United sunk by leaders’ early strike

Hastings United’s footballers suffered a second single goal defeat in the space of four days.
Sam Adams saw a first half penalty saved during Hastings United's 1-0 defeat away to Folkestone Invicta tonight. Picture courtesy Joe KnightSam Adams saw a first half penalty saved during Hastings United's 1-0 defeat away to Folkestone Invicta tonight. Picture courtesy Joe Knight
Sam Adams saw a first half penalty saved during Hastings United's 1-0 defeat away to Folkestone Invicta tonight. Picture courtesy Joe Knight

The U’s went down 1-0 away to early Ryman Football League Division One South pacesetters Folkestone Invicta tonight (Tuesday) having lost by the same score at home to Carshalton Athletic at the weekend.

The decisive moment came in only the third minute when United goalkeeper Josh Pelling miscued an attempted clearance and former U’s midfielder Ronnie Dolan fired home from the edge of the area.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

United had actually squandered a clear chance before that when Max Hollobone blazed over from a Jack Harris cross. Later in the half, they had an even better opportunity, but Sam Adams saw his penalty saved by Folkestone goalkeeper Tim Roberts.

Pelling made a superb save at the other end shortly before the break and Dolan headed wide of a virtually empty net as Folkestone led 1-0 at half time, as they had en route to a 4-1 win in the reverse fixture a fortnight ago.

In the second half, Adams had a free kick saved by Roberts in between Pelling pulling off two super stops at the opposite end to keep United - who were without the suspended Sam Cole - in the game.

Folkestone went down to 10 men around 20 minutes from time when captain Liam Friend was shown a straight red card after United midfielder Jack Walder went in high on Phil Starkey, for which he was booked.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

United dominated possession thereafter, but despite five minutes of added time, they were unable to fashion an equaliser against a Folkestone side which now boasts 22 points from a possible 24 this season.

United: Pelling, Crabb, Hall, Rowe, Ray, Walder, Adams, Vickers, Attwood, Harris, Hollobone. Subs: Okoh, Smith, Temba, Richardson-Brown, Rose.

Don’t miss out on all the latest breaking news where you live.

Here are four ways you can be sure you’ll be amongst the first to know what’s going on.

1 Make this website your homepage

2 Like our Facebook page at facebook.com/pages/Sport-Sussex

3 Follow us on Twitter @SportSussex

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

4 Register with us by clicking on ‘sign in’ (top right corner). You can then receive our daily newsletter AND add your point of view to stories that you read here.

And do share with your family and friends - so they don’t miss out!

Related topics: