. Half-time came with the score still goalless.

A half-time change for United saw Tom Vickers replaced by Jack Dixon replace, who then made the difference for United. He started with a blistering run from the halfway line towards  goal, only to put a low cross through the Leiston penalty area and Attwood unable to make contact and score. Seconds later, Dixon unleashed an incredible drive, only palmed away for a corner by his namesake in the Leiston goal.

Leiston’s Henry took a shot that was deflected just wide for a corner. The corner produced a header from Wilson that was cleared off the line by United’s Jamie Crellin. Soon after, though, Leiston took the lead after 58 minutes. Matt Armstrong-Ford could only punch a corner as far as Henry, who was hanging around on the edge of the penalty area, and he drove the ball home into the back of the net.

The second Hastings substitution saw Bailo Camara make way for Dee Okojie. Dee made an impact as soon as he came on, exchanging passes with Jack Dixon and leading to a  Dixon shot which was pushed onto the post by Leiston goalkeeper Dixon. Okojie then produced a shot of his own – from an awkward position it went wide. Hastings at this point were giving all they had with only five or so minutes left and the realisation that defeat was imminent. Danny Ellis’s corner wasn’t cleared, and a good effort from captain Jamie Crellin forced Glyn Dixon to get down quickly to his right to clutch the ball.

In the dying moments Lee Carey came on for Elliot Cox, implying a back three and everyone else attacking for United. However, this tactic wasn’t to bear fruit and the referee brought the game to a close. Hastings United 0-1 Leiston.

United are now involved in a relegation battle with Thurrock and Carshalton again. Thurrock’s game was postponed and they now have two games in hand on United, while lying only one point behind. United welcome Harrow Borough for an evening game on Tuesday 19, and a three points is a must. Come along and support your local team, you never know what could happen!

Hastings United: Armstrong-Ford, Cox, Richardson, Crellin (c), Vickers, Judge, Ellis, Adams, Hammond, Attwood, Camara.
Subs: Dixon, Okojie, Carey and Cruttwell.

Leiston FC: Dixon, Head (c), Dunbar, Driver, Jefford, Boardley, Henry, Heath, Osei, Wilson, P Brothers.
Subs: M Brothers, Stone, Norfolk, Munson.

16 March 2013

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