After the narrow win against Sevenoaks it is now a travel to
Ashford are currently the number 6 in the table with 30 points out of 17 games.
They scored 33 and conceded only 19 goals. Top scorer: Corne with 9 goals and Parish with 8.
Ashford United plays at : Homelands Stadium , Ashford
Remember last season's game:
A hat-trick from new boy Calum Davies gave Hastings United Football Club a deserved victory this afternoon (Saturday).
The 20-year-old forward, playing only his second game for the club, scored once in the first half and twice more during the second period as Hastings won 3-1 away to Ashford United in Bostik Football League Division One South.
Hastings manager Chris Agutter made two changes to his starting XI from the previous Tuesday’s 1-1 draw at home to Cray Wanderers. Ollie Black returned at left-back in the absence of Sam Beale and Adam Lovatt replaced the suspended Jack Dixon in midfield.
Playing one up-front, Ashford seemed content to get bodies behind the ball during the first half and Hastings enjoyed plenty of possession along the back line but found it difficult to play through their opponents. Hastings were in front at the break, though, thanks to a well-taken goal by Davies in the 40th minute.
Hastings midfielder Ansu Janneh dispossessed Kwabena Osei and ran at the home defence before teeing up Davies, who shifted the ball onto his left foot and picked out the far corner with a fine finish.
Apart from that, the sides spurned one clear opportunity apiece in the opening period. Andrew Dalhouse side-footed wide with only Hastings goalkeeper Charlie Horlock to beat while the game was still goalless and, at the other end, Rhys Whyborne headed a well-delivered Dayshonne Golding free kick over the top three minutes after the goal.
There were also a couple of half-chances at either end. Ira Jackson fired just wide after a bit of a scramble in the Hastings box and later sent a free kick just over, while Davies had a couple of other sights of goal for Hastings.
The visitors looked in complete control and dominated possession as the second half got underway. Janneh shot straight at goalkeeper Aaron Lee-Wharton from a Davide Rodari pass at the end of a good Hastings move.
Ashford sent on a second forward to partner Dalhouse just after the hour, but initially at least, it didn’t seem to make much difference.
Hastings captain-for-the-day Sam Cruttwell fired a low shot from the edge of the box just beyond the far past and Golding’s shot was comfortably saved before Hastings doubled their lead in the 69th minute. Davies ran clear through the middle and coolly slotted past Lee-Wharton.
Ashford gradually started to offer a threat as the clock ticked into the final 15 minutes and Jonathan Difford was just off target before the home side pulled one back in the 80th minute.
The powerful Dalhouse, who was recently playing in the Macron East Sussex Football League for Ore Athletic, held off Whyborne and drove the ball across goal for substitute Matt Day to slide home from a yard.
Five minutes later Day got goalside of the Hastings defence from a long ball over the top, but Tom Climpson did just enough to prevent him getting a shot away.
Hastings broke from the resulting corner and Davies curled a delightful shot into the far corner, via the goalkeeper’s fingertips, to complete a memorable treble.
In the time that remained, Hastings substitute Kenny Pogue had a firm drive parried following a Davies pass and Clark Wood**** shot just wide for Ashford from outside the area.
Hastings’ first win in six league games has moved them up three places to 15th in the table. Hastings: Horlock, Rowe, Black, Lovatt, Whyborne, Climpson, Rodari (Sotoyinbo 76), Golding (Pogue 72), Davies, Janneh (Taggart 87), Cruttwell. Subs not used: Akoto, Scrafton. Attendance: 368.
Simon Newstead.
And we? Of course made Sam Cruttwell a huge impact in the win against Sevenoaks and we can only hope that the starting eleven will be the strongest we have at this moment.
Save travel to Kent and wishing you all a Happy New Year!
This game is a big BIG test for United. Weirdly, we have not done well against sides around us - despite showing in 3 FA Cup games against higher grade opposition we are more than capable - and Ashford seem to be on fire right now. I just hope that Messrs Cruttwell and Bamba start instead of being wasted on the bench. Fingers crossed.
Yes agree - but I a draw will be best we get and delighted by it!! If we sneak a win I'll definitely celebrating beyond new year!!! Can't make the game cos of work commitments. Wish all supporters and management and staff a happy new year! See you all on sat.
Very good performance today against a very average looking and ill disciplined Ashford side, although much of that was down to Hastings.
Hastings were pretty much in control of the entire game, dominated the second half, and restricted Ashford to just a couple of half chances over the 90mins.
Played a different formation today with both Daniel and Jordy up top and I think it worked really well with both putting in a great shift. Daniel was heavily involved in the first goal, beating two players down the right before squaring to Dixon for an easy finish and then scored the second early in the 2nd half, calmly lobbing the keeper after a defensive blunder. He was a handful all afternoon and just showed how much we have missed him.
Tom, Jack Tucker and Jahmal were superb all game and so impressed by Jahmal's leadership qualities. Just never stops talking and communicating throughout the game and must be great for young Tom. The central three were also superb with Jack, Adam and my MOM Crutts dominating the game and really never gave Ashford a sniff. Best I've seen from Ollie today as well.
Room for improvement....Still worry about Jamie. Again, worked hard but gives the ball away too much and gets caught out defensively too often. There was clearly a plan with him today with long diagonal balls onto his head throughout the game but still think its a position of concern. And finally those long bloody throws!! release a little bit of pressure sometimes when in our half but every throw long and still cannot remember us ever scoring a goal from one. Just don't think it suits our team and too often leads to a quick turnover of possession. But these are areas for improvement and should not detract from an excellent team performance today and very well done to all.
Agree John a good performance and a far better watch, we created chances today, and a more no nonsense approach made for a more direct game which proved more than enough for Ashford to cope with.
Excellent team performance today, would not pick man of the match as I thought everyone put in a shift.
Good support today as well ,would estimate well over 100 there today.Well done all round.
Great all round performance today and well done to Chris for getting the players ready for an Ashford side who were really rugged and another dreadful plastic pitch. Be unkind to give MOM as all concerned gave their all. Thanks lads for a great New Year’s present. Onward and upward.
First class performance. Gordy gets better every game, Daniel was a 100 mph handful throughout and so good to see Crutts out there for 90 minutes. Completed a good extended Bostik SE weekend's fixtures and consecutive clean sheets.
Always need a win but beating one of the top sides was particularly welcome. Well done all of you.
Yes great team performance. Our first goal was excellent-good distribution from Charlie-great pass from Jamie-pace and skill from Daniel and Jack making a good run from midfield. We controlled the game after that and looked a good side. Pleased with the way Daniel and Jordy combined and our defence looked solid.
in the win against Sevenoaks and we can only hope that the starting eleven will be the strongest we have at this moment.