Jordan Woodley's freekick

Sudbury shines in Sussex rain

Saturday 2nd November 2013

Hastings United 0-1 AFC Sudbury

Who would believe that it was a year ago this weekend when Hastings United saw off Bishop’s Stortford 2-1 in the FA Cup First Round Proper? Now United were looking to see off Ryman Division North high-flyers AFC Sudbury in the second qualifying round of the FA Trophy. United still had Sean Kelly and Tim Olorunda banned, but still had Brazilian striker Rodrigo Branco. With Joni Richardson joining Rye during the week, the left back position was filled  by Andy Corrigan. Could United see off Suffolk’s Sudbury, or would United fall at the second hurdle? Liam Willis reports.

Twenty seconds after kick-off, Sudbury’s Daniels hit the crossbar with Pelling beaten – Daniels drifted in a cross and the ball beat Pelling and came back off the cross bar. Straight from the clearance, Pogue made a fine low cross for United, but that was easily cleared.

The rain started hammering down at this point and some poor defending from Sudbury allowed Sam Adams’ cross to find an unmarked Kenny Pogue who made more space, but could only shoot directly at Archer and it was cleared. Sudbury’s decent play from  from the clearance saw Mitchell played in to possession to unleash a strike from range moving through the air, such that Pelling could only gather it on the second attempt. Sudbury continued to cross; Pelling’s failure to gather a cross led to the pull back to Watson, whose shot  just shaved the top of the crossbar.

The best chance for United came from a freekick, won by Branco. Taken by Adams, Archer was beaten as the ball bounced off the top of the crossbar. United finished the half on top, with the final opportunity coming from a Danny Ellis shot, cleared by Shinn’s header. All square at the break, still all to play for.

United had little to shout about in the opening thirty-five, yes, thirty-five minutes of the second half. Sudbury took the lead after fifty-one minutes thanks to Baker. Mitchell was allowed acres of space down the right hand side, and a simple cross allowed Baker to head in at the far side.

Jordan Woodley then replaced Branco in the hope the game would liven up a bit. Ben Judge was then replaced by Sam Crutwell as a result of the elbow to Judge’s head, which earned Clarke deservedly a yellow card. With little to shout about during the majority of the second half, the game came to life in the final fifteen minutes with the realisation from United that they were heading out of another cup competition.

Pogue was released down the right hand side with Sam Adams in space in the penalty area. Pogue worked hard and crossed to Adams, who delayed the shot so much that he allowed a tackle and the ball went out for a corner. From the corner, Sam Crutwell’s header was denied by the hand of Archer, who excelled himself to get down well to his left.

United piled on the pressure in the little time remaining; Woodley’s thirty-yard effort was palmed away for a corner, which was then wasted and cleared, but only as far as Matt Darby, who burst through the middle and was taken down just outside the penalty area. Woodley took the freekick and Archer watched it sail four yards over his crossbar.

As the clock ticked beyond ninety minutes, Thompson broke clear of the United defence with some brilliant individual skill. Thankfully for United, Andy Corrigan appeared from nowhere to get the crucial block that denied Sudbury from doubling their lead. Second later, the referee from Leigh-On-Sea blew the whistle for full time. So, no tremendous cup run in the FA Trophy either for United this year, as Sudbury defeat them by one goal to nil and make it through to Monday afternoon’s draw.

United starting XI: Pelling, Slocombe, Corrigan, Darby, Judge, Hare, Ellis, Gilbert, Pogue, Adams, Branco.
United subs: Woodley, Henson, Cruttwell, Cumming-Bart.

Sudbury starting XI: Archer, Lewis, Mitchell, Shinn, Crane, Henshaw, Daniels, Clarke, Baker, Watson, Cowley.
Sudbury subs: Cawley, Carus, Swatman, Thompson, Swallow.

Mr. Liam P Willis is also Hastings United Programme Co-Editor

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