The Rams are playing at: Southwood Stadium,Ramsgate
And we? What can you tell after 2 games? Yes we have 4 points and Tom Vickers is definitely back! Think we will have to see after 8 or 10 games where we are standing in the table but also how we perform!
Safe journey to Kent to all the travelling supporters. COYU'ssssssssssss!
Another really tough game on Saturday and never easy at Ramsgate whatever team we put out. In Tom Chapman and Alfie Paxman they certainly have two of the best offensive players in the league. Fingers crossed Ollie Rowe is back because I think him and Michael can forge a super central defensive partnership although Tom Vickers has done great so far.
Disappointed to read Sam Beale is out of both fixtures with injury. He has been absolutely outstanding so far.
Another super result for U's today and a much improved performance. With injuries meaning no Johnno or Beales it was great to welcome Ollie Rowe back in what was a really young and inexperienced looking Hastings team including Rodari, Janneh, Olllie Black and Pritchard.
First 20mins we completely dominated and took a deserved lead when Medlock was released by Cruttwell and cut inside the defender to unleash an unstoppable shot past the keeper. Five minutes later Ramsgate equalised from the penalty spot. The excellent Michael Aziaya carelessly lost possession and brought down the striker just inside the area. From where we were it looked stonewall and a possible red but others said it looked different from the other side. Either way it was a poor error and let Ramsgate back in the game and they ended the half slightly on top.
Second half Hastings started really well and once again dominated persession and deservedly took the lead. Rodari got on the end of a long ball and toe pocked it into the chest of the keeper only for Medlock to smash in the rebound from 20 yards. After this Hastings looked pretty comfortable apart from one free kick expertly saved by the excellent Pelling whilst at the other end Harris had two fantastic opportunities to kill the game.
With Rowe off injured and Medlock already off it was amazing to see the average age and inexperience of what was on the pitch at the end but they saw the game out really comfortably.
Tom Vickers was immense today playing the Lee Carey role in front of the back four and my MOM. Aziaya and Rowe looked great together as did Crutts and Pritchard is just a revelation at right back. Thought the youngsters did okay and worked their socks off with Janneh probably the best of the lot.
So a super result and a dream start for Adam and Chris. I really just hope these injuries don't catch up on us as the squad looks thin, but the youngsters coming in are doing just great. Just need Rowe, Beales and Johnno fit, a couple of new faces and I honestly think from what I've seen, we could go far this season.
Just finally, fitness levels fantastic again today. Not sure last years side would have seen out the game so comfortably.
Nothing to add really , great report from John as usual
I had been harping on about Bradley from last season , I am a massive fan of the lad ... he is intelligent and reads the game superbly
Tom was brilliant , got an absolute battering and will no doubt be sore in the morning
Janneh was brilliant wasn't he ... the home fans were asking me about him ...my man of the match but they were all brilliant today
Love going to Ramsgate , it's a fine old ground and a good day out . Tea bar is excellent , Mrs Van Rock loves the bacon rolls .... sadly as a vegan I can tell you the Diet Coke was fine😂😂
A great performance by a very young Hastings team. I loved the work rate of all the players and the youngsters played an esential part in a very fine win. Seven points from three games all against better sides in the division is a situation we all would have settled for at the start of the season.
The work rate, energy and passion is clearly coming from the new management team and the hard work they put in pre season. It's only early but I think it's pretty amazing what they have done in such a short time with what is essentially a completely new team with just Crutts remaining from the play off losing team. I will say again though that we do need a couple reinforcements and we shouldn't rely too heavily on these same youngsters week in week out. I remember young Holden coming in a few years ago and doing amazing on his debut. We then over played the lad, put too much pressure on him and he looked shot within a month and he's now languishing in county two. Have to say though that these new guys look to be in very good hands.
A great three points given the absentees. Still a couple of players sort for me. I little mention for Ollie black. Looked secure, plus that throw is a great weapon anywhere near the box.
Tremendous performance. Always a hard place to go, Ramsgate yet today United looked in great nick and all the Academy boys stepped up a treat. Rodari got better and better and will soon be scoring goals as well as creating them.
I agree with comments elsewhere about getting another couple of players in but look at who was missing today - Johnno, Sam Beale, Tom Climpson. Top display all of you.
It always feels like we're at home when we play at Ramsgate. They always seem to defend and their supporters are a quiet bunch. Don't forget that Crutts was only a kid when he started playing for us and I don't see any sign of burn out.
Not sure you can compare Crutts with any of the current crop yet. Crutts is and always has been at a different level and we all know he is playing a number of levels lower than he should be.
I have a good feeling about the side Adam has assembled, there is a good atmosphere around the club at present and our younger players are settling into their roles. I'm not sure what constitutes a youngster these days but this current crop seem mostly to be mature for their ages.
The Rams are playing at: Southwood Stadium,Ramsgate