Entertaining afternoon with Hastings B team drawing 3-3 against a rubbish Chipstead side although anyone new to the Pilot Field watching the performances of both Barnwell and Bradley Stevenson may have thought we were playing our D team. They really were both absolute rubbish. But I guess niether the result or performance really matters and the important thing was many players were rested and no visible injuries, whilst Dorking played their strongest 11 against T&M.
Good to see the youngsters given a go today and they all did themselves proud, ably led by Crutts, who I was happy to see skipper today. My only small concern today was seeing Stannard play the whole game but Kiers being subbed early in the 2nd half.PLEASE don't tell me that is a clue to tuesday's starting line up. Kiernan always looks great when we are winning or playing against poor opposition but I just prey that Harry starts on Tuesday. The game was dreadful so let others comment on that and just looking forward to Tuesday now.
A massive well done to Darren this season for the exciting brand of football he has brought and the huge entertainment his team has brought us this season. At times we have been scintillating this season and others absolute garbage. Let's just hope the good Hastings turns up on Tuesday. Can't wait and really believe we can do it!!!!
The excellent Dorking playmaker and goal scorer today, Guieseppe Sole, received a red today. Anyone know if that counts him out of tuesday's semi final?
-- Edited by johnw on Saturday 22nd of April 2017 04:35:38 PM
Agree John, a really big well done to all, for the entertainment value, 128 goals, the most in all the top 20 leagues in England and Scotland ! Makes you think don`t it, Whatever happens now, lets hope we can do the same next season which ever league we are in, thought Ollie Black deserves a mention he had a solid game today.
Absolutely agree with JW , Stevenson just looks like he thinks he is too good for us and although I do think he has talent he has never shown it to me ...made my day him coming off
Ollie Black with that throw !! He could start Tuesday , used correctly it could be our secret weapon
I like Bradley Pritchard , I really do and great to see him today after his great performance at East Grinstead he was a welcone sight today
Apart from that , a terrible game but what a season it's been
Like to thank the directors especially Barry and Pat who are always charming and hard working . Also a thank you at the away games , always a hello .
My favourite opposition player award would be Tashi Kwayie at East Grinstead ..what a talent
Come on you U's ... fingernails ready for biting Tuesday night
-- Edited by ChrisVanRock on Saturday 22nd of April 2017 06:03:07 PM
I'm glad we got a point and made the play offs without relying on goal difference. Today was like a fun day at the end of the season, I guess Darren told players not to get injured because that's what it looked liked to me. Crutts must start at centre mid with Simon if we want to beat Dorking and I just hope Jerome and Ollie are fit on Tuesday.
Certainly enjoyed the game today knowing that the result didn't matter and was able to save my fingernails for Tuesday night !
Any other day it would have been seriously frustrating. We could easily have been three or more up before they scored and then to lose a two goal lead is always annoying.
Have to agree about Stevenson who was poor today but think you are being a bit tough on Barnewll, John. He's not the most elegant player but he does cause problems.
Plenty of talk in my group about our starting line up for Tuesday. I certainly hope Harry is in there.
It was certainly good for us that we could play many of our fringe players today, and still put on decent enough entertainment for another excellent crowd.
I feel the 23 point advantage that Dorking have over us will count for sweet FA on Tuesday.....and they will know that !
Extraordinary season watching Hastings with performances fluctuating wildly often from match to match. Should have known what was in store when, back in August, we went 3-0 down against Chipstead before getting back to 3-3 at half time! Today's result at least brought some symmetry to the season.
It has always between entertaining watching Darren Hare's players scoring 128 league goals and performing well in the cups. Hope we put in a good performance on Tuesday and our season continues on until next Saturday.
Whatever the results I hope we can continue to progress next season by keeping many of the players who have performed well this season.
Shamari Barnwell is very raw and that will result in inconsistency. Some terrible misses and obvious indecision but equally he does some outstanding stuff like his goal at South Park where instinct took over from having to think about what he was going to do. And he was good at Lewes too and in the air seems to be where he poses the biggest threat. He set Kiernan up for the equaliser on half time today as we watched a game that was always going to vary in standard due to the changed line up.
Danny Leonard looks like a real capture and took his goal really well as did Kiernan for his second. That Ollie Black has a throw in that is as good as a free kick and he isn't bad at left back either. Good to see Johnny Akoto get a run too - two outstanding young uns there, a true credit to Dean White & Co and the team structure at United.
Cannot wait for Tuesday and the chance to get one back on Dorking Wanderers who got all the big breaks and 6 points in the two league games. We are now in the Lottery League!
Well done United - a great season this year - just a little way to go now...
I get the reason why so many of the first team were rested and it can only help build the confidence of the younger, fringe players to play yesterday. It still sticks a little to draw after being 3 - 1 up, but hey - we got the point and hopefully the plan will pay out for the next two, rapid succession games.
