2 points lost or 1 point gained?

Hastings United 2-2 Leatherhead

After crashing out of the FA Cup against Guernsey, and two wins and two clean sheets away from home, United looked to continue their good league run at home to Leatherhead. The game on Monday 30 September was their first home league game since late August. Charlie Slocombe and Suleyman Bah make their home debuts for the U’s, only days after Mark Stapley and Dane Martin were dismissed from the club, closely followed by the resignation of RGN Michaelle Churchman, writes HOT’s Liam Willis.

There was a special minute of applause to show respect to United volunteer Percy Vandepeer who passed away in his sleep on 19 September. In honour of Mr Vandepeer, the Flower Of Scotland was played. This was closely followed by a presentation to Sam Adams on his 300th appearance for the U’s.

Sam Adams had the brightest start for the U’s, connecting a pass with Suleyman Bah allowed Adams to get a shot away from the edge of the penalty area, which forced a smart save by Ibrahim down to his left hand side. United seemed to dominate play for the first fifteen minutes only for Leatherhead to take the lead with United’s poor defending. A ball was fired into the penalty area, which met the thumping head of an unmarked Ian Draycott whose header went in after crashing against the crossbar, giving Josh Pelling no chance.

Leatherhead seemed to have the best of the play for a few minutes after – a good effort from Kevin Terry from the edge of the penalty area was comfortably saved by Pelling. United’s Sean Kelly was looking for three goals in three games following goals against Herne Bay and Walton Casuals – Kelly nearly got this but his shot from the corner was blocked by Jeff Riley.

United’s pressure then told, when Sam Adams unleashed a left footed shot in a congested penalty area which went right in to the top right hand corner of the net, leaving Ibrahim stationary. The goal came from a corner by Jordan Woodley and the ball bounced around the area before falling to Adams. United’s equaliser came after twenty-seven minutes, just eleven minutes after going behind.

United seemed to attack and come in floods against a steady Leatherhead – Danny Ellis managed to dance his way past a number of defenders, closing down on goal before eventually winning a corner – well tried, but no goal.  Jordan Woodley then shot from the D, but Ibrahim was equal to it.

United‘s second half started with a substitution, with Richardson coming on in place for Suleyman Bah. Not a lot happened until mid-way through the second half when United won a penalty, thanks to Ibrahim bringing down Fobi-Edusei. Ibrahim, in some people’s eyes, was lucky to stay on with only a yellow card. It was only because Fobi-Edusei was going slightly away from goal that Ibrahim stayed on the field. Sam Adams dispatched the penalty safely, sending Ibrahim the wrong way.

Leatherhead didn’t let the goal put them down and they most certainly didn’t become complacent. Tom Bradbrock made a good run towards goal and thumped a shot towards goal, which Josh Pelling palmed away for a corner. The corner was taken and a header from Kevin Terry was cleared off the line by Tim Olorunda – United safe for now at least.

United made another substitution, with Kenny Pogue replacing Jordan Woodley. Leatherhead added to the pressure  – Eisa unleashed a shot from distance, which produced a fine save from Pelling. With five minutes of the ninety plus stoppage time to go, Leatherhead were dominating the game. When United had the ball, they flowed with their passes and still continued to look strong, but Leatherhead kept strong and compact and ready to punish United if they could.

Four minutes of extra time was added at the end of the ninety and John Maggs made his final substitution of the game. Tom Gilbert came on to replace Tim Olorunda. United looked as if they would have the tie wrapped up, when a breakaway saw Kenny Pogue cross to an unmarked Fobi-Edusei, who had moved on to the right wing when Jordan Woodley was taken off.

However Fobi-Edusei could only head down at the floor, which gave Ibrahim the opportunity to catch the bounce. From the resulting drop-kick, Leatherhead broke away. A dangerous and shaky looking United defence, allowed Draycott to curl a shot past Josh Pelling from twenty-yards. A ninety-second minute equaliser from Leatherhead dismayed United.

Some considered United’s performance to be good and equal to a good Leatherhead side but others said that United were lucky to get a point.  So, was it two points dropped or one point gained?

Hastings Utd starting XI: Pelling, Slocombe, Fobi-Edusei, Darby, Judge, Kelly, Ellis, Olorunda,Woodley, Adams, Bah.

Subs: Gilbert, Pogue, Richardson, Corrigan, Burbridge.

Leatherhead starting XI: Ibrahim, Riley, Obersteller, Smith, Plean, Nnamani, Terry, Senmakula, Bradbrock, Draycott, Eisa.

Subs: Tait, Burchell, Downs, Kaylmbe, Parkinson.

Man of the Match, as nominated for by Liam Willis: Josh Pelling

Attendance: 407

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