My God we made hard work of that today against a really poor opponent. Totally deserved to win the game but could quite easily have lost it after some suicidal defending over the 90mins. We keep getting away with it at the minute but defend like that against the better sides and we are going to get punished.
First half Hastings were totally dominant, so much so that Sevenoaks really only ventured into our half twice but scored on both occasions. The first came early on after we gave away possession cheaply and a simple through ball to Kenny Pogue gave him a simple finish with no defender in sight. For the next 35 mins we camped inside the Sevenoaks half making chance after chance before Daniel coolly rounded the keeper and finished well on 40mins. Three minutes later, great work by Vickers, who had a really average game today, left Dajon with a simple tap in at the far post. But just a minute later Vickers gave away possession in the middle of the park with a really poor pass and Sawyer outpaced our defence to square to Pogue for a simple tap in. 2-2 at half time and I would guess the possession stats were something like 90-10%.
After an absolute roasting by the manager at half time which most of the ground heard, the second half continued in much the same vain, Hastings dominating possession and making a number of good chances but we started to think it was going to be one of those days. Then came the big turning point on 72mins. Pogue had a great chance to score his hat trick, with Horlock making a super save and then the rebound blocked right in front of goal. From the clearance Hastings broke quickly with Dajon and Crutts involved and 10 seconds later from the Sevenoaks chance Daniel had put Hastings ahead with a great finish.
We held out pretty comfortably after that and deserved the win but we really made hard work of it. Crutts easily MOM today and Daniel impressive once again whilst Jahmal held together a shaky defence at times, although they were not helped by those in front losing cheap possession.
Another really important win though, with many of our first team regulars missing so we have to be happy but a lot of work still to be done defensively.
-- Edited by johnw on Monday 27th of August 2018 05:19:23 PM
-- Edited by johnw on Monday 27th of August 2018 05:22:47 PM
Agree that Cruttwell was superb - he ran the second half. What I don’t get is how one pass continually cut out our whole defence. It happened on Saturday with the VCD 7 left with acres of space and it happened again today. Sevenoaks have two okay strikers and yet that was all they needed to look dangerous every time the ball got through or over our defence. Jamahl is a huge influence and is a great addition but all the defenders must look at themselves after these two games.
Brilliant for Daniel to get two more, his goal sense seems to be pretty good. And I thought that Horlock actually made a brilliant double save in the lead up to our winner, apologies if I’ve got that wrong.
We simply have to get out of this league - tin-pot little ground, bar / cafe no clue how to deal with a queue and a 3G pitch with portable goals just doesn’t seem right at all.
Three wins from three and still in the cup, have to hand it to the club, an excellent start. Good away support too. COME ON YOU U’s!
-- Edited by Londontownfan on Monday 27th of August 2018 05:47:19 PM
-- Edited by Londontownfan on Monday 27th of August 2018 05:48:06 PM
Dreadful defending for their two goals. Chris has to sort it out quick, or as John says better teams will punish us. Up front however the two D’s....Daniel and Dayshonne are on fire. Superb support , must have been over a hundred of ud there.
What a weird game. United by far the better team but had to come from behind again. Great character to do that 4 times and secure 4 wins - great start to the season and a great amount to do to cut out bad goals. Today's conceded goals both came from sloppy passing and Tom Vickers went from hero (Great job setting up Dayshonne for 2-1) to villain as he set up the Sevenoaks breakaway for 2-2 a minute later!
Hope Daniel is ok - we have a special one there - two more well taken goals today against a Sevenoaks outfit that are still finding their way after promotion. Four ex United players in their ranks - Pogue, Sawyer, Crabb and Nicholls - plus Zac Attwood on the sidelines. Nice touch by Ryan Nicholls in their goal coming to the sizeable United contingent behind him at the final whistle to shake lots of hands.
-- Edited by SS on Monday 27th of August 2018 07:58:43 PM
Where was Sinn'Kaye Christie he wasn't even on the bench yesterday?
Surely Tom Climpson is not his first choice.
We look so much more secure with him in defence.
Someone told me yesterday that he fell out with the manager after the Whitehawk game.
Surely not?
There were lots of rumours circulating yesterday and have been all season about players, particularly Christie. It wouldn't be Hastings without a good bit of gossip amongst the fans but I believe he was doing something with Nike academy yesterday.....just a rumour.
I think Tom did okay yesterday and no worse than any other defender on show. Easy to blame him for the goals but on both occasions we lost the ball in midfield which left him pretty isolated and he was never going to catch Frankie Sawyer or Kenny Pogue once they were put through. Just think he lacks a little bit of height and pace at centre back but would make an excellent full back in my opinion. Has never let the team down and can only ever remember one error at Whytleafe last season which is a pretty impressive record for one so young.
-- Edited by johnw on Tuesday 28th of August 2018 05:04:28 PM
I know I go on about it but playing on plastic does not help. The ball held up several times yesterday especially for their second goal. It’s not as fast as grass and Sevenoaks had the ball in the air more than on the ground. It’s easy to call them boring with their long ball tactics but how much is down to the pitch? As for the U’s, Crutts was my MoM, an old head on young shoulders, and Danny was close behind him. Very good all round performance given the circumstances I have put above.
-- Edited by FatherXmas on Tuesday 28th of August 2018 08:46:40 PM
