Sunday's game isn't a gimme by any means ... They loat 4-2 last night to Erith and Belvedere but are capable of scoring ... Won their first two games comfortably !!! I think it'll be tight
So much for Regionalisation! surely they could have found clubs much closer to home.
Its only the 1st Qualifying round as well with the prospect of a 360 mile round trip!
Job done is about all you can say about today as Hastings put in a mediocre performance against a pretty dreadful Cray team.
Played on a beautiful playing surface and in a strong swirling wind it was really surprising to see Hastings resort to a lot of long ball and direct tactics when it was plain to see it was a day for keeping it on the deck. Perhaps this was due to the fact we had all of our strikers out which meant playing big Steve Watt up top, but it didn't work and we really struggled to keep any kind of possession. Despite this, Hastings always looked the more likely and after a couple of half chances Hastings took a deserved lead from an in swinging Wayne Wilson free kick which flicked of the head of a Cray defender and in off the underside of the bar. Goal machine Steve Watt claimed it but from behind the goal it was a clear OG.
The second half was a little better but again, very difficult with the players at our disposal up top. Eventually the pressure paid and a rare moment of real quality from Sam Cole saw him finish with a beautiful 25 yarder in the bottom corner after a neat turn on the edge of the box. After this Bodkin hit the bar from 35 yards and Crutts had a dipping 25 yarder just wide of the post but very little else to report in a very comfortable victory.
Thought Sam Cole was MOM today closely followed by the excellent Ollie Rowe. Bodkin was decent as was Crutts whilst Watty did a job up top but looked as mobile as Tony Cosens and I'm guessing (and hoping) we do not see him there again for a long time! More of a concern though was the form of Jerome, who received the bollocking of all bollockings from Watty in the 2nd half and Richie Davies, who's passing and defending was way short of what is expected this season. God help us if we lose Watty or Ollie at any time this season.
But a job done and these games are never pretty against lower opposition. I am guessing Darren will be delighted to get this out the way but slightly disappointed at the level of performance and particularly how easily we gave the ball away today. Lots of work to do still, and desperate to get these strikers back fit but all in all a great start for Darren and the team.
-- Edited by johnw on Sunday 21st of August 2016 05:38:59 PM
-- Edited by johnw on Sunday 21st of August 2016 06:10:18 PM
Good to see Jack at the game and walking, with a limp it has to be said. He doesn't know how long he will be out so here's hoping it's sooner rather than later. Agree with John that Sam was MoM and I think with a couple of recognised strikers on the pitch we could have at least doubled the score. Fair play to Watty he did enough to get the first goal but it was an og.
Enjoyed watching a new-look Hastings United for the first time this season on Sunday. Some useful players in the squad and hope we have enough quality to have a good season. Encouraging to see how well Folkestone and Worthing have started in the Ryman premier.
