Free kick gives razor the header

The U’s Continue to Fight Relegation

Hastings United v East Thurrock United, 5 February 2013

On yet another cold Tuesday evening at the Pilot Field, Hastings went in search of their first league win since November. Defeated only once at home this season and now in the relegation battle, the U’s had it all it to play for. HOT’s Liam Willis reports.

A great early chance saw the U’s Zac Attwood go through on goal, with Justham close approaching, but Attwood left it too late, and the goalkeeper denied Hastings United a potential early lead.

Few chances were presented to both sides for the next ten or fifteen minutes – suddenly Sean Ray headed goal-wards from a corner and it was cleared off the line. Poor defending from Hastings allowed Bryant to get in on goal, faced with just East to beat, but he fired wide.

A clever ball to Suarez followed by a smart header forward to Zac Attwood, whose first touch let him down, ended alas in a goal kick. Shortly after this, a cross from Danny Ellis gave Hastings another chance. Mikel Suarez climbed about the defender to head a powerful header, but straight at goalkeeper, Justham.

A chance for East Thurrock United came from a cross from Collins. A cross from the left wing caught the wind and left East in trouble. Fortunately the deflection on the crossbar to East’s relief  went up over the top. Half time came and and no score 0-0.

Five minutes into the second half Hastings took the lead. A thunderbolt of a shot from Danny Ellis was parried by Justham into the path of Mikel Suarez for him to head into the back of the net.

A quiet period saw chances at both ends but no game-changer. The play was mostly in the middle of the park not around the penalty areas, and sloppy play from both sides was starting to frustrate the supporters. Very poor defending from Hastings caught Ray out of position such that a ball across the penalty area gave Ruel the chance to tap it in and get East Thurrock United the equaliser.

Hastings corner

East Thurrock was getting the best of the possession and the best of the action with more chances. Dee Okojie made way for Scott McDonald to make his League debut for the U’s. The rain started to ease in and the play started to get sloppier;  Zac Attwood left it too late to shoot, and a pass to Elliot Cox with plenty of room in the penalty area disappointed as he took it too far and left it too late, putting the ball wide of Justham’s post.

Lee Carey made way for Tom Vickers which brought more tempo to the game; a few encouraging words from Sean Ray seemed to give the Hastings players a boost for the final ten minutes. This boost was only good for one chance though. Lee Carey swung in a free kick, only for Sean Ray to head it over the top.

A chance at either end in the final few minutes added to the frustration for both sides, who both could have won. The referee blew the final whistle for the final result of Hastings United 1-1 East Thurrock United. Attendance was a respectable 346, so thank you to everyone who attended on a cold evening.

A game at home on Saturday will be a huge relegation fight between Hastings United and Thurrock. Both teams currently sit in and near the relegation zone and with Harrow beating Bury 3-1, Harrow increased the gap between themselves and Hastings to two points.   A precious 5-1 win for Enfield town at Cray saw them go 3 points ahead, level on points with Wingate and Finchley.

Hastings United starting XI: East, Cox, Whitehead, Carey (c), Ray, Judge, Ellis, Crellin, Suarez, Attwood, Okojie.
Subs: Richardson, Scott McDonald, Bachellier, Vickers.

East Thurrock United starting XI: Justham, Sammons, Stephen, Peddie, Wood, Parmenter, Burgess, Gilbey (c), Ruel, Bryant, Collins.
Subs: Lawson, Higgins, Menga, Harrison, Newby.

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