Hastings United vs Herne Bay – FA Cup Preliminary Round – Preview
On Saturday 12th September, Hastings United welcome Herne Bay to the Pilot Field for an FA Cup Preliminary Round. Whilst unusual for the first competitive game of a new season to be a cup game, the league does not commence until 19th September. We are where we are.
Important information: Capacity is limited to 400 and attendance is by pre-purchased ticket only.
Pre-season friendlies round-up
United completed their tenth and final pre-season friendly with a trip to Maldon & Tiptree last weekend, coming home with a 1-0 victory courtesy of Tom Chalmers’ header. This result made it six wins from ten, with two draws and two defeats. The ‘U’s have scored 23 goals and the miserly defence only conceded 5.
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Herne Bay’s preparation for the new season consists of nine friendlies. They’ve won seven of these games, with one draw and a single defeat. Beaten only by Folkestone Invicta 3-0, who also happened to beat United 1-0. The Bay have scored 23 goals and conceded 15.
Recent previous meetings
The teams met only once last season, a league game at the Pilot Field. United were top having rescued a point away to Sevenoaks Town the previous weekend, scoring twice in the final ten minutes. Recall, if you will, Ben Pope’s dramatic equalising penalty with the last kick of the game.
Herne Bay came along with some decent form of their own and were sitting in 6th place but level on points with the teams in 4th and 5th.
It was a bitterly cold Tuesday evening in January, and a very decent crowd of 510 brave souls witnessed an entertaining toe-to-toe encounter which ended in a scoreless draw.
FA Cup last season
At this stage last season, the ‘U’s defeated Broadbridge Heath 2-1 at the Pilot Field. In the first qualifying round United had to settle for a replay after Worthing equalised deep into injury-time to secure a 3-3 draw. The following Tuesday and United were two goals to the good with less than fifteen minutes remaining only for Worthing to force extra-time and win the tie with a goal in the 119th minute. The least said, the better.
The Bay also won their preliminary tie but lost 3-0 away to Haringey Borough in the first qualifying round.
Bottom line
For both teams this is a particularly tough introduction to the new season. Like the meeting in January we can expect a close hard-fought game.Thankfully there will be no need for woolly hats and thermal gloves this Saturday.
It is worth noting there are no FA Cup replays this season, to assist in easing pressure on the football schedule. Also, as this is a qualifying round there is no extra-time.
All of which means this tie must be completed at the first attempt, and if the match is drawn after 90 minutes the winner will be determined by penalty kicks.
Match information
Saturday 12th September, 3pm kick off at the Pilot Field (Elphinstone Road, TN34 2AX).
Admission is by pre-purchased ticket only.
£12 for adults, £8 for concessions (OAP/Students) and £1 for Under-16’s (with parental supervision).