Archive
Dr Martens League Eastern Division 2000-01
2/9/00 Chessington & Hook (0) 1 Hastings Town (4) 6 [FACPr]
Town coast over tricky hurdle
Burt 1, Simmonds 17, 65, P.Jones 28, T.White 43, 83 [p]
Att:- 267
What might've been a difficult FA Cup Qualifier against a Combined Counties League outfit making their first ever appearance in the competition, turned out to be as straight forward as the score suggests. The perfect start, 1-0 after a minute when the Chessington keeper didn't deal with a Terry free kick and Tony Burt was on hand to knock in an easy goal.
Town were completely in charge for the first half and a 4-0 interval score didn't flatter them. Jonesie set up Simmo with an easy second on 17 minutes and Jonesie then got his first of the season when he broke past two defenders and beat the keeper from an acute angle with a powerful effort. 43 minutes gone and 4-0 to Town when Terry's free kick from the corner of the box evaded everybody and went in off the far post. The only goal worthy attempt by Chessington saw their centre forward make a hash of a one on one with Kess - he should've done better.
Give Chessington their due - they came out fired up for the second half and for the opening 15 minutes gave Town a real game and had a couple of decent chances only for Town to make it 5-0 on 65 minutes when Simmo headed home off a post after good work by Yatesie down the left. Chessington didn't give up, though, and got a deserved consolation in the 70th minute when their sub finished off from close in.
But Terry's late penalty after Yatesie had been tripped gave the final score line which just about reflected Town's superiority against a side a good three divisions below in status. That'll be away to Ash United (Combined Counties again) or Portsmouth RN (Wessex League) in the 2nd Qualifying Round.
SS
The result of that match was; Portsmouth 1 Ash United 4. KH
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9/9/00 Hastings Town (1) 2 Burnham (0) 0
HOME DUCK BROKEN
P.Jones 40, Simmonds 64
Att:- 339
Town won this far more convincingly than the score suggests - and picked up their first home points after a disappointing start to the season had seen them go down to Erith and Newport. Burnham were nothing special - in fact - they were nothing apart from their niggling selves that we saw twice last season. If the sun had come out, Kess would’ve been given a deck chair.
Once Jonesie had given Hastings a 40th minute lead after a good break down the middle, there was little doubt to the outcome. He was set up by a fine pass from Terry White but man of the match by a mile was Duncan McArthur. Macca could have had a hat trick but for two near misses and a superb tip over save by Burnham keeper Michael Bolger who came to his side’s rescue on more than one occasion. This was Duncan’s best ever game for Town and if anybody from Palace was present he must have gone away well impressed.
Town’s second came on 64 minutes - a well taken effort from a tight angle by Danny Simmonds after Bolger had done well to block Simmo’s initial effort. Town really should have had more than two goals - Macca’s three chances, Yatesie thinking he was playing with an oval ball, Simmo’s one on one in the first half, Mylie’s long range effort as the second half started - but a win’s a win and there were promising signs once Town had scored that their passing game will be in evidence soon. Home supporters will be pleased to see their first Pilot Field points of the season after those disappointing results against Erith and Newport.
SS
16/9/00 Ash Utd (2) 2 Hastings Town (2) 4 [FAC1q]
FOLKESTONE HERE WE COME
Yates 3, Simmonds 81,84, McArthur 39
Att:- 176
Town made hard work of this FA Cup 1st Qualifier - but give credit to Combined Counties League leaders, Ash, who more than matched us for an hour at which point Town's superior fitness made a big difference.
It all started so promisingly when Yatesie finished off after some great work down the right by Stuart Myall. Could this be another 6 goal romp? Not a chance as Ash really got stuck in and eventually levelled on 37 minutes - quick break out of defence, Kess left exposed and 1-1. It got worse - a minute later we were behind when a long range effort flew past a motionless Kess who must surely have been unsighted. But Town were level in no time - three goals in as many minutes with Duncan McArthur's lobbed effort the best of the lot after he'd broken out of midfield. Ash were still very much in the game and nearly regained the lead when a free kick hit a post.
So - 2-2 at the break - a long break for Town who came out for the second half a good 5 minutes after Ash. This could be linked with some frank comments from Deano followed by a verbal mopping up from Jack Dalton. Er - it seemed to work. Ash had the better of the first 10 minutes or so of the second half but Town then took over and created half chance after half chance - that bloody ball would not bounce right - it was all one way traffic.
Just as we were getting ready for a replay - that frustrating Jones and Simmonds combination (I say frustrating because they can work so well together but all too often, don't) produced the goods with Jonesie setting Simmo up for a well taken effort into the roof of the net. And three minutes later it was 4-2 with the same combination doing the business once again.
We can look forward to an interesting game at Folkestone in a fortnight. We're due a decent result against them and certainly owe them for the double they did over us last season on their way to the Premier Division where they've taken a few knocks just lately. Steve Yates took a nasty knock today which saw him substitued half way through the first half. Talking to him in the bar afterwards, it sounds pretty unpleasant and he'd probably have been very doubtful for a replay.
SS
McArthur - Jalal latestReason unknown - the trial game Duncan was to play in at Crystal Palace never took place. But according to the Observer, he's off to Villa Park for a week's trial on Monday. G'luck Macca! Don't forget Kess's understudy - Shwan Jalal - Charlton are apparently interested in him. |
23/9/00 Witney Town (0) 3 Hastings Town (1) 3
6 goals maybe - but no thriller
Simmonds 28, White 66(p), Ruddy 80
Att:- 104
Town had to work hard for a point against a Witney side 100% better than the one we beat twice last season. A fairly even first half - Town possibly just edged it in terms of possession and 1-0 was a reasonable reflection of the way the game had gone up to half time.
No Steve Yates or Tony Kessell this afternoon - Yatesie still recovering from his knock at Ash and Kess nursing an ankle problem. Two perfectly able replacements stepped in - Paul Ruddy (who, I thought, had a bloody good game) and Shwan Jalal. No Duncan McArthur either - apparently his trial at Villa Park is going into a second week. Tupps - how could I forget Tupps - was the other one to step in.
Ruddy it was who had the first chance - set up after some fine work by Danny Simmonds - but what looked a certain goal was brilliantly beaten away by Tom King in the Witney goal. Paul Jones was doing a lot of hard work - as was Paul Ruddy who was all over the place - and the team was functioning pretty well - but Witney didn't look a bad outfit themselves.
28 minutes and 1-0, an outstanding effort by Simmo who picked up a long pass out of defence from Tupps, cut into the area from out wide and fired an unstoppable effort into the roof of the net. Great goal.
The second half was basically all Witney. They were first to the ball, never let our lads settle on the ball, and were the better side. No great surprise when they levelled on 58 minutes with what was either a hopeful punt into the area or a brilliant lobbed goal from the corner of the box. 1-2 on 61 minutes - a scramble in the Town box resulted in Witney's second. All these goals - a replay of Ash - Town back on terms on 66 minutes - a very dodgy penalty after Jonesie was brought down - the guy had played the ball (just) as he brought Paul down - our cries from behind the goal to the referee to wave play on in the great sporting tradition were ignored as he pointed to the spot - we just had to accept his decision. Terry duly did the business - 2-2.
74 minutes gone and Town were behind again - a break down the middle saw the ball rebound very kindly off Shwan and the chance was knocked in. Town might not have got their act together yet this season - but they don't give up and back they came to level on 80 minutes when Ruddy got a deserved goal - an emphatic header from a Simmo corner that the keeper could only push into the roof of the net.
Town dominated the last 10 minutes but couldn't get what would have been an undeserved winner. Very much a point gained against a useful Witney outfit who were recently done out of a win at Chelmsford by an injury time equaliser.
SS
Macca and Shwan latestYes - Duncan's having a second week at Villa Park. Looks very promising. More on that when we get it. Shwan is having three days at West Ham this coming week. So far as Macca's concerned - if things work out for him at Villa - even if they don't work out - credit where it's due to Deano for taking him on and managing what Brighton couldn't. To go from a Nationwide Div 3 reject to a player with Premiership potential in a year says loads for manager and player alike. TIME TO HIT THAT JINX!Our old mates Sittingbourne await at cavernous Central Park on Tuesday. What's that - 12 unsuccesful attempts so far? Well - Erith beat us for the first time this season - we are surely due a change of fortune against Sittingbourne. See you there and at Cheriton Road on Saturday. |
26/9/00 Sittingbourne (0) 1 Hastings Town (4) 5
JINX WELL AND TRULY BURIED!
Jones 11, McArthur 14,87, Myall 26, Simmonds 43
Att:- 212
At last - a win over our long time bogey opponents - the first time we've put one over them since they returned to the Southern League in 91/92 - what's that, 13th time lucky?
Thoroughly deserved and every bit as good as 5-1 suggests. 2-0 up with under 15 minutes gone - Jonesie set free down the middle to beat Town's old favourite, James Creed, in a one on one. 2-0 in no time - a fine strike from the edge of the box by Duncan McArthur back from his trials at Villa (AND he'd played a game the previous night). Sittingbourne were never in it in that opening 45 - Town completely on top - and further ahead on 26 minutes when Mylie nipped in behind a static Sittingbourne defence to head in a Terry free kick. Terry it was who set Simmo free to add Town's 4th just before the interval - Simmo's now scored in 5 consecutive games.
4-0 at half time against a side we hadn't beaten in years. When Jonesie had opened the scoring - that was the first time we'd ever led at Central Park - when Macca made it 2-0, that was the first time we'd had a two goal lead against them - and as for 4-0 at half time.......
You couldn't expect Town to play another 45 minutes like that - but while Sittingbourne came back into it, Town still looked perfectly capable of getting more goals. Exceptional piece of defending on 53 minutes by Stuart Playford when he got back to head clear a lobbed effort from under Shwan Jalal's bar. Sittingbourne got one back a minute or so later - an effort headed in from a free kick. Town still kept going forward and Creedy had to be at his best to keep out a Simmo effort. Almighty scramble in Town's 6 yard box saw Shwan pull of a point blank save on 70 minutes - and that was Sittingbourne's last meaningful effort on goal.
The icing on the cake came in the 86th minute - a superbly struck free kick from Macca to round off a great evening. The Sittingbourne supporters seemed to blame it all on the referee - yes he was clearly at fault with all our goals and had he not been officiating, we'd have lost 1-0.
Paul Ruddy went off late in the game - or more to the point - was carried off. Looks doubtful for Saturday's FA Cup tie at Folkestone. Still no Kess or Yatesie - hmm could be a few missing still for that one.
DEAN WHITE TO BRIGHTON!Very much the main topic of conversation on the windy terraces of Central Park - the news that Deano's going to Brighton to be Micky Adams' assistant manager following the departure of Alan Cork to Cardiff. Details still sketchy at the moment (Tuesday night) - but one name being bandied about as a replacement is Steve Lovell. Whatever - we owe Dean for sticking things out when it all looked so bleak and I'm sure you'll all wish him the very best as he moves back into full time football. I certainly do. SS. |
30/9/00 Folkestone Inv. (0) 1 Hastings Town (0) 1 [FAC2q]
Deano's reign ends in style!
Jones 63
Att:- 500
Today was Dean White's final game in charge before he moves back into full time football with Brighton - and the team did him proud with their best performance of the season at Premier Division Folkestone. The fact that the Invicta keeper was named man of the match tells a tale all of it's own.
Last season, Town performed abysmally in both fixtures and conceded 6 points to Invicta as they marched on into Premier Division football with 15 points to spare. Today - Town played absolutely superbly and thoroughy deserved a second crack on Tuesday night. After just 5 minutes, they'd already gone twice with Simmo and Jonesie having good efforts. Invicta reminded us there were two sides out there when a long range effort rebounded off Kess's right post in the 7th minute.
After a spell midway through the opening 45 when both side kept giving the ball away, Town really got on top. Terry's headed effort on 37 minutes was ruled out by an offside flag - a minute later, Dave Witecha in the Invicta goal, pulled off the first of several fine saves when he pushed away an excellent effort from Duncan McArthur who was to have another fine game after a quiet start. Then Danny set up Jonesie from close in - how Witecha managed to push his shot over the bar was anybody's guess.
Invicta should have gone ahead on 50 minutes only for an effort from close in to be sliced over Kess's bar. Town soon got back into their stride and on 58 minutes a fine effort from Macca was cleared off the line for a corner. A minute later - completely against the run of play - Invicta went 1-0 up - a good run to the by line followed by a low hard cross which was turned in to the delight of the home crowd.
Town showed that determination that's been a feature of their season - almost immediately, Jonesie saw another effort thwarted by Witecha. 63 minutes gone - and it was 1-1 after some great work by Stuart Myall saw him cut a low ball back to Jonesie who's effort looped into the net with the help of a deflection. Perhaps that was Town's quota of luck all gone - because on 66 minutes - as good a shout as you'll ever see for a penalty was turned down by referee Bottomer who saw nothing wrong with the way Jonesie was bundled off the ball. Invicta lucky not to concede a penalty and the full back lucky not to get a red card. The referee's surname just about summed up that particular decision which was a shame on two counts - what it meant to us and that it spoilt what was a good performance by the man in black.
The final close shave of a highly entertaining game was at the far end when a vicious shot/ cross flew across Kess's goal with no-one able to get on the end of it. That would have been cruel on Town who put in a fine 90 minutes graft with very promising signs of what we know those players are capable of. Of course a run in the FA Cup's something we'd all like to see - but if that football can be produced in Eastern Division games - then we must be in with a good shout of getting our Premier Division place back, and with it, the opportunity to shove silverware up any high ranking DM League officials who have the nerve to show up.
Well played boys - make sure you're there to shout them on in the replay!
CHEERS DEANO
There were plenty of Town supporters in the 500 gate and a substantial number stayed to cheer the team off and to show their appreciation to Dean White. He could have chucked it all in 18 months ago as the club and supporters started to realize just what the Gardiner legacy was all about. But he stuck it out and I'm convinced that his loyalty to the cause was the main reason so many of the 98/99 squad were still here last season - and this.
George Wakelin takes over on Monday and his first game will be the replay of today's FA Cup tie. George had a short spell at Ashford a year or so ago preceeded by a long spell at Bromley. I was told today that he's been scouting for Reading lately. The only downer is that- apparently - he's good mates with Billy Smith, the Crawley manager - but, get us up, George, and we might just overlook that.
So - all the best Dean - at Brighton, and the same to George at The Pilot Field.
SS
The replay will be played at 7:30 on Tuesday night, at the Pilot Field.