Danny Ellis is booked

The U’s Fight For Points

Hastings United v Thurrock – February 9th 2012

A must win game for The U’s against fellow relegation dogfight battlers – Thurrock was a big game for both sides. Without a league win since November, Hastings had a lower placed team to battle it out against. One point between the two separated them before the game, would it be the same after the game or would there be 3 points for Hastings United or Thurrock? writes HOT’s Liam Willis.

The game started slowly, with both teams conceding silly free kicks, which led to little chances that weren’t taken. Controversially Hastings’ Danny Ellis was booked for what looked to be a 50:50 challenge; however the Thurrock defender, Stimson, came off slightly worse. The first shot of the game came for Hastings United, from the boot of Ellis, which soared over Hughes’ crossbar and into the net above The Cole Warren Stand.

Great play from United saw Matt Whitehead come within inches of his first goal for the club. A thunderbolt of a shot from the corner of the penalty area produced a great reflex and fingertip save from Hughes in goal. The corner was taken by Lee Carey, which swung in and straight into the back of the net. As he ran off to celebrate, the referee made the signal that the goal had been disallowed, much to the displeasure of the team and the fans. The goal was disallowed because Hughes the goalkeeper had been impeded, but that was a ghastly decision and the goal should’ve stood.

The U’s took this in their stride and attacked with more intent, with Suarez’s header being pushed over the crossbar. For a while after this, no significant chances came in the way of either team, and a lot of sloppy balls were played from flank to flank. Crunching challenges came from both sides, followed by a bit of drama from the victim.

Thurrock failed to capitalise on some unnerving defending from United and a mistake from Whitehead, with East not gathering a cross along the floor, leaving Danny Green the chance to slot the ball past East, but the pressure proved to be too much for him, and from 4 yards he put the ball wide. This though, worked in United’s favour. A good attack from Attwood produced a corner that was swung in by Carey that met the head of Suarez, who thumped it in to the top right corner to give United the lead after 37 mins.

Little happened between the goal and the second half. Most of  the play was in the middle of the pitch, but Danny Ellis used sublime ball control to weave through the Thurrock defence and shoot from range. A comfortable save from Hughes denied United a two goal lead at the break.

The second half started slowly, with the first chance coming for Thurrock. A shot from  Pavett pounded East, who made the save look easier than it must have been. Thurrock continued to attack, and started to give the Hastings United back four some trouble. Griffin dragged a shot wide after Hastings failed to deal with a corner. Danny Ellis again ran the ball upfield and found space, to fire his shot wide.

Thurrock on numerous occasions and rarely in favour of Hastings, which started to annoy the fans and the players. One of these decisions for Thurrock, they took and took it well. Poor defending again from United saw Paxman hit one from twenty yards which curled into the corner, giving Daniel East no chance. At this point, everything looked all too familiar for the regulars at the Pilot Field, with United looking uncomfortable and losing a lead again.

After East conceded, he started to look more comfortable. He saved a few good shots, including a dangerous direct free kick. A rare free kick was given to Hastings United, to ironic cheers from the fans. The free kick was taken by Carey which seemed to confuse the Thurrock defenders and was headed out for a corner, which was then wasted. Minutes later. A great ball from Ellis saw Attwood inches away from a header which skimmed his head. Another rare free kick given to United, was again met with ironic cheers. It was struck by Carey over the top of the crossbar, Hughes watching on comfortably.

Four minutes of added time only saw Thurrock have the best chance to win it. A header with half an open goal went over the crossbar. The referee blew the final whistle and ended the game in yet another draw for the U’s. man of the Match was given to Danny Ellis, who thoroughly deserved the award. Attendance was a good 461, so thank you to everyone who came along to support.

Hastings stay sitting in 20th place in the Ryman Table, two points above Thurrock and a point below Harrow Borough. Carshalton Athletic stay rooted to the bottom of the league, with a 4-2 defeat at Canvey Island and Harrow Borough stay in 19th after losing 3-1 at home to Leiston. League leaders Whitehawk lost 2-1 to play-off chasing Margate, but there was one game in the Ryman league that stood out above the rest. 12 goals in 90 minutes came from Kingstonian. Very rarely does a team score 9 in a game, but Kingstonian managed to beat Cray Wanderers 9-3.

Hastings United starting 11: East, Cox, Whitehead, Carey(c), Ray, Judge, Ellis, Crellin, Suarez, Attwood, Vickers

Subs: Camara, Okojie, Richardson, Bachellier and sub keeper Matt Cruttwell.

Thurrock starting 11: Hughes, Jones, Ebsworth, Guest, Turpin, Thurgood (c), Green, Walster, Imbert, Stimson, Honesty.

Subs: Griffin, Paxman, Jeffries, Pavett, Viner.

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