Archive
Dr Martens League Eastern Division 1999-00
14/8/99 Hastings Town (1) 2 VS Rugby (0) 0
White 39(p), Myall 55
Att:- 334
First match of the season under the belt, and for a change it wasn't a draw! The team were a little unsteady at times, but will improve once the new players gel. The game started slowly and apart from VS Rugby missing a golden chance after Kessell stranded himself, the only exciting thing that happened in the first ten minutes was a car alarm going off at the wood end for no apparent reason. Tezza White put us one up after 39 minutes after delicately blasting home a penalty; awarded for a foul in the box. Dissapointingly the rain didn't bring forth a comedy of errors.
The second half brought more rain and with the clock showing 55 minutes Myall managed to 'bounce' the ball home through a crowded box. His resulting celebration of breakdancing finished with a fine demonstration of a backspin. VS Rugby never really felt that dangerous and Hastings started to settle down. Occasionaly sparks of last season appeared with some good passing moves from Steve Smith and Mintram. Chances were created for Simmonds, Smith and McArthur but their final touches let them down.
KH
21/8/99 Hastings Town (5) 6 Southwick (0) 1 [FA Cup Prelim round]
White 3(p), Myall 10,38, Simmonds 31, Mintram 34, P Jones 63
Att:- 344
Sussex county division 2 Southwick were overwhelmed in the first half of this comfortable victory. The first 10 minutes saw a similarity to the match against Rugby, White again on target from the penalty spot after 3 minutes, and Myall taking the second on 10 minutes, breakdancing once more. Southwick's defence was torn to shreds, and Simmonds scored on 31, followed shortly by an excellent solo goal from Mintram (34). Myall's second went in off the inside of the post to make it 5-0 on 38 minutes, however his breakdancing was not to be seen again.
With the half time score as it was Hastings tool their collective foot off the pedal and O'Donnell scored one back after the break. Manager Dean White took the chance to test out some of the substitutes. Paul Jones had an excellent run and fully deserved his goal on 63 minutes. Full credit to Southwick who kept their heads up and although not really shining, did themselves justice in their much improved second half.
Hastings are away to Molesey in the first qualifying round on the 4th September.
KH
28/8/99 Hastings Town (1) 3 Chelmsford City (0) 1
Mintram 22, White 48(p), 82(p)
Att:- 419
This was the first real test of the season and Hastings did themselves proud in this highly charged clash at the Pilot Field. Good end to end football with no clear cut chances for the first twenty minutes. On 22 minutes Hastings were awarded a corner, Tezza White launched a deep ball which went over everyone except Mintram who headed powerfully home through a tangle of players in front of the goal. Back to the scrap and Chelmsford remained positive and clearly weren't going to lie down easily. Hastings defence will have gained confidence from this display with the boys at the back making some excelently timed tackles on Chelmsford's attacking runs. Towards the end of the half Mintram was seen to be limping after a tackle. Deep into injury time a fantastic pass from one of Dean's white army found the feet of McArthur who was promptly downed. Penalty says the ref and White scored again from the spot.
The second half was again a passionate affair. Chelmsford continued passing it around and pushing forward with Hastings neutralising the danger. However Mintram limped off early into the half and Smith moved to left back. On 68 minutes a foul just outside the box against resulted in a free kick for Chelmsford. From the kick a player managed to tuck it away at the far post. Chelmsford were bouyed by the goal but couldn't quite finish their moves. On 82 minutes Paul Jones received the ball in the opposition box and was brought down by their goalie Catley who received the red card. Ginger took his place and although going the right way couldn't get in front of yet another penalty from the man White. The final ten minutes saw Hastings have the majority of the possesion, but Ginger did well, and made a couple of good saves to deny Hastings any further glory.
KH
30/8/99 Dartford (4) 4 Hastings Town (0) 2
Purgatory at Purfleet!
Murder on the M25!!
Disaster at Dartford!!!
White 47(p), Elford 77
Att:- 419
What a horrendous afternoon. Looked so good against Chelmsford on the Saturday - a game we thought we might get a point from - go to Purfleet where Dartford groundshare (perhaps a tad complacent) and find ourselves 0-4 down after 27 minutes. A combination of everything Dartford trying, coming off, and our awful defending, are responsible for three of the goals.
And yet, once we get going, we dominate the best part of an hour - get back in it with yet another penalty from Terry (that's five in six games!) and then give Dartford the runaround for the rest of the game. Jimmy Elford's well taken effort from an excellent Steve Yates cross gets us back in with a whisper of a chance - but it's not to be. And after that opening half an hour, we can hardly complain. Deano apologizes to us as he goes off at the end.
Micky Crowe, our old coach, now at Dartford, must have loved every minute of it. Any early season illusions see us drop from top to 7th - it might just do us the world of good. But we do need a centre half!
Small consolation in knowing that St Leonards lost again - and Crawley look determined already to join us in the Eastern Division after their latest defeat - at Salisbury.
SS