After the midweek hammering of East Grindstead in the Cup we are back at TPF against
Horsham are currently the number 13th in the table with 6 points out of 5 games.
Scored 9 and conceded 11 goals. Top scorer is Chris Smith with 3 goals.
Last season we drew 3-3; read here the match report:
A goal in the fifth minute of added time salvaged a point for Hastings United on Tuesday evening when they drew 3-3 at home to Horsham.
United had established a two-goal lead early in the second half but then conceded three times as the visitors gained the upper hand.
Simon Johnson returned to the starting lineup in place of Lee Carey, otherwise Hastings were unchanged from the side that defeated Faversham Town at the weekend.
There was not a lot between the sides in the first half, although United created the better chances.
Kenny Pogue saw a header cleared off the line after just four minutes, and it was Pogue again who brought a fine save out of visiting keeper James Fernandez on 17 minutes.
A minute later and Fernandez was finally beaten. A terrific cross from the right by Sam Cruttwell was inch perfect for Pogue to head home from eight yards.
The visitors were finding it difficult to deal with the lanky striker who saw another effort pushed away for a corner on the half-hour mark. Horsham were not out of the picture though and they had pace down the flanks that caused a few problems.
James Thurgar and Joe Shelly looked dangerous but, despite their fair share of possession, United keeper Charlie Horlock was seldom troubled.
It was a different story after the break as Horsham began creating openings in the home defence.
Horlock did well to block a shot from George Landais on 51 minutes but three minutes later Hastings doubled their lead. The ball was played into the box from the left and Sam Adams tucked home at the near post. If the U’s thought that was job done they were mistaken.
Horsham kept going and got the upper hand for the remainder of the game. On 58 minutes Landais fired home a tremendous free kick from just outside the area, finding the top righthand corner of the net. Then with just over 10 minutes remaining Joe Shelley finished off from close range after Hastings had been undone down their right hand side.
With just Pogue up front the ball was constantly in United’s half of the field as any clearance was instantly returned. Horlock pulled off a great save in the 89th minute only for the loose ball to be turned home by Shelley. It looked all over for Hastings until the fifth minute of added time.
A trademark long throw from Ollie Black on the left caused chaos in the Horsham six-yard box and Rhys Whybourne bundled home to secure a point.
A more entertaining game than recent matches but United would have been looking to take all three points from their Sussex rivals who are finding the going tough at the moment. It did extend the U’s unbeaten record to four games though in all competitions.
Tomorrow (Saturday, 3pm) United are back in league action at fourth placed Corinthian-Casuals. On Tuesday night they welcome Thamesmead Town.
United: Horlock, Vickers, Black, Johnson (Lovatt 83), Whybourne, Rowe, Cruttwell (Rodari 74), Dixon, Pogue, Adams, Beale. Subs not used : Akoto, Carey, Janneh. Attendance: 249
Simon Newstead
And we: After the disappointing result and the way we played against Hythe, the hammering of East Grindstead and the game coming on Saturday ( tomorrow against Leiston ) it is maybe time to have a overview of the first 2 months. We have a young team, who is standing out, team selections and line-ups are they always 'normal'? Hope a lot of supporters will show up again!
Agee Phil, pretty comfortable win against what looked a decent Horsham side who played a similar style of football to Hastings but lacked that cutting edge up top. In fact not sure Charlie had a save to make all night. Don't think our passing was at its absolute sharpest last night but a decent performance all round especially keeping in mind the efforts from saturday. Tremendous work rate and fitness levels throughout the team again and Sammy, Crutts and Daniel all superb. Most pleasing of all was looking at the incredible strength on the bench and of course one of the biggest Tuesday night crowds I can remember in recent years.
Really impressive, I thought. It very obviously had "BANANA SKIN" written on it in red marker pen, as I'm sure there were a few tired legs and sore heads on Sunday morning, but the response showed a team that's focused, hard-working and determined.
We were right at it from the start, thoroughly controlled the first half and then finished the job after half-time. The second goal was a horrible defensive error, but a horrible defensive error of the kind you're liable to make if you've been given the run-around by quick, mobile forwards for the last hour. It all got a bit messy in the final half hour, but the game was effectively won by then and there was always the suggestion of a gear or two, and a substitute or two, available if needed.
The kind of game you don't remember in May. But the kind of game that promotions are made of: a comprehensive win with some gas left in the tank.
Good solid performance. Both games against Horsham last season saw us give away two goal leads - apart from a couple of dodgy moments that never looked like happening last night. Charlie didn't have to make a save till very late in proceedings. Keeping a clean sheet is never a bad thing.
Daniel is playing so well you have to be concerned we might lose him. He should be playing at a higher level and while everyone wants him to go on and excel, none of us will want to see him snapped up.
Still - good result and no hangover from Saturday's superb performance. Cray are going well as are Hythe - and Cray play Whyteleafe tonight. The benefits of accruing points are always obvious but ever more so this season because of the FA's ongoing laughably inept reorganisation of the semi pro game. Points per game dictate play off positions at season's end as there only 5 playoff promotion slots from the seven step 4 divisions. Every win is an insurance premium cos, love em or hate em, we need to know we are in the 5 promotion play offs group at the very least.
479 - great attendance for a midweek game. Saturday helped but that is a tremendous turn out at step 4 level and a credit to how the team is playing under Chris. Keeping a clean sheet was a major part of last night's success.
-- Edited by SS on Wednesday 26th of September 2018 08:16:53 AM
