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ATTEMPTS ON TARGET
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BLOCKED SHOTS
CORNERS
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RED CARDS
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Kieran Wilson
Craig Roser
(R) Luke Anderson
Andy Larkin
Tony Dolby
Peter Overton
(1) Mike Rutherford
(Sub 1) Patrick Blackman
Brendan Cass
Steve Searle
(Sub 1) (1) Luke Piscina
Jon Heath
Keith Moore
Ryan Royston
Damien Hodge
Jimmy Elford
Russell Eldridge
Peter Mortley
Mark Green (1)
Peter Sayers (Sub 1)
Steve Sands
Steve Ringwood
Mitchell Sherwood
Carl Rook
Chris Honey
Greg Nessling
David Henham
Peter Taylor
Kieren Startup (Sub 1)
Simon Stickney
Hastings United 1 (Green 47 Min)
Attendance
598
I have to start with apologies, the next match preview for the past two games hasn�t been there, there has been a reason, that reason being sickness, I came down with some bug on Thursday which involved being sick about 10 times throughout the night, Friday I was getting my energy back, so I had no time and no energy to do that, and I even had problems doing the Bashley report on Sunday, so a lack of energy for Mondays Preview, so everything�s OK now, so normal service resumed.
Yet again this season has brought no Bank Holiday points, Burgess Hill and Tonbridge both times have secured wins over the U�s, but overall I have to admit we have come a long long way, and this was the best Bank holiday performance of the season by far. But United kept going till the death although really after the Angels second goal the result never looked in doubt.
United made only one change to the side that drew with Bashley, and that was Ryan Peters was injured so he didn�t even make it onto the bench, and a welcomed return to Peter Sayers who came in on the right flank. As the hot sun beamed down onto the Longmead stadium the match started with the home side having the much greater possession, but it was United who had the clear chances.
Chris Honey turned his man by the edge of the area, but he saw his shot go over the North (or was it south) Mezzanine stand. Carl Rook then wrangled free but his shot was weak and Jamie Turner had no problem in saving. Tonbridge were attacking well finding their players until they got to the penalty area, they were trying to flick on, and United foiled them at every attempt, but somehow Craig Roser raced free into the box from the left hand side, but Peter Mortley was there to put in a last minute challenge to deny the Angels again.
Mortley was called �The Donkey� from Tonbridge fans after his poor performances for them a season ago, but he thwarted them today, heading above the skilful Brendan Cass at every attempt. Peter Sayer got into the action with a weak shot from the right hand side that went to Turner, but it was his last involvement in the match, as picked up an injury to his leg, lets hope it isn�t a recurrence of his bad injury, so Kieren Startup replaced him.
Then United had to weather some constant pressure from our Kent rivals, Luke Anderson, Patrick Blackman, and Brendan Cass were aloud space to turn and shoot but were all off target, but the rather industrious Peter Overton forced Chris May into a good save, after his powerful low shot from 25 yards took a nasty bounce, but May smothered well. Patrick Blackman then hit the ball at May when the ball was bouncing high around the area. That was followed up by Brendan Cass also trying to break the deadlock, it didn�t happen, as May was on hand to save again.
United then were trying to get back into the picture as the half time whistle was drawing nearer, Steve Ringwood�s free kick flew across the area, and it needed ex-Hastings player Andy Larkin to get rid of it, but it nearly went in, as his flying header nearly was sliced the wrong way. Then what could�ve been the chance of the match a corner came in, a scramble in the area the ball fell to Kieren Startup on his own in the area, but his shot was straight at keeper Turner, I think he was a bit taken back by how he has the ball at his feet.
The second half began with everyone thinking Tonbridge were going to run at United, but surprisingly United took the lead, from a corner, the ball went to Kieren Startup who held the ball and released to Mark Green who turned his man and shot into the top corner to the delight of the large away support, United were one up at the leaders, and United had the Angels on the hook, Russell Eldridge had one of his powerful shots go wide, and then Mitchell Sherwood also had his rather weak shot go the other side of the post.
Then Angels started to gel together again, this time the miss of the match, the ball was played into Steve Searle three yards out, and he hammered the ball over the bar, the stand, and I think out of the ground, Brian Lara would�ve been proud of that. Luke Anderson also headed wide just after that. Andy Larkin also had a chance to score against one of his wide range of ex clubs, this time his bouncing header looked like to be going in, but Chris May stretched and saved very well.
Then controversy up the other end, a long ball was punted up field, Carl Rook ran on to it, with Luke Anderson, and Rook went down in the area, under pressure by Anderson and the referee blew up, called Anderson over and sent him off, he was last man and prevented Rook from a chance on goal. The bloody problem was, the referee gave a free kick just outside the box, where the tugging had started. Russell Eldridge stepped up and hammered one at goal, Jamie Turner had to stretch to tip it away for his defence to clear.
But the ten man Tonbridge started to increase their work rate, Brendan Cass headed at Chris May, but things were getting worse for United, as finally Tonbridge drew level, and it was really United�s own doing, Carl Rook turned back off his man, and was looking to release, if he�d done it quickly it would�ve been four on four, but he took so much time, Peter Overton ran back and won the ball off him, he passed it to Luke Piscina who superbly riffled his shot into the top left hand corner, unstoppable, a great goal, from such an under-rated side (even their fans said so).
Suddenly United went quiet and stopped for a minute as Piscina ran free of Mortley and somehow odds on to score his one-on-one he hit the post, United were saved but Tonbridge grew in flair and determination, and suddenly it looked as if United were the side with 10 men, Brendan Cass then came close when his deflected shot off Mark Green flew high, but Chris May�s handling was even better as he held onto the ball with the sunlight flashing down on him.
But on 78 minutes Chris May couldn�t believe his luck, a long ball into the area ran free to the back post, where Craig Roser he headed at goal, it looked as if it was in, but May flew across to superbly palm away for a corner, from the corner, the ball went to the back post, May went for the ball, he grabbed it but then dropped it, the ball ran to Mike Rutherford who shot into the bottom right hand corner to give the Kent side the lead. May ran after the referee Gavin Hoare (who yet again had another crap match, I think Donald Duck would�ve refereed the match 20 times better although give the linesmen their credit, they were quite good) all the way up to the half way line and earned himself a yellow card by saying he was knocked, although I disagree, he was under pressure, but not at any time was he knocked.
The game then died down a little, Chris Honey glancing header was well saved at Jamie Turners far post, and Peter Overton�s shot went over the bar, but United had seem to lose it, they lost it themselves gave the game away, but I think it would�ve been a bit harsh on Tonbridge if we�d won, but it was harsh on us losing, a draw would�ve been fair enough. We played well against a side who stroked the ball around well, but didn�t look a good enough side for me, maybe around seventh placed, Eastleigh, King�s Lynn, Salisbury all much better and Bashley were an inch better than Tonbridge, they must be thanking their start of season form.
United I have to say played well, were under the cosh for long periods but seemed a bit lost up front, midfield didn�t protect the defence enough, but Kieren Startup I though had a good match in the middle, after coming on, so maybe another injury in Peter Sayer lets hope not, as the in-form team in the league Banbury United are in town on Saturday. Also to mention the game was very entertaining and good value for money.
Claret�n�Blue Man Of The Match
Jimmy Elford/Mark Green
Couldn�t make my mind up over these two, they were very good throughout, Jimmy again great under pressure, good long balls to the front runners, Green a good goal, and marking was superb, also blocking most of the five blocked shots, to deny any chance of an equaliser (although they eventually got one) but the defence was good, maybe the midfield needs strengthening then a good side will be in place.