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Adams stunner clinches first away success - 20/10/07

United progressed to the second qualifying round of the FA Trophy for the first time since the competition reverted to its current format five seasons ago, thanks to a long range, second half winner from Sam Adams, which also provided United with their first win of the season away from the Pilot Field. On paper, a first ever visit to last season's Spartan South Midlands League champions Edgware Town, the current Ryman Division One North leaders, and boasting an unbeaten home record, looked far from straightforward, but United acquitted themselves well in the opening period, and led early on through Tom Poole's first goal for the Club. Debutant United keeper Jani Seitsonen was then beaten for the equaliser just before the interval, but after Sam's stunning strike just before the hour mark, Jani came to United's rescue with a superb late save to keep their noses in front and to avoid any need for a midweek replay.

Having had the home side watched on a couple of occasions before today's contest, manager Nigel Kane chose to start with a bespoke 3-4-3 formation, Jimmy Elford keeping his place in the heart of defence following a fine performance against Carshalton Athletic on Tuesday, alongside Rhys Whyborne and skipper Sean Ray, back from a one match ban. Danny Spice and Russell Eldridge played wide right and wide left respectively, either side of the central combination of Tim Olorunda and Scott Kirkwood, while Tom replaced the suspended Ade Olorunda, linking up with Sam in attack, with Danny Ellis playing just behind them. Perhaps a still bigger surprise than the formation was the appearance of Jani in goal, in place of Lee Worgan, who had sprained his ankle against Carshalton, an injury not considered overly serious, but bad enough to force him to miss his first game since joining the Club. Lee Carey was the other player to have started on Tuesday to miss out, named as one of four substitutes, which also included Kevin Rose, back from his one match ban. The home side had impressively overcome an uncertain prelude to their debut Ryman League campaign, the threatened loss of their White Lion Ground to developers, to soar to the top of the table, with only one defeat in their first ten league fixtures, and one other narrow loss in the FA Cup away to Eastbourne Borough. Seven goal leading scorer Greg Ngoyi was to provide the main attacking threat, although his six goal colleague Stuart Blackburne was only named on the bench.

United started the game in fine fashion, when Danny Ellis was alert to pick up the ball from a poor kick by Wares' keeper Darren Bonfield and drawing a foul, but Russell curled his free kick just wide from the edge of the area. Edgware were then forced into a very early change, as defender Ben Hayden suffered a suspected broken nose in a challenge with Sam and left the pitch with a bloodied face to be replaced by Jason Fernee. United were making good use of the ball and were patient in the build-up, although a rare Edgware attack saw their first shooting opportunity of the game fall to Johnny Moore, whose effort flew well over the bar. Sam sent Russell free down the left with a superb pass but the ensuing cross was tame and easily collected by Bonfield, but United’s increasing dominance was rewarded with the opening goal of the game in the eighteenth minute, a long throw from Danny Spice bouncing through the Wares' penalty area and finding its way to Tom, who smashed a shot home from twelve yards out. Danny Spice was then just unable to get his head to Sam's cross, while just past the half hour mark, United were denied a good penalty claim as Tim appeared to be pulled down in the area, only for play to be waved on. At this point, Edgware began to look stronger, with United losing their grip on the game, a dangerous free kick conceded by Rhys out on the touchline was dealt with by Sean, and not long after, Paul Marks fired over when well placed. As half time approached, United appeared to have weathered the Wares' storm, until an obvious handball just outside the home team’s box was ignored by the referee, the ball being passed quickly into the United half forcing Russell to concede a corner with a hurried clearance. And despite having plenty of players inside their own six yard box, United were unable to deal with the delivery and substitute Fernee swept the ball past Jani from close range to send the teams in for half time with the scores level.

The second half got off to a slow start, but in the fifty-seventh minute, United struck with what proved to be the winner, the ball arriving at Sam's feet some thirty yards from goal, and his unexpected and swerving shot left Bonfield static as it squeezed just inside the post. Scott was replaced by Lee and United settled back into their passing game, with Edgware skipper Rory Smith nearly heading into his own net from Russell's dangerous cross. With twenty minutes remaining, Edgware broke following a poor pass out of defence from Sean. Although Jani was unable to reach the resulting cross, it was smuggled clear for a corner, and Jani gathered safely to keep United in front. A couple of minutes later, John Bradley replaced Danny Ellis, as United continued to persevere with their thus far successful formation, and a deep corner from Russell was rescued by Sam, whose cheeky shot from a tight ankle was fumbled round the post by Bonfield. Just seven minutes were left on the clock when Jani produced a great reaction tip-over save from Ricky White's fiercely hit shot, after Danny Spice and Tim had both missed their attempted challenges, effectively ending the home side's challenge in what had been a rare moment of concern for United's stand-in custodian.

When all was said and done, United had confidently negotiated a potentially tricky tie and registered their first cup win of the campaign at the third attempt. It will allow them to bank a cheque for £1,500 in prize money, and to take their place in Monday's second qualifying round draw, with that tie to take place in two weeks time. Hopefully buoyed by their success, United will be on the hunt for more cup glory on Tuesday evening, when they visit the humble surroundings of County League Division Two side Wealden, for a Sussex Senior Cup second round clash.

Match facts	Efforts on target	Efforts off target	Free kicks conceded	Corners won	Offsides against
Edgware Town	2	4	9	6	0
Hastings United	3	3	16	7	0

Edgware Town (3-5-2)							Hastings United (3-4-3)
1 Darren Bonfield							1 Jani Seitsonen
2 Densil Davidson							2 Jimmy Elford
3 Gavin Hart							3 Russell Eldridge
4 Ben Hayden							4 Rhys Whyborne
5 Chris Ingham							5 Sean Ray (c)
6 Rory Smith (c)							6 Tim Olorunda
7 Paul Marks							7 Danny Spice
8 Johnny Moore							8 Scott Kirkwood
9 Greg Ngoyi							9 Tom Poole
10 Ben Cain							10 Sam Adams
11 Adil Salih							11 Danny Ellis
Substitutes
12 Jason Fernee (for Hayden 4)							12 Lee Carey (for Kirkwood 57)
14 Stuart Blackburne (for Cain 62)							14 John Bradley (for Ellis 72)
15 Ricky White (for Marks 69)							15 Nima Cham
16 Steve Brady							16 Kevin Rose
17 Steve Newing

Attendance 111

Referee Alfonzo Field

Assistants Paul O'Hare & Robert Hey