Archive
Dr Martens League Eastern Division 1999-00
4/9/99 Molesey (0) 0 Hastings Town (0) 3 [FA Cup 1st qualifying round]
Simmonds 80, White 84(p), Harrison 90
Att:- 91
One of those awkward FA Cup ties against opposition from a lower league - in this case, Ryman Div 2. Actually, we look reasonably comfortable and Tony Kessel in goal has very little to do. But the longer the game goes on without us scoring - the more uncomfortable WE get behind the Molesey goal.
Jonesie goes closest in the first half with a chip that clips the crossbar and Simmo launches the ball into outer space with just the keeper to beat. Second half - not particularly inspiring with the heat and a bumpy pitch playing their parts as we start looking at a replay. But a minute or so after the Molesey right back goes off after a nasty clash of heads with Mylo - it's 1-0 when Simmo bundles home from close range and 4 minutes later it's 2-0 when Terry knocks in yet another penalty after Duncan MacArthur gets yanked down in the box. Sub Grant Harrison slots in a well taken goal from the edge of the box in injury time - of which there's quite a bit.
So - Newbury of the Wessex League in the 2nd Qualifier on the 18th - at The Pilot Field. Sorry that St Leonards won't be in the competition after their defeat at the hands of Bognor last night.............
And finally - Rachel, the Molesey physio is prettier than ANY physio we've ever had - why can't we have one like that?
Simon Stoddart
11/9/99 Spalding (0) 0 Hastings Town (1) 3
TOWN SPANK SPALDING!
Simmonds 7, P.Jones 47,83Att 221
As comprehensive as the score suggests - and it could have been more. Paul Jones and Danny Simmonds link up really well from the start and after 7 minutes, Simmo puts Town 1-0 up after some great work down the right by Jonesie. The Spalding keeper pulls of a good save to deny Jonesie late in the half - and 1-0 at half time is a good reflection of the game on a hot afternoon.
Town start off like a train in the second half - another good save from the Spalding keeper denies Jonesie again - but a minute later he latches onto a superb pass from Terry White to make it 2-0 from the edge of the box. Smudger Smith has to go off for stitches after a clash of heads with Paul Hobbs but the rejigged Town defence copes well with Steve Sargeant, who’s re-signed this week, coming on in Smudger’s place.
Stewart Myall hits the post as Town continue to dominate but the third comes in the 83rd minute when Simmo turns provider for Jonesie who taps in from two feet out.
Excellent result - but we only go up one place to 6th. Nice to get that Dartford fiasco shunted into the background though.
Simon Stoddart
14/9/99 Hastings Town (1) 3 Bashley (0) 1
TOWN BASH "THE BASH"
McArthur 11, Simmonds (p) 48, Myall 73Att:- A pathetic 245
Ok, the weather was nothing special - but 235 through the gate to watch a Town side that's made such a good start to the season - is, like it says, pathetic. 16 of us spent 8 hours on a coach on Saturday to watch the boys in action at Spalding - others made their way there by other means - yet out of a local population of 80,000 - just 235 could be bothered to spend 10 minutes driving or walking to The Pilot Field.
As to the game that was played on a difficult, slippery surface. No Steve Smith who's recovering from his head banging session with Hobbsie at Spalding, or Terry White who picked up a dead leg in the same game - but Spencer Mintram and Duncan MacArthur were back in action. Macca put us 1-0 up after Simmo's crafty corner routine fooled Bashley. Yet another penalty was put away by Simmo before we gave away one ourselves.
Game and points made safe thanks to Mylo's thunderbolt from way out - contender for goal of the season already? Frustratingly - everybody above us won as well so we remain 6th - but are only 2 points behind Folkestone who currently top the division. Early, early days yet - let's make sure we're still in touch in another month or two.......
Simon 'Hairy Spice' Stoddart
18/9/99 Hastings Town (0) 3 Newbury (1) 1 [FA Cup 2nd qualifying round]
Elford 59, White 69, 80 (2p)
Att :- 401
Town given a big fright by Wessex League Newbury who took an early lead when Steve Yates lost possession deep in his half. It looked like it was going to be one of those days - scuffed shots, no breaks from the ref or linesmen, blatant time wasting by Newbury - we’ve all seen it before.
Town were much better in the second half and dominated from the start. Jimmy Elford, who came on for Tommy Osbourne, bundled home the equaliser and from then on it was one way traffic. Where do these penalties keep coming from? That’s 9 in as many games, 10 if you add on the one Bashley had the other night. Incredible.
Matt Ball upended for the first one - then Mylo’s brought down and that spot kick secures a 3rd Qualifying Round trip to either Newport IOW or Dulwich who were drawing 1-1 last I heard.
Simon Stoddart.
25/9/99 Stamford (0) 1 Hastings Town (1) 1
LATE STAMFORD STUNNER!
Simmonds 6
Att :- 143
Just about the most one sided draw you'll ever see. Should have had the game wrapped up by half time. What a quality strike for the goal, though. Terry hit a corner to Danny on the edge of the box and he volleyed it perfectly. The Stamford right back got a foot to it but could only divert the ball into the roof of the net.
Jonesie had a game he'll want to forget - could well have had a second half hat trick as Town continued to dominate proceedings in some appalling weather. Not that he was the only one - numerous chances went begging - and then out of nothing Stamford equalised in the 88th minute after the linesman told the referee (who also had an eminently forgettable afternoon) the ball had crossed Tony Kessel's line after a goal mouth scramble.
Unbelievable - totally dominated the game - outplayed a side that's unbeaten in the league - and only got a point to show for it. Definitely a case of two points lost. We drop to 7th.
Simon Stoddart
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