Sevenoaks Town lost to a superb Hastings United side, who showed why they are the favourites for promotion with a great display of football.

Hastings came out of the blocks the quickest when in the 2^nd minute a corner to the back post saw veteran Gary Elphick volley wide under pressure, the Sevenoaks had their first half chance when in the 7^th minute Danny Devine cross into the area saw Jason Thompson head wide.

In the next minute Sam Hasler saw his free kick from 30 yards parried away by Ben Bridle-Card. Hastings were now enjoying a lions slice of possession with Sevenoaks relying on breakaways and in the 10^th minute a long throw by Ollie Black into the penalty area was flicked on for Tom Chalmers but his volley was deflected for a corner & the corner to the back post was headed goal wards but palmed out by Bridle-Card but only to Elphick who from 4 yards smashed the ball into the net.

In the 12^th minute Dave Martin on the left passed inside to Hasler & his first time shot went just past the post. In the very next minute in a rare attack Louis Collins latched onto a loose ball in the area but his shot was saved by Louis Rogers.

Another chance went a begging in the 21^st minute when a long throw from Black was punched clear by Bridle-Card but only to Sam Adams but his volley from 10 yards flew over the bar.

A minute later & it was two when Martin on the left saw his pinpoint cross into the area find Ben Pope & unopposed headed in. In the 36^th minute in another rare attack Stefan Wright in the area saw his cross shot beat Rogers but not the defender who cleared it off the line.

Hastings finished the half with three good chances to increase their lead when firstly in the 40^th minute another Black long throw into the area was allowed to bounce & Chalmers saw his shot go over the bar two minutes later & Chalmers saw his header go over the bar.

In the 43^rd minute a lovely piece of passing saw Sam Hasler in the area & his shot from 15 yards was saved.

The second half was only 4 minutes old when Hastings went three up, a foul was committed 20 yards out & Hasler stepped up & beat the wall & Bridle-Card.

In the 55^th minute it was nearly four when Roger’s long kick was chested down by Chalmers for Pope but his volley went over the bar. In the 60^th minute Sevenoaks had a great chance to get a goal back when a long throw into the area was half cleared to Wright & his shot from 8 yards was saved by Rogers.

In the 62^nd minute Sevenoaks broke their duck when Collins down the left got to the by-line & picked out substitute Hayden Skerry who from 10 yards smashed it in. Sevenoaks were enjoying a bit of possession & in the 77^th minute Skerry’s cross found Joe Tennent but he headed over the bar.

Hastings woke up & scored their fourth when Kenny Pogue flicked on for Pope who turned & shot home.

The final whistle went & the team from Sussex showed their class & picked up their second league of the season & Sevenoaks will have to say truthfully they lost to the better team.

         

SEVENOAKS TOWN:

1. B.BRIDLE-CARD   2. D.DIVINE   3. T.COONEY   4. M.CABUNE   5. J.TENNENT  6. D.GUNNER (59) 7. K.DeSILVA   8. S.WRIGHT  9. J.THOMPSON (78)   10. L.COLLINS   11. B.DAVISSON (34)

SUBS USED: 14. M.WALSH (34)    15. H.SKERRY (59)   16. L.BAH (78)

SUBS NOT USED: 12. C.HOLMES   17. B.SCHAFER

BOOKINGS:  NONE

HASTINGS UNITED:

1. L.ROGERS  2. O.BLACK  4. G.ELPHICK  6. T.CHALMERS  8. J.DIXON  9. B.POPE (85)  10. S.ADAMS 11.  S.HASLER (72)  12. M.GOLDSMITH  15. N.JENKINS  19. D.MARTIN (75)

SUBS USED:  7. W.AZEEZ (72)  14. K.POGUE (75)  5. J.HULL (85)  

SUBS NOT USED: 17. F.LEGG  18. K. SCOTT

BOOKINGS: 19. D.MARTIN (67)

REFEREE: Mr R.WHARTON

ASSISTANTS: Mr S.HALL  & Mr A.STACCHINI

ATTENDANCE: 206