Sam Adams scores from free kick (photo: Liam Willis)

United reunite with three points

Hastings United 2-1 Redhill

The U’s hoped to maintain their perfect start to the Ryman League South by taking three more points from newly promoted Redhill. United were still without Ellis whose ban continues after an incident last season. Ellis and Jono Richardson will both be available on Tuesday evening, away at Burgess Hill Town. Injured Jordan Woodley is also unavailable after picking up a leg injury on Monday. Could this be 9 points out of 9 for United? HOT’s Liam Willis reports.

HUFC and Redhill at start

United’s first attack came after a sublime ball from Sean Kelly towards Jamie Crone; the touch gave him an opportunity to shoot on target. However the Duke’s save prevented this and United won the corner – taken by Sam Adams on to the head of Sean Kelly who headed just wide. It didn’t take Redhill long to have a chance of their own though, Robinson received the ball in United’s half and stuck a sweet effort from thirty-five yards – which Pelling gathered upon the second attempt.

Decent play from United saw MacLean gain possession deep into the Redhill half, a rush of bodies in to the penalty area offering MacLean the chance to cross it in. The cross met the head of Kenny Pogue, whose header was blocked and sent into the air. Matt Darby then headed towards goal and it hit the defender’s arm – the referee played the advantage and the ball dropped to Jamie Crone who smashed it in to the back of the net to give United the lead after nine minutes.

After the goal, United had the majority of the play in the Redhill half but didn’t create any significant opportunities. A lot of passes went astray from both sides and the minimal chances that Redhill created were wasted. Some wonderful play from United gave Sam Adams the opportunity to cross it in, and, upon the second attempt, the ball was sent towards the far post to Matt MacLean, whose powerful header was brilliantly saved by Greaves.

Hastings dominated the majority of the rest of the first half, seeing at least 60% of the possession and winning a freekick on the outside of the penalty area. Speculation didn’t last long over who would take the freekick and Sam Adams stepped up to take it. From twenty-five yards, Sam Adams ran towards the ball and made the shot. The ball curled and beat the keeper, touching the top right hand corner of the goal, beyond Greaves at full stretch. United had doubled their lead just before half time. United deserved their two goal cushion at half time.

Not long into the second half, Redhill turned on the steam and pushed towards the United goal. Robinson had another effort saved by Pelling – this time a sweet hit volley from the edge of the penalty area – Pelling was at full stretch to push the ball out for a corner that came to nothing. It didn’t take Redhill long to halve United’s lead though. Sean Kelly’s mistake allowed Bonnett to slip in a pass to Egan, who slotted the ball nicely past Pelling.

United replied almost  immediately – another Sam Adams corner met the head of Sean Kelly, but he headed wide, but tantalizingly close. Redhill continued to attack and started to  get the better of United. Robinson had another opportunity which flashed inches wide of Pelling’s left hand side. Redhill continued to get stronger and United started to get weaker – which allowed the game to become much more open and much more edgy for both sides. United started to defend frantically against the growing pressure from Redhill.

United’s first substitution of the game came with about twenty minutes to go – debutant Tom O’Connor replaced Matt MacLean and Bailo Camara replaced Jamie Crone. Redhill continued to strengthen and found themselves on top and United struggling – Tom Gilbert was the first booking after an unnecessary challenge at the half-way line. From the freekick, Redhill had a brilliant chance to level the scores, but it seemed that no one wanted to take the shot;  the ball was passed between a number of forwards and midfielders around the penalty area which gave United the time to get bodies back and clear the ball away from  danger and with little time remaining.

Deep into four minutes of added time, United had the chance to seal the three points, but the goalkeeper, Greaves had other ideas. Kenny Pogue was sent clear of the defenders with only the goalkeeper to beat, but instead of slotting it calmly past Greaves, Pogue tried to chip over him, allowing Greaves to get a hand to the ball and deny Pogue the goal. However, seconds later the referee blew the final whistle which gave United the win, 2-1.

United make it 3/3 wins from games, giving United the maximum points, 9/9. Only Crawley Down Gatwick sit above United in the Ryman South Table now, and that’s only by the alphabetical order. United’s next game in the Ryman League South comes on Tuesday, a 7.30pm kick off away at Burgess Hill Town. Next up at the Pilot Field, United host Ramsgate in the first of a double-bill against the Kent side.

United starting XI: Pelling, Gilbert, Henson, Olorunda, Judge, Kelly, Maclean, Adams, Crone, Darby, Pogue.
Subs: O’Connor, Shonk, Camara, L Woodley, Burbridge.

Redhill starting XI: Greaves, Duke, Kelly, Robinson, Boswell, Difford, Egan, Bingham, Gordon, Kissi, Bonnett.
Subs: M Robinson, Mittford, Briggs, Sousa Mota, Addo-Dankwa.

Attendance: 360.
Man of the Match, as nominated for by Liam Willis: Tim Olorunda.

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