Sam Cruttwell prepares to take his freekick

Poor United Suffer Third Consecutive Defeat

A 1-0 defeat away to Tooting and Mitcham, an abysmal performance away at Walton and Hersham on Saturday saw United suffer back-to-back defeats for the second time this season. With the words of Terry White still ringing in the players ears, United faced Chipstead, who they beat by a single goal on the opening day of the season. United were hoping to correct the wrongs and gain three points on this Monday evening, and with a full squad available, there’s no reason why they couldn’t. Liam Willis reports.

A quiet start on both accounts started with a couple of fouls, both of which were probably worthy of a yellow card at any other point in the game. The first chance fell to United’s Matt Darby, whose back heel from a cross bobbled wide. A lot of squandered possession from both sides saw a lot of fifty-fifty challenges penalised and a couple of players go into the referee’s notebook.

Another United attack allowed Matt Darby to produce a fine save from Stojsavljevic. Then, a pacey cross from Hassan found Sawyer, who was narrowly offside and couldn’t quite get to the ball. Seconds later, sloppy defending from the Chipstead back-four allowed Kenny Pogue to burst through and exquisitely lob Stojsavljevic, who was running forward anyway. Just as Pogue ran off to celebrate, he noticed the linesman’s flag was raised.

More United pressure saw an excellent challenge from Betancourt deny Sawyer the opportunity to get a shot away. United then won a somewhat dubious freekick but Cruttwell cleared Stojsavljevic’s crossbar with ease. It was all United, with chance after chance and Darby not finishing another headed opportunity, and then Sawyer not punishing the Chipstead back-four after a long ball from Olorunda split them up.

Chipstead however did have an effort, but right at the end of the first half. A decent free kick from McLeod found Joseph, but Pelling did well to keep it on level terms at half time. United played considerably better than on Saturday against Walton and Hersham, but it was 0-0 at half time in South-West London too.

With little action to report in the first few minutes of the second half, did the atmosphere need lifting somewhat? A goal, perhaps? A crunching tackle? No. Perhaps a streaker? The 306 supporters at the Pilot Field witnessed a streaker run across the pitch, but the less said about that the better – and thanks go to Pat McCrossan and Barrie West for catching the offender after the stunt.

Tim Olorunda was the first to go in the book in the second half for two fouls in quick succession. Chipstead were starting to look dangerous, and an excellent save from Pelling denied Joseph his goal. However, it didn’t take long for Chipstead to take the lead. After 69 minutes an excellent cross from Moody fell perfectly onto the head of Turl, who gave the visitors the lead. Somewhat familiar territory for United.

United nearly replied instantly. A corner from new signing, Taser Hassan led to header on to the top of the crossbar by Pogue. United’s first substitution saw Sam Adams replace Matt Darby, just before United got their best opportunity of the game – a perfect cross from Sam Adams found Sawyer in the centre, unmarked, but Sawyer could only head over from four yards.

With just under ten minutes remaining a quick Chipstead break saw Joseph break down the left, but his shot was well blocked by Pelling, whilst Jirbandey was well placed to clear off the line from Moody’s rebound. It seemed to be only a matter of time before the visitors doubled their lead and, in eighty four minutes, that’s exactly what they did, much to the embarrassment of the United faithful. Joseph was sent clean through, after a dodgy Pelling clearance. After a clean run Joseph skipped past Pelling and laid off an easy finish for Moody.

United’s final, and double substitution saw Woodley and McCreadie replace Olorunda and Hassan. Woodley and McCreadie made an instant impact, Woodley’s corner was met by the head of McCreadie, in the dying moments, and Stojsavljevic did exceptionally well to tip it away.

Only seconds later the referee blew the whistle to hand United their third successive defeat and somewhat slash the play-off hopes once more. United can still make the play offs, but three defeats in three games with three poor performances aren’t the most convincing.

United starting XI: Pelling, Vickers, Cruttwell, Olorunda, Judge, Jirbandey, Hassan, Darby, Sawyer, Pogue, O’Connor.

United subs: Adams, Ellis, McCreadie, Woodley, Henson.

Chipstead starting XI: Stojsavljevic, Gallagher, Williams, McCloud, Preddie, Betancourt, Montgomerie, Buckle, Turl, Joseph, Moody.
Subs: Charles, Knight, Willis.

Man of the Match, as nominated by Liam Willis: Tom O’Connor
Attendance: 306

Liam Willis is also Hastings United Programme Co-Editor

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