The Chairman in his programme notes stated that this was history being made for Sheppey as this was their first ever FA Cup 1st Preliminary Round tie and at home and it shows how far the club has come in such a short space of time.
The first half started with Hastings showing who were the team in a higher league when they had probably 80% possession but not causing any problems, whilst it could be said that Sheppey gave them too much respect.
The first half chance of the game came in the 31st minute when Timmy Babington received the ball just inside the Hastings half & ran forward beating two defenders before from 20 yards seeing his shot saved by Josh Pelling then four minutes later a better chance came when a free kick floated into the area was half cleared to Tom Brunt on his own in the area but his volley flew over the bar.
The half time whistle went & Ernie Batten would have been the happier of the two managers as his team grew into the game whilst Adam Hinshelwood would have been disappointed as his team dominated possession but created nothing.
The second half was completely different from the first as in the 46th minute a cross into the area found captain Simon Johnson whose header went just over the bar landing on the top netting.
Three minutes later Sheppey had a half chance when Dan Bradshaw running into the area saw his shot from acute angle punched away for a corner by Pelling.
Another half chance came in the 53rd minute when Ian Batten’s cross into the area found Rob Saunders but from 12 yards his weak header was easily saved by Pelling.
Two minutes later Sheppey had a glorious chance to take the lead when Babington 40 yards running forward pushed the ball too far but won the tackle which left him 25 yards from goal & he went into the area & tried to go round Pelling but Pelling was able to grab the ball & the chance went a begging.
This suddenly woke Hastings up knowing that they were in a game & in the very next minute Billy Medlock 30 yards out cut inside & let fly from 20 yards just going past the post.
In the 64th minute Hastings took the lead probably against the run of play when Medlock passed sideways into the path of Johnson & his shot from 20 yards curled into the net beating Adam Highsted.
Hastings doubled their lead in the next minute when a counter attack saw Medlock latch onto a long ball turned inside & curled his shot into the net.
Eight minutes later & it could have been three when Medlock latched onto a loose pass went into the area but his weak effort from 10 yards was easily saved by Highsted.
A minute later & Sheppey should have a pulled a goal back when Bradshaw received the ball in the area & he passed inside for Babington who from 6 yards blazed his shot over the bar when it looked easier to score & that would be their last chance.
In the 78th minute Highsted came to the rescue when Johnson on the edge of the area put Medlock through & his shot was blocked & cleared.
The rest of the game saw Hastings running the clock down whilst Sheppey huffed & puffed.
The final whistle went & Hastings go through to the next round with £1950 in their pocket while Sheppey can be proud of the effort their team put in & not embarrassing themselves.
SHEPPEY UNITED:
- HIGHSTED 2. T.BRUNT (86) 3. K.AMOAH 4. R.SAUNDERS 5. J.RALPH 6. G.BATTEN (70) 7. L.GIRT 8. T. LOYNES (66) 9. D.BRADSHAW 10. I.BATTEN 11. T.BABINGTON
SUBS USED: 15. T.WILLIAMS (66) 16. J.MAHONEY (70) 14. H.AKHAZZAN (86)
SUBS NOT USED: 12. R.DAVIS 17. J.HUGGINS 18. J.COPPINS 19. J.CAREY
BOOKINGS: 6.G.BATTEN (23) 11. T.BABINGTON (68) 7. L.GIRT (88)
HASTINGS UNITED:
- PELLING 2. B.PRITCHARD (45) 3. S.CRYTWELL 4. L.CAREY 5. M.AZIAYA 6. T.VICKERS 7. J.DIXON 8. S.JOHNSON 9. J.HARRIS (72) 10. B.MEDLOCK 11. C.GAYLOR (58)
SUBS USED: 18. S.DULLAWAY (45) 17. D.RODARI (58) 15. A.JANNAH (72)
SUBS NOT USED: 12. O.BLACK 14. J.FIELDING 16. M.RODRIGUES-BARBOSA 19. Z.KIERAN
BOOKINGS: 6. T.VICKERS (29) 17. D.RODARI (89)
REFEREE: Mr M.EDWARDS
ASSISTANTS: Mr T.NICHOLLS & Mr M.EDWARDS
ATTENDANCE: 397