Teams at start

A Predictable Outcome?

Hastings United v Hampton and Richmond Borough

March 2nd 2013

The last game of Daniel East’s loan spell at Hastings today, from Brighton and Hove Albion. Hampton and Richmond borough at the start of the game sat in 13th place, winning only one of their last five. Back to back victories for Hastings, against Cray Wanderers in the league and a win against Cawley Town in the cup, suggested that the form was good and the morale was good. Hampton had the chance to start their party, or ruin Hastings’. HOT’s Liam Willis reports.

In the first ten minutes of this game, both sides kept giving the ball away and were unable to retain possession for any more than four five passes. The first chance came to Hampton, however, two fine saves from East in the space of a couple of minutes kept the visitors at bay, and the first shot from Hastings came from the boot of Elvis Hammond, but soared over the crossbar.

More squandering of possession from Hampton allowed Hastings United to counter attack with more players going forward than Hampton had back. Dee Okojie won the ball and surged forward, bearing down on Chiweshe’s goal, to find Sam Adams in space to his right – his shot went straight at the goalkeeper much to everyone’s disappointment.

It didn’t take long though for Hampton to have a chance or two of their own. East first saved quickly to his right to deny Moone, and then to his left to push Holloway’s volley wide of his upright. Another chance for Hampton came from Simmonds, who thumped the post from about twenty-five yards out and Daniel East beaten. No more chances came from the second half, with little to shout about for both sides.

Elvis Hammond had the first two chances of the second half and for Hastings United. One shot from Hammond was good and went for a corner, and the second was sliced at the post.

The best chance of the game came to Hampton and Richmond Borough’s Moss. A good breakaway from Hampton caught Hastings off guard and gave Holloway the chance to play a good through ball into Moss, who only had Daniel East to beat. Bearing down on goal and with an onrushing East, Moss sidestepped East well, and only had the goal at his mercy. He swung his foot and made contact with the ball, but the contact wasn’t good enough, and a shocking miss – the ball rolled wide.

A double substitution for the U’s saw Dee Okojie replaced by Jack Dixon, and Sam Adams replaced by Danny Ellis. For a while after this, the game was scrappy and no significant chances were created. A Hampton free kick was headed out by Ben Judge, but directly to Holloway in space, who dragged a sweet volley wide. Shortly after, Hastings were awarded a free kick from thirty yards, which Jack Dixon blasted over.

A chasing Balio Camara won the ball well, and ran into the penalty area, to strike but was denied as it went straight at Chiweshe. Balio then ran to catch the rebound, only to go down under a challenge from Chiweshe – the referee just shook his head at the strong penalty appeals. However, Jack Dixon struck the follow-up and this way cleared off the line and a half hearted clearance was again straight to Dixon, who curled a sublime shot. Chiweshe was at full stretch to keep it out and deny the first goal of the game. The corner from this was headed straight to in-form Danny Ellis, who shot from about twenty-five yards, but again it was straight at Chiweshe.

Three minutes of added time only saw scrappy challenges and continual losses of possession. The referee blew the full time whistle, to give Hastings United their third consecutive clean sheet and a point. Many people at the game would have predicted a goalless draw halfway through the first half, myself included.

Struggling Thurrock had a 3-0 win over Harrow Borough, and all other teams around the U’s lost. Hastings still sit in 20th place with 26 points, but only three points separate 20th place and 16th place. Hastings face high-flying Lowestoft on Monday evening away. Lowestoft drew 0-0 with league leaders Whitehawk today, and remain in 6th place.

Hastings United starting XI: East, Cox, Murphy, Carey (c), Richardson, Judge, Okojie, Adams, Hammond, Attwood, Camara.
Subs: Dixon, Ellis, Freeman, Matt Armstrong-Ford.

Hampton and Richmond Borough starting XI: Chiweshe, Kamara, Bray, Jeffreys, Powell (c), Hickey, Turner, Holloway, Moone, Moss, Simmonds.
Subs: Bettamer, Cousins, Taggart, Wain, Brown.

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