After our loss in the Cup we are back for a league game against newcomers
Phoenix are currently the number 12 in the table; just one place below us.
Also they have 7 points out of 4 games and the same goal difference. We scored only 1 goal more.
Phoenix play at: Phoenix Sports Ground , 314 Mayplace Road,Barnehurst
And we? In all honesty this wasn't the best week for Hastings. The departure of Josh Pelling and off the pitch the resignation of Barrie West.
One remarkable player and one remarkable 'volunteer' who did so much for the club that he will be sadly missed .The return of Sam Adams and a new goalkeeper were positive signs but let please Hastings United be the club of the Town and their supporters.
Players come and go, so are Managers and Board Members but supporters will always be there........
Couldn't make it today but would love to hear from those that did as to why when we went 2 down early in the 2nd half and chasing the game, we took off Medlock and Crutts and put on a defensive midfielder in Carey and loanee Gayler.
Also can any supporter ever remember a bench look as weak as it did today. I said it before the season started, we are relying too much on the youngsters and the manager has not done enough too strengthen the squad.
Agree with you John in respect of the substitutions.I can only imagine that both players were carrying knocks.If that wasn't the case then I find it baffling.The bench was missing a striker today.We are in urgent need of a replacement for Jack Harris.Worrying times at the moment
John he did the same thing when we were 2-1 down at home to Lewes and chasing the game he took off Billy Medlock, the only player that looked like scoring.
Why the substitutions I do not know , but Sammy Adams pushing forward made a small difference . Sonny Dullaway looked lively , I do like him
However I keep saying it all the time ..Davide Roderi is not right and needs experience at lower levels , needs confidence
Sammy crossed ball to him and shouted at him ' hit it first time ' , he listened but flew it over the goal . At the end he was arguing with Lee Carey to take a direct free kick and after giving up , Carey watched Roderi wasting the shot ... not for me , we need experience .
Ansu also liked poor . He was pushed off the ball , they found him out early and their defence dealt with him
I worry that it all good saying we won't buy in like last year and concentrate on youth .... but already we are short on strength and looking for signings
Great to see Sammy back , felt sorry for the new keeper
Nice club Phoenix , lovely people
Please sign Kenny Pogue ...
-- Edited by ChrisVanRock on Saturday 9th of September 2017 05:33:01 PM
John even though you weren't there you have summed it up. Phoenix workmanlike side but nothing special.First half fairly even, but second half they took advantage of a mistake by Sam Adams together with goals from set pieces they won fairly comfortably .
None of our supporters could understand the substitutions, and we all left pretty depressed.
p.s. Could not fault new keeper with any of the goals.
Totally mystified by the substitutions which in my opinion made a bad situation worse. Should have started with Sammy up front with Billy and Sam Crutts in midfield.
Dashed to the game straight from work this afternoon - really wish I hadn't. What a complete waste of an afternoon watching a rather clueless set of decisions. I'll start briefly with some praise, mainly for the home goalkeeper who, when called upon a couple of times, was excellent - strong and commanded his area very well. Secondly, praise for Bradley Pritchard who has come on leaps and bounds since this time last season - he had a very good game today. When I looked at the teamsheet when I got there a couple of minutes before kick off, I notice that still Simon Johnson is missing, Tom Vickers, Sam Beale and how the bench lacked depth. Full credit to the academy boys for taking the step up, but the depth we had in the squad is non-existent. Sam Adams didn't have the best of returns today either, for a player with his experience and knowledge of the game, he was at fault for the first goal, giving the ball away 30-yards or so out, and a quick little give-and-go allowed the player to stroke a fine finish past our new goalkeeper.
The substitution to take off Medlock and Crutts was a fantastic one - not sure what everyone on here is on about. Only joking. Taking off the two people who actually look like they are creating something, or can create something out of nothing was just enough to leave everyone scratching theirs heads. I know one of our supporters asked a member of the board what the substitution was all about and got the reply 'Just think about it!' - but not sure what we have to think about when the two most creative players are coming off at 1-0 down - resting them for a game we aren't playing next Saturday??? Or just resting them for a trip to Cray midweek when we would've had chances to be in the game today, had they been on the pitch.
For me, Gaylor is not to the level we require either. I've only been to three games so far this season and have only seen him at Dulwich last week and then today. I thought he was poor against Dulwich but even more so today. Perhaps I was bitter about taking off one of the creative players but once again there didn't seem to be a lot of effort or will to play.
Wonder what's going to happen Tuesday. Very poor decisions cost us today and it was embarrassing.
Not long since moved to Hastings and was thinking about giving non league football a go as too far from London now to support the mighty Arsenal. Was planning on next Saturday at home to Thamesmead as website says that is the next home game so just wondered Liam why you say we aren't playing next Saturday?
But maybe reading the comments above it doesn't sound like I should get too excited about watching Hastings?
Not long since moved to Hastings and was thinking about giving non league football a go as too far from London now to support the mighty Arsenal. Was planning on next Saturday at home to Thamesmead as website says that is the next home game so just wondered Liam why you say we aren't playing next Saturday?
But maybe reading the comments above it doesn't sound like I should get too excited about watching Hastings?
I believe Thamesmead are still in the FA Cup so that takes priority! Don't get me wrong CliffD, Hastings can be an exciting team on the occasion, but things keep changing!
Oh ok thanks for the information Liam. I guess it's like all teams good days and bad days. I'm used to bad days being an Arsenal supporter although today was ok from that point of view!
Didn't go today so can't comment on game. However, when some of you keep going on and on about the quality of the squad I think it's harsh. We have 4 experienced players missing and if we are paying all 4, then where is the money to find temporary replacements, are we looking for that magic money tree. It's bad luck and in sport these things happen it is not anybodies fault. It is just highlighted because it was decided to go with a younger squad. If 4 youngsters had been injured the problem would be less obvious.
We were missing Simon Johnson, Sam Beale and Tom Vickers today. For all that United had the better of the first half with more going on in the Phoenix area while our new man in goal had very little to do. Ollie Black's unreal throw ins kept causing problems and at half time I thought a bit of tweaking would see the U's step things up and see off an average home side.
Yea right. Two goals gifted in as many minutes left United chasing the game - two goals given ro Phoenix Sports on a plate. Ball given away on the edge of the box and no marking at a free kick and 2-0 down.
The substitutions made no sense whatsoever and while United played decent football for much of the second half - that final ball was never good enough and it was all over after penalty box ping pong saw us three down.
We have some really good Academy boys but are playing too many of them at the same time. It is asking too much and while Sonny Dullaway was excellent when he came on - that was the only bright spark of a depressing second half as we were well beaten by a hard working and average home side.
Talk at the game was of a new striker signing but no names. Adam Hinshelwood is having to start from scratch building his side which makes it all the more a shame Darren Hare went after he had a year in charge and laid the foundations. And it rarely happens in one season that a new manager gets promotion. I would hate to see us miss out with 3 places up for grabs this season but looking back at the time needed by George Wakeling and Peter Sillett and the way we've started this season.....
But it's early days yet and when Johnno, Sam and Tom are back in the side plus, hopefully, another couple of experienced hands, things will look better.
Bert, where did you get your picture of Phoenix Sports ground from, as it does not look much like the ground we visited yesterday ? Definitely no stand like that behind the goal.
Bert, where did you get your picture of Phoenix Sports ground from, as it does not look much like the ground we visited yesterday ? Definitely no stand like that behind the goal.
This side Phil : https://alchetron.com/Phoenix-Sports-F.C.-4135888-W
