Foreman strike seals welcome win

A first half goal from Fred Foreman was enough to settle an uneventful Ryman Football League Premier Division fixture at The Pilot Field.

Neither side had really threatened until Foreman latched onto a Jack Walder pass in the 43rd minute and beat the goalkeeper with a low left-foot shot from just inside the box.

While not looking like conjuring up a second, United also didn’t look like conceding as they defended solidly. Kingstonian’s one real chance of the second half saw Bobby Traynor’s low shot saved by Lloyd Anderson.

United’s second win of the season and first at The Pilot Field moves them up two places to 15th in the table.

Hastings (4-5-1): Anderson; Dixon, Jirbandey, Manning, Sutton (Bolwell HT); Hopkinson (Hall 84), Crellin, Carey, Walder, Billings; Foreman (Pogue 68). Sub not used: Parris.

Standings (played seven matches unless stated): 1 Hendon 17pts, 2 Cray Wanderers 16, 3 Lowestoft Town 15, 4 Canvey Island 15, 5 Lewes (6) 13, 6 Wingate & Finchley 13, 7 AFC Hornchurch 12, 8 Billericay Town 12, 9 Wealdstone 12, 10 Bury Town 10, 11 Carshalton Athletic 10, 12 Metropolitan Police (6) 9, 13 Margate (6) 8, 14 East Thurrock United 8, 15 HASTINGS UNITED 8, 16 Tooting & Mitcham (6) 7, 17 Horsham 6, 18 Harrow Borough 5, 19 Concord Rangers 4, 20 Aveley 4, 21 Kingstonian 4, 22 Leatherhead 1.

Elsewhere last night, Sidley United’s 100 per cent start to the Sussex County League Division One campaign ended with a 2-0 loss away to unbeaten Lancing.

Full reports on both matches will appear in Friday’s Observers.