Hastings United Football Club

United’s Front Men Seal Win Again

Saturday 7 December 2013

United’s 3-0 win over Margate mid-week, would have filled them with confidence and they would relish a match against Three Bridges, who before this sat in 22nd place. Goals at Margate came courtesy of a double from Bailo Camara before Pogue put the icing on the cake against the Ryman Premier side. United last played Three Bridges last year in the cup and became victorious as the sides shared ten goals, with United winning 6-4 on a very cold November evening. With United’s confidence and the difference in the league table, Liam Willis reports on the evenings at the Pilot Field.

United started the game strongly and took the lead with the first real chance of the game, after only eight minutes. A  freekick was needlessly conceded on the right hand side, which allowed Sam Adams to whip in a sublime ball to meet Kenny Pogue’s head at three yards for a head down out of the reach of goalkeeper, Grant.

United seemed to become somewhat complacent after the goal and let Three Bridges see more of the ball – this nearly backfired on United when Fenwick tried  a shot on goal from twenty-five yards, but forced Pelling in to a smart save, low to his left.Tom Vickers stepped up the pace of the game and gave United many chances. Firstly, Vickers drilled only a little wide from a shot just out the box, and then he crossed in for McCreadie, whose outstretched leg failed to make decent contact while the ball  dribbled wide.

Seconds before half time, Three Bridges seemed to be living on the edge. A goal for United just before half time would give them a lift, but, when Kenny Pogue escaped down the right and delivered a perfect ball for Trevor McCreadie to score his tenth of the season, the ball was swept away by an excellent bit of defensive work from Sampson Djimali just as the referee blew the whistle for half time.

United seemed to keep the pressure on just after half time, when another superb clearance from Brake denied McCreadie from doubling United’s advantage after another cross from Pogue. Three Bridges had chances of their own though; Grant’s clearance from a United attack found it’s way to Romain, who shot at Pelling and the goalie needed two attempts to gather the ball. It soon became apparent that United were on the back-foot and that Three Bridges looked most likely to score next to level the scores.

They nearly did when Romain’s volley went just over the crossbar after going out of Pelling’s reach. Lots more of possession in the middle of the park saw United nearly double their advantages seemingly out of nothing. Once again, Pogue’s cross to McCreadie was good, but McCreadie’s outstretched leg didn’t make contact with the ball, which bobbled away out for a goalkick. United’s first substitution saw Olorunda replace Pogue after a series of yellow cards for both sides. United then had a couple more decent opportunities, but failed to put the ball in the back of the net.

Firstly, Sam Adam’s volley was tipped round the post by Grant, the McCreadie’s chip dropped inches wide of the post with Grant beaten and stuck in no-man’s-land. During three minutes’ added time,  a nervous United tried to defend a frantic penalty area scramble ending in a clearance by Ben Judge. The final chance of the game proved to be golden but in vain; A beautiful cross from Garrod on the left found Peauroux unmarked in the area, but the ball was headed safely over, just before the referee blew for full time.

United had the win and stayed top of the Ryman League South Division. Peacehaven & Telscombe, Leatherhead and Walton Casuals remain United’s closest rivals at the top of the league, with Peacehaven & Telscombe winning 3-1 away at Whistable, Leatherhead winning by a single goal against Herne Bay and Casuals being held to a 1-1 draw by Merstham. United visit Maidstone in the Robert Dyas Cup tomorrow (Tuesday) evening.

United Starting XI: Pelling, Slocombe, Gilbert, Darby, Judge, Kelly, Dolan, Adams, McCreadie, Pogue, Vickers.

Subs: Olorunda, Ellis, Woodley,  Henson, Corrigan.

Three Bridges Starting XI: Grant, Djimali, Brake, Robets, Leach, Maxwell, Peauroux, Daniel, Romain, Fenwick, Garrod.
Subs: Attwater, Touray, Parsons, Golding.

Liam  Willis is also Hastings United Programme Co-Editor

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