Hastings Corner

Another Point for the U’s in the Bitter Cold

Tuesday 22nd January 2013
Hastings Utd v Cray Wanderers.

On another very cold night at the Pilot Field, there was no forecast of snow, but the 247 spectators would be able to tell you otherwise. Following the pitch inspection at 3pm, the game was given the go ahead against Cray Wanderers.

The only game this day in the Ryman Premier started slowly, but with Cray Wanderers having the first chance. A header at the far post from Willy was well saved from Liam O’Brien. Nevertheless, it didn’t take long for Hastings United to have a chance of their own, Goldberg found Attwood in space, who turned, shot, beat the goalkeeper – but also beat the goal with the shot going centimetres wide.

A corner for Cray was ‘ping-ponging’ around the penalty area, and United seemed to be in trouble when a shot was taken by Bremner, – a smart save from Liam O’Brien kept it out, but only parrying back into the danger zone for ex-united defender Tyrone Sterling to fire wide.

Later an incredible fingertip save by Liam O’Brien kept out a Phillips shot at the far post from a dangerous inswinging free kick. As the danger went on, the weather got worse. The 22 men out there playing in a low-visibility blizzard, and during this period, Hastings went close. First Goldberg’s cross shaved the crossbar, and Tom Vickers’ shot went just over from twenty five yards.

A Cray corner that United failed to clear produced another shot that was saved incredibly by the reflex of O’Brien keeping United in the game. The United fans in the Cole Warren Stand began singing ‘We Always Sing When Its Snowing’ and this seemed to give United a lift; Goldberg shot in vain – another saved. But the lift for the players only seemed to last a couple of minutes, until Cray were awarded a controversial penalty. A foul by debutant Ben Judge gave Bremner the chance to put Cray ahead just before half time, which he did. Bremner safely dispatched the penalty, which sent O’Brien the wrong way. Seconds after this, Jack Dixon went down off the ball, and after a lengthy delay, he was stretchered off. Unfortunately, no one is sure what happened, but he was taken to hospital during the half-time interval, seconds later.

Dee Okojie replaced Jack Dixon at half-time and the second half started slowly. The second half saw a lot of cold snowfall and passes going astray from both sides on a slow pitch. Danny Ellis was replaced by another debutant Adrian Stone for Hastings United.

Hastings United put lots more pressure on Cray, but with little outcome. On the break, Cray forced another superb double save from O’Brien to keep United in the game. In the 80th minute, Bradley Goldberg used his good footwork to bedazzle his way through a defender-packed Cray penalty area and get around the keeper, Walker, but the angle was too narrow to shoot and, noticing Zac Attwood in front and unmarked, he passed the ball across the goal for an easy tap in and equaliser for United; 1-1 with ten minutes remaining.

The last ten minute tempo increased markedly. Cray Wanderers appeared to have the upper hand with a Walker shot being denied at the feet of O’Brien. Zac Attwood ‘s chance for United was squandered at the final hurdle with a weak shot straight at the Cray goalkeeper.

The referee blew for full time and United moved up to 19th in the table. A big well done and a big thank you goes out to all of the volunteers who helped clear the pitch in preparation for the pitch inspection and for the game. Simon Rudkins, Barry West and the volunteers did well to enable the game to go-head. Attendance was a respectable 247, for such a horrible and cold evening.

Hastings United starting XI: O’Brien, Cox, Murphy, Carey (c), Judge, Richardson, Dixon, Vickers, Ellis, Attwood, Goldberg.

Subs: Manning, Stone, Okojie, Bachellier, Beckles-Richards.

Cray Wanderers starting XI: Walker, Parkinson, Pooley, Estrada, Willy (c), Sterling, Power, Saunders, Bremner, Phillips, Fray.

Subs: Day, Stavrinou, Fasunpn, Hall, Jenkins.

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