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Police's Butler organising wall to defend Zac Attwood's free kickRobbed by the Police!

Robbed by the Police!

March 26th 2013

Hastings United 1-2 Met Police.

Last time these two sides met, on 10 November, United lost 4-0. With a potential home advantage on a cold Tuesday evening, the U’s could try to steal the points back, but the Met Police stood firmly in their way. The aptly named Met Police player, Billy Crook, played in midfield this evening. Now the promising Elvis Hammond’s United loan spell had expired, Attwood and Dixon made the front two, writes HOT’s Liam Willis.

The Met Police made the first opportunity of the game in the early stages. Newton came in from the right, shooting on target, but the save was comfortable for Armstrong-Ford. The first effort for United came from a freekick, from Zac Attwood. A decent position though saw the freekick hit the wall and deflect wide.

United got away without conceding, after a blistering run from David Knight saw him break away from United’s defence, only to fluff his lines as the ball went straight at Armstrong-Ford; the goalie couldn’t handle it cleanly and put it straight into the path of Collins, who wasted a perfect chance to give the Police the strong arm.

Decent midfield play from United saw Danny Ellis gain possession, wind round the defence with only Police keeper, Jamie Butler, to beat. A left footed shot allowed Butler to get a fingertip at it and keep it out.

End to end play saw United and the Met Police have chances, but nothing to headline. Met Police’s Collins gained possession, ran and drove a shot low and hard against Matt Armstrong-Ford’s upright from twenty yards. Half time soon followed, United 0-0 Police.

Danny Ellis tried a shot from just outside the penalty area, but it was comfortable for Butler. United continued to apply the pressure. Sam Adam’s ball released Murphy on the left hand side; his cross found Jack Dixon, who fired over. United was then awarded a freekick for a foul on captain, Carey. Struck by Jack Dixon, it was parried by Butler but, with no United follow up, it was cleared.

It all looked to be the same for United, until a stroke of luck came in their favour. Danny Ellis’ corner was met high by the powerful and deserved head of Jack Dixon, who gave United the lead after nearly an hour. However, three minutes later, it was the same old story from United – the Met Police stole an equaliser. The goal was faultless from the Police’s point of view. Newton beat Matt Armstrong-Ford with a thumping strike from twenty-five yards, although United arguably shouldn’t have given him enough space to strike.

Good play from Attwood and Dixon up front brought chances, but without a notable result. United had been on top, until the Police grabbed the equaliser, which seemed to give them a lift and turn the play slightly in their favour. A penalty shout from United, after Attwood tumbled, failed to impress the referee.

Police full-back Reynolds made a blistering run down the right hand side, bearing down on United’s goal. He got into the penalty area and chipped into the path of Collins, whose header was cleverly denied by Matt Armstrong-Ford. However, it didn’t take long for the Met Police to regain possession of the ball and split United’s defence. Watkins went past United defender, Ben Judge with ease and with Armstrong-Ford forced to rush forward, he squared the ball to Collins, who rolled it into the back of the net. Hastings United 1-2 Met Police, with little over five minutes of the ninety to play.

Jamie Crellin and Rory Murphy made way for Tom Vickers and Dee Okojie just before a generous five minutes of injury time, which saw Vickers come only inches away from stealing a share of the points. The referee brought the game to a close, the Police having robbed the points, Hastings United 1-2 Metropolitan Police.

All concerns for United, as a rare Carshalton Athletic win against off-form Harrow Borough saw them move to within a point of United at the bottom. United still have to play Carshalton at the Pilot Field, Carshalton now with 25 points and United with 26 respectively. Thurrock losing to Hendon keeps the gap at three points, but United’s season and self-belief has now never been more important.

A pre-match award was presented to United forward Zac Attwood, who made his 100th appearance for the U’s since his debut in 2008 against Ramsgate.

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

Met Police: Butler, Simtin, Reynolds, Sutherland (c), MacDonald, Dollery, Clayton, Crook, Knight, Collins, Newton.
Subs: Taylor, Watkins, Tait, Lovett and Daly.

Attendance: 219

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Posted 09:56 Wednesday, Mar 27, 2013 In: Sport

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