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Wet weather once again. Just a constant theme of this season isn’t it, the only difference for me on Tuesday evening was my chosen game was on a 3G pitch so no trouble having to look for an alternative, the early signs for Saturday aren’t looking too good.
Barnet were at home for a third consecutive Tuesday, but not for me. As it was The Hive pitch was waterlogged which actually means I’m more than likely to attend the re-arranged fixture.
The first of those three games meant I missed the first Sussex Senior Cup Sem-final between Horsham and Steyning Town, the former running out 4-1 winners and heading off to the Amex next month.
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Tuesday night was the turn of Littlehampton Town and Hastings Utd at County FA headquarters in Lancing. Both side are in contrasting seasons, Town needing a few more points for a third successive season in the Isthmian South East Division whilst Utd are still in with a shout of a play-off place in the Premier Division.
A cold but dry night wasn’t in keeping with the earlier parts of the day in Sussex, but one of very few games still on across the county once again. As I expected to happen Hastings controlled the possession, the Golds unable to get hold of the ball and pinned into their own half.
Hastings were in front on 12 minutes, a good break down the left side saw Freddie Legg sweep the ball home to give them a deserved early lead, minutes after having a shot turned onto the post. However, the Golds came more into the match, putting the U’s under a good press at times and restricting chances.
The very lively John Ufuah had an effort cleared off the goal line just before half time, Utd fans convinced it was over the line, had it been then a different complex to the second half.
And it was a different complex. Littlehampton were out the blocks from the beginning, certainly nothing to fear and ready to give it a go. The press from Dion Jarvis, George Gaskin and Nodirbek Bobomurodov was something Hastings didn’t want to contend with, they hassled and used the ball well going forwards.
A combination of good blocks and good fortune kept the ball out of the Hastings net, Charlie Grainger having clearance kicks charged down on a few occasions but landing in safety spots, Ollie Starkey having a super drive tipped over the bar.
As time ticked on, Town had to push even further forward and committing men forward and leaving gaps at the back, they were punished, Ufuah getting away down the left and crossing for Davide Rodari to slot home doubling the lead.
Seconds into stoppage time Rodari scored the goal of the night, picking the ball up some 25 yards out and arrowing a shot into the top left hand corner giving James Binfield no chance in the Town goal to complete the scoring and sending Utd into the Amex Stadium final.
The scoreline not a reflection on what happened prior to the 84th minute, a controlled opening 20 minutes for Utd countered second half by a Littlehampton side giving a great account of themselves and on another night had one of those chances not been blocked we could have had a much different outcome.
Utd very neat and tidy in possession, a few risks taken by Grainger in the goal with the ball at his feet throughout the second half, however. Ufuah was impressive, raw pace and no doubt a handful for Step 3 defenders, Rodari just a quality player who really should be above this level, he’s a joy to watch.
Lots of hard work put in by the Town players, if they can match that level of performance for the remainder of their league games then they’ll banish any relegation fears quite quickly. Marshall Ball had a very decent game alongside Jordan Clark, Ollie Starkey a nice little cameo coming off the bench.
Horsham vs Hastings Utd to come in the final at Brighton & Hove Albion sometime in May, nice to see a couple of different sides in the showpiece county game for a change, both sides could well have finished in those Isthmian Premier play-offs and for one it might be the icing on the cake, watch this space…..
