Footie for the Hotties!
HOT is delighted to introduce its new reporter, Liam Willis, a football enthusiast who has been going to the Hastings United games for about 5 years. Liam will be writing reports on Hastings United FC games including the upcoming Middlesbrough match. Here is his first report:
Tuesday 1st January 2013. Hastings 3-3 Lewes.
Debut for Ian Daly- picture courtesy Hastings Observer
The All-Sussex derby always promises to be a momentous occasion for both clubs, and this game didn’t disappoint! A Hastings United debut for Ian Daly, an Irish centre forward for the U’s signed from Bromley. The game got off to an exciting start with Nathan Crabb breaking past the Hastings’ defence just to drag his shot inches wide. After only 13 minutes, some skill from Bradley Goldberg as he got past a few defenders and laid a pass to United’s Dee Okojie to give Hastings United a lead. Only three minutes later, Lewes found an equaliser from a big hole in the Hastings’ defence, which left George Crabb clean through on goal, only to produce an excellent save from George Howard, but right into the path of Jack Walder who slotted home for 1-1.
Lewes has more possession for quite a while after this, and seemed to be on top. A corner came in and met the head of Beckford, but he missed the target. Jack Dixon made a defence-splitting pass then to Bradley Goldberg who used his superb control to twist past a defender and chip over the goalkeeper, only to hit the post and go out for a goal kick. From this, Lewes took the ball and, a couple of minutes later, a shocking miss by Crabb kept the scores on 1-1. Crabb made a complete mess of heading in a fantastic inswinging cross from Dollery.
A bit of pressure from United saw Lewes concede a harsh penalty for handball against Walder. Bradley Goldberg stepped up and converted the penalty for a 2-1 lead in the 36th minute, despite the goalkeeper getting half a hand to it. Only four minutes later Lewes got a thunderous equaliser – an impressive 25-yarder from Simon Wormull went straight into the corner of the goal, beating George Howard. 2-2 after 40 minutes. The ball went up and down the pitch, until Scott Manning grabbed a goal to put United 3-2 ahead just before half time. Jack Dixon’s corner was headed downwards by Manning and blocked by Thorp – Ian Daly’s follow-up shot was then cleared off the line out to Dixon, who crossed over again for Sean Ray to head at goal. Thorp saved very well, but Scott Manning was quick on hand to get up and head in the fourth attempt.
After half time, Lewes were very much on top and made a substitution – Layton Schaaf is on for Walder. The game was end to end, and Hastings United’s Matt Whitehead went into the referee’s book, which is unusual for Matt. Soon after, Jack Dixon went inches wide from a two goal cushion after an Elliot Cox cross.
Lots of counter attacks for both sides, but the chances were squandered at the final opportunity and this led to the first substitution for Hastings as Lee Carey replaced Danny Ellis after 73 minutes. A gap in the Hastings defence seemingly saw Lewes’ Godfrey clean through, only to have a goal scoring opportunity taken from him with a superb challenger from Hastings United’s player-manager Sean Ray.
Soon after this, a penalty was awarded to Lewes for a challenge from last-man Scott Manning, which saw him red. This penalty was safely dispatched by Beckford to equalise for Lewes. 3-3 after 78 minutes. With 10 minutes remaining, Dee Okojie made way for Jono Richardson. More counter attacks for both sides and a few tasty tackles, but the referee let a lot go during this match. As the match comes to a close, Elliot Cox limped off to be replaced by Tom Vickers who, minutes after coming on, made a crunching challenge going straight into the referee’s notebook. Lewes’ Brinkhurst was brought down in the penalty area by yellow-carded Matt Whitehead, only for the referee to shake his head at the penalty appeals and continue with the game. Donaghey was cautioned for dissent at that point.
Man of Match - picture courtesy Hastings Observer
Man of the match went deservedly to Bradley Goldberg for Hastings United, as the referee blew the full time whistle and gave United their 7th consecutive draw in the league. Hastings United 3-3 Lewes.
United starting XI: Howard, Cox, Whitehead, Crellin, Ray, Manning (c), Ellis, Dixon, Okojie, Daly, Goldberg.
United subs: Carey, Richardson, Vickers, Jirbandey, Abbott.
Lewes starting XI: Thorp, Brinkhurst, Dollery, Walder, Breach (c), Donaghey, Godfrey, Dunne, Crabb, Beckford, Wormull.
Subs: Stubbings, Strong, Schaaf, Kay.
By Liam Willis
aged 17. Born and bred in Hastings, Liam is an intense Tweeter and a lover of all genres of music from Slipknot to Frank Sinatra. Badminton player. Fisherman. Runner. Big tea drinker. Comedy lover. Currently studying Catering & Hospitality, GNVQ Business and ICT at 6th Form. See also his match report in Famously Hastings
Match highlights are available to watch at http://unitedinnumbers.co.uk/
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