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Youthful United display a ruthless streak - 23/10/07

United coasted through this Sussex Senior Cup second round tie at the expense of County League Division Two side Wealden this evening, knocking in seven goals without reply amidst the picturesque surroundings of The Oaks ground near Uckfield. Three members of United's free scoring Youth Team, were handed their senior debuts, with Matt Maclean completing the scoring in the last minute, but the foundations for a largely convincing display were laid by Sam Adams' early brace, either side of one superb save from Jani Seitsonen, again deputising for Lee Worgan in the United goal. Tom Poole helped himself to a second half double, and the home side also contributed an own goal, while Nathan Russell got his name on the scoresheet for the first time, as United ran away with the contest against tiring opponents in the closing stages.

The inclusion of several younger players allowed manager Nigel Kane to rest a few members of his regular First Team squad, Rhys Whyborne, Danny Ellis, Scott Kirkwood, John Bradley and Tim Olorunda all being omitted, while Ade Olorunda served the second of his three match suspension. Kevin Rose returned to the starting line-up as part of a three man defence, with Nima Cham joining Matt Darby and playmaker Lee Carey in a central midfield trio. Dan Williams' recovery from an ankle injury earned him a place on the bench, although he was the unused substitute of the four named. Wealden went into the game lying in seventh place in the table, with an even record of five wins and five defeats from ten league matches. They had earned their place in the second round with an excellent victory over First Division side Chichester City United, although their recent progress had been hampered by the departure of leading scorer Wes Tate, a former United player, to Crowborough Athletic, and they were also missing seven goal striker Danny Curd, leaving them short of fire power for such a major test.

Although they ultimately went in at the interval with a comfortable two goal advantage, United actually put in a rather sluggish first half display, and their passing left a lot to be desired at times, particularly when deep in their own half of the pitch. Going forward though, United looked slick enough, with Danny Spice and Russell Eldridge both pushing on down the flanks at every opportunity, while Tom and Sam looked lively, despite the superior physical presence of their markers in the Wealden back four. Tom had the game's first chance in the ninth minute, but just failed to connect with Russell's dangerous cross, but five minutes later, Tom played a full part in the opening goal of the night, quickly closing down Wealden keeper Simon Davey, as he attempted to clear Sean Brownell's throw back into the area, and forcing a complete miskick, before setting up Sam for a simple finish into an unguarded net from eighteen yards out. The home side responded well and quickly forced a corner that was only cleared as far as Steve Davis just outside the United area, but Jani produced an outstanding, one-handed save to his right, to keep out Davis' well struck effort, and Liam Bull knocked the rebound across the face of the target and behind for a goal kick. United soon made the hosts pay by doubling their lead in the nineteenth minute, with Danny lobbing in an inch-perfect cross from the right for Sam to score with a close range half-volley. Once more though, Wealden retained a foothold in the contest, and ought to have pulled a goal back, when James West picked out Chris Ward with a simple long ball, but the striker's attempted chip sailed over both Jani's head and the crossbar, to let United off the hook again. It proved to be the home side's last chance of note, as United finally settled themselves down and found a better rhythm to their passing, although Wealden defended stoically to keep them at bay for the remainder of the half at least. That said, Nima should have increased United's lead two minutes before the break, but headed tamely wide from another excellent cross by Danny, and United had to be content with a two goal cushion at the turnaround.

Jack replaced Lee ahead of the restart, but United lost none of their midfield dominance as a consequence, and Sam and Tom both went close to extending the lead in the opening minutes of the second period. The third goal duly arrived nine minutes in, Russell attacking down the left and drilling in a low cross, which appeared to be turned in by defender Pete Christodoulou at the far post, although Tom later claimed the final touch. Davey denied Matt Darby a debut goal with a superb save from a glancing header, and Sam went close to a hattrick, driving a shot just wide from twenty-five yards. But it was a soft and scrappy own goal that gave United a four goal advantage in the sixty-fifth minute, Russell's deep free kick finding Kevin in space beyond the far post, his near post cross eventually being scrambled clear by skipper Chris Morrow, only for the ball to hit full back Lee Howard and rebound past the helpless Davey over the line. Six minutes later, United profited from another defensive error, Danny's low cross to the far post being met by a miskicked clearance from West, which simply sent the ball back across goal for Tom to poach his second of the game. Matt Maclean replaced Nima and, for a ten minute spell, United's central midfield was manned by all three Youth Team players, until Nathan took over from Matt Darby, promptly scoring with his first touch of the game, a looping header off the upright from another pinpoint cross by Danny. In the final few minutes, Davey tipped over Jack's stinging long range effort, and then pulled off a fine double save to deny Russell and Sean after a short corner. Sam missed another hattrick chance when he dribbled a shot across the face of goal and wide, before Matt Maclean made it a magnificent seven in the dying seconds, Russell's corner punched clear by Davey, but headed back towards goal by Nathan for Matt to apply the subtlest of finishing touches.

There was scarcely time for Wealden to kick off again, before the final whistle brought an end to a decent United display, effective enough in the first half, and ruthless after the interval, booking their place in the third round of the competition, where they will join the county's other top ranked sides. Meanwhile, this Saturday heralds a return to Ryman Premier action with a first ever league trip to second in the table Hendon.

Match facts	Efforts on target	Efforts off target	Free kicks conceded	Corners won	Offsides against
Wealden	2	4	8	1	1
Hastings United	14	8	10	8	1

Wealden (4-4-2)							Hastings United (3-5-2)
1 Simon Davey							1 Jani Seitsonen
2 James West							2 Jimmy Elford
3 Lee Howard							3 Russell Eldridge
4 Chris Morrow (c)							4 Danny Spice
5 Pete Christodoulou							5 Sean Ray (c)
6 Sean Brownell							6 Kevin Rose
7 Steve Davis							7 Lee Carey
8 Darren Gearing							8 Nima Cham
9 Chris Ward							9 Tom Poole
10 Craig Ottley							10 Sam Adams
11 Liam Bull							11 Matt Darby
Substitutes
12 Darran Beard (for Christodoulou 64)							12 Nathan Russell (for Darby 78)
14 Dan Poulton (for Davis 71)							14 Dan Williams
15 Alex Thompson							15 Matt Maclean (for Cham 68)
16 Tom Swancott (for Bull 64)							16 Jack Franklin (for Carey 45)
17 Keiron Howard

Attendance 125

Referee Grant Smith

Assistants Andy Colwell & Matt Goldsmith