The U’s started their 2025/2026 pre season with an away fixture against Horsham YM
Our man at the game today was our very own Hastings Radio host Tom Dyson-Laurie
On a scorching hot day in West Sussex, Lee Carey’s Hastings United were back in action for the first six pre season friendlies.
The U’s started with first time appearances in a Hastings shirt for Finn Holter, Dean Gunner and Brad Barry captaining the side as well as a youthful set of players all took shape and stage in a first half with both sides playing at a high tempo. It looked as though neither keeper would be tested until 7 minutes before half time and a blistering run into the penalty box from Freddie Legg who was played through by Callum Barlow and caught from behind resulting in a penalty to Hastings. Callum Barlow sent the goalkeeper the wrong way to give Hastings a 1-0 lead. An effort at the end of the half from Legg who was linking up well superbly with Barlow who flicked the ball onto him was struck fierce and agonisingly wide. The hosts best chance came when a dinked cross from the right was met by a powerful close range header which Finn Holter pulled off a superb save to keep the score at 0-1.
A few changes were made at half time with Tom Vickers replacing Brad Barry as skipper, Finn Chapman, Jamal Lubanga, JJ Walker and Joe Clifford all getting a run out too. Very few chances at the beginning however as the game went on, the home side went close with an effort going past the right hand post whilst at the other end one of the trialists went close with an effort just over the bar before James Hull flashed a shot over too momentarily afterwards. Just before the end of the game Hastings were awarded a free kick which was headed to the back post where James Hull found the back of the net making it 2-0 to Hastings. A trio of efforts late on from James Hull, Tom Vickers and Fin Chapman were all kept out superbly well from the home goalkeeper prevented Horsham YM from going further down.
The game finished with Hastings winning by two goals. A solid performance from the group as they all get to know each other
Tom Dyson-Laurie
