Having managed to get to 38 games so far it was time to pick one off the list of clubs I would like to get to this season, some of which I couldn’t manage last year as I just ran out of time or fixtures didn’t fit.
The list I have has clubs on it for various reasons, some for the people I know within the game and great to go and have a catch up, some I’ve been invited to who want the publicity on this blog, some who of course serve up some great footballing food
Saturday was a trip along the coast from me to Hastings Utd, a coastal town visited a lot during the childhood, an easy route down the A21 from Kent was the sunny seaside destination. Not only that it meant a day out with the youngest daughter, so a few amusement arcades, sweet shop stop and a nice hearty lunch beforehand.
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The Pilot Field is a ground I’ve been past many times but never been inside, Hornchurch were the visitors to East Sussex as league leaders but the home side on a seven match unbeaten and designs on the play-off’s themselves. After being denied promotion during the stop-start years they finally made it up to the Isthmian League Premier Division and have certainly set their stall out so far this season.
The Urchins I saw last season demolish Cray Wanderers 5-0 at the back end of it on the way to the play-off’s where they came up just short. During the stop-start years they defied the odds to reach Wembley to win the FA Trophy knocking out a few National League sides along the way and have themselves competed at the South Division level before.
A windy afternoon meant the game wasn’t going to be a pure spectacle and with the threat of rain in the air as well conditions were going to be testing for both sides on a pitch that was in very good nick for a passing game.
The opening exchanges were fairly even, Hastings looking to use the flanks but not adverse to playing the channels whilst Hornchurch had a front pair who were able to hold up play but with the guile to get in behind.
It was the visitors who drew first blood, a break away move down the right hand side found Tom Wraight in the box who slid in to score the game’s opening goal.
Knory Scott was causing the visitors a few problems down the right wing and his cross cum shot took a deflection onto the far post and away just as the home support thought the leveller was quick in coming.
Liam Nash then doubled the visitors lead six minutes before half time, cutting in from the right hand side and giving Rogers no chance in the Hastings goal, crucial time to score too.
Hastings came out strong for the second half and put the Urchins goal under a huge amount of pressure of possession, corners and shots on target. Alex Brefo was the first to bring a save out of Hornchurch keeper Joe Wright soon after the re-start, the same player then tested Wright again ten minutes into the half with a free header destined for the net.
Wright was again called into action just after the hour mark to deny Hastings once more as the pressure continued but there was no way through for the home side, the keeper equal to everything.
Hornchurch then proceeded to take control of the game again as the rain came lashing down seeing everyone heading for the cover of the stands as Hastings seemed to fall short of ways to score, the Urchins wrapping up the win seventeen minutes from time, a corner swung in from the right was headed home by Rickie Hayles to put the game beyond the hosts.
The home side however did rally again, Ben Pope bringing another fine save out of Wright, balls cleared off the line, shots blocked, it just wouldn’t go in for Hastings in the final ten minutes, Hornchurch going three points clear at the top of the table with games in hand on second placed Cray Wanderers.
Mark Stimson teams are always well drilled and this one is no exception; they know how to control a game and they play it well. That’s not to say Hastings didn’t play their part, but for the super saves from Wright they would have at least been back in the game early in the second half and then it could well have been a different outcome.
Early chance for Hastings to get back to winning ways on Tuesday evening as they host Folkestone Invicta, very tight table they’re involved in and the play off’s certainly aren’t out of reach, a very good sized crowd of 815 were in to see this one, they’ll be hoping for something similar to see another three points incoming.
