It’s Saturday and the suns out, albeit with a cold wind, perfect weather for a few pints of beer and to watch the Champions Elect Hastings United face Three Bridges at home.
Three Bridges kick off the first half however its United who instantly press with Tom Chalmers driving a run towards the 18 yard box, the Bridges defender does his job and clears his lines for a throw in, the resulting throw in is taken and a neat cross into the box is fired like a bullet into the center of goal by Ben Pope as the celebrations start in the Cole Warren stand, barely 5 minutes have past and Hastings find themselves 1-0 up.
The ‘U’s keep the pressure going, as the clock hits 10 minutes James Hull is brought down in the box, Ben Pope steps up however the Three Bridges goal keeper is up for the challenge and parry’s the ball out for a corner. The resulting corner is defended well by Three Bridges and it remains 1-0.
Three Bridges try a long shot however its scuffed and Louis Rogers comes out to claim the ball, a long pass up finds Craig Stone out of position, don’t let this fool you he is able to cross beautifully into an unmarked Finn O’Mara who heads it neatly past the goal keeper putting Hastings United 2-0 up in the 20th minute.
Hastings continue pressing with chances from Dave Martin and Tom Chalmers both going wide, in the final 10 minutes of the first half Three Bridges have 3 half-hearted chances with no real threats to Rogers in goal, the referee brings an end to the first half with the ‘U’s firmly in control.
HT: Hastings United 2 – 0 Three Bridges
No changes for either side as Hastings kick off for the second half with possession and pressure firmly with United. The real gasping moment was when the keeper leaves his box to clear a cross only for it to fall to Hasler whose chip over the goal keeper is just centimetres wide. A few more chances for Hastings United which sail either wide or over keep the pressure firmly in the Three Bridges half.
A rare chance for Bridges as they shoot from distance with Rogers able to comfortably bring the ball under control. The game remains with Hastings United and they comfortably see out the game after 3 minutes of extra time.
FT Hastings United 2 – 0 Three Bridges
Man of the Match: Sam Hasler
Attendance: 1416
Teams:
Hastings United
1. Louis Rogers 3. Ryan Worrall (Replaced By 10. Sam Adams 68′) 4. Finn O’Mara (Goal 20′) 5. Craig Stone 6. Tom Chalmers 8. Jack Dixon 9. Ben Pope (Goal 5′) 11. Sam Hasler (Cautioned 87′) 12. Marcus Goldsmith 17. James Hull (Replaced by 14. Kenny Pogue 59′) 19. Dave Martin (Replaced by 16. Kane Penn 75′)
Subs: 10. Sam Adams 14. Kenny Pogue 15. Ismaila Diallo 16. Kane Penn 18. Louie Hoad
Three Bridges
1. Mitch Bromage 2. Joe Stone 3. Giani Ashley (Replaced By 14. Daniel Nunes 75′) 4. Michael Wilson 5. Tad Bromage 6. Ryan Brackpool 7. Curtis Gayler (Cautioned 87′) 8. Brannon O’Neill 9. Dan Perry 11. Noel Leighton (Replaced By 18. Kevin Rivera 75′) 19. Charlie Lambert (Replaced By 16. Cameron Lawson 59’)
12. James Young 14. Daniel Nunes 16. Camron Lawson 18. Kevin Rivera