Under 12s
1066 Sporting Club Rother Youth League

Home kit and rain jackets sponsored by
Nigel's School of Motoring
Telephone 01424 442181 or 07709 718449
Email nigelssom@hotmail.com

Away kit sponsored by Doggy Paddle
K9 Hydrotherapy Referral Centre
72B Parker Road, Hastings, TN34 3TT
Telephone 01424 718980

Manager: Mr Dean Jinks

Tel: 01424 423301
Mobile: 07900 006102
Email: deanj26@aol.com

News

22 April - The players of United's Under 12s and Under 12 Colts squads visited Queens Park Rangers Football Club for a Matchday Experience on Saturday 19 April.

They started their day at Loftus Road by meeting Andy Evans from Rangers In The Community, and then moved on to a pitchside tour, also taking in the dressing rooms, the executive boxes and the trophy room, even getting to see a trophy presented to Rangers by Hastings Town after a match back in 1992.

The boys then went to the nearby Linford Christie Stadium for two and a half hours of structured training with the development coaches. At the end of the session, the coaches presented an award to the players with the best attitude from their respective groups, these going to Stephen Pelling from the Under 12s, and to Luke Darvil from the Colts. Parents and proud coaches watched on, as Rangers coaching staff praised the boys for their excellent attitude and performance during the session, saying that they had been a credit to their Club.

It was then back to Loftus Road for a complementary lunch, before watching Rangers play Charlton Athletic in front of a season high crowd 17,035. A superb day was finished off in style, as Rangers won 1-0 thanks to a first half goal from Dexter Blackstock.

2 October - Prior to United's match against Eastbourne Borough on 30 September, a presentation was made by Nigel Woodward of Nigel's School of Motoring in respect of his continued sponsorship of the team. Having purchased the team's new home kit this season, Nigel has also sponsored the team's rain jackets for the current campaign. Nigel is pictured below presenting a cheque to Under 12s' team manager Dean Jinks, and Nigel is also pictured with the United squad.

The United team is also pictured here, proudly wearing their second kit, ahead of their fixture against Romney Cougars on 28 October. Many thanks to Doggy Paddle owner Julie Joyce, who is pictured with the players, for her sponsorship and support.

League Table

Team Details

United Under 12s are pleased to announce the signings of Brandon Sancho, Daniel Horan, Paul Humbles, Daniel Joyce, Ben Sebbage and Alfie Denness, all of whom have joined the squad for the 2007/08 season.

Fixtures, Results and Match Reports

27 April 2008 - Little Common Colts 5-3 Hastings United
United played their final match of the season against a Little Common side placed just below them in the league table, and who had held United to a 2-2 draw at William Parker School a few weeks earlier. United did not get off to the best of starts, when sloppy defending allowed the home side to take an early two goal lead. United then seemed to wake up a bit, and almost pulled a goal back, when Toby Shaw weaved his way through the defence, only to place his shot straight at the keeper, after which Little Common extended their lead still further to take full command of proceedings. United did pull one back though, Toby converting after a fine build-up and cross into the area, but Little Common hit straight back, after Jon Clevett was just unable to hold a fiercely struck shot, and a home forward was first to reach the loose ball. An amazing comeback looked on the cards, when Ryan Jinks scored after a goalmouth scramble from an inswinging corner, and then set up Dan Horan for a superb finish to narrow the gap to just a single goal. United were also unlucky to see efforts from Harry Wright and Dan cleared, but their search for an equaliser finally brought about their downfall, as Little Common caught them on the break to clinch the points with a fifth goal. United's man of the match award went to Ryan, who not only scored a vital goal, but also created several chances for his teammates. United line-up: J Clevett, D Povey, S Chisholm, A Denness, J Woodward, J Woodcock, T Shaw, J Bisson, S Pelling, R Jinks, D Horan. Subs: H Wright, H Russo. United were due to play one remaining fixture against Langney Sports, but the end of season deadline has now passed, so the match will be recorded as a 0-0 draw.

20 April 2008
With the season nearing its conclusion, and with several matches still to play, United and Little Common agreed to a double header today.

Match one - Hastings United 8-0 Little Common Rovers
United got off to the perfect start in the first fixture of the day, with striker Dan Horan, returning from a lengthy injury lay-off, scored from close range after a goalmouth scramble, while Ryan Jinks then doubled the lead with a fine shot from the edge of the area. Dan then added his second with a well taken shot from the right hand side that found the bottom corner, and James Bisson then made it four with a superb curling shot from the edge of the area that gave the keeper no chance. Still in the first half, Scott Chisholm scored his first goal of the season, and United's fifth of the match, when a corner was only partially cleared, allowing him to smash it back past the stranded keeper. United maintained the pressure throughout the second half, and Dan completed a well deserved hattrick with yet another fine shot. Toby Shaw then got on the scoresheet with two fine goals in quick succession, one coming after an amazing long run from inside his own half that saw him take on several defenders before beating the keeper. The man of the match award went to Dan for a fine performance up front alongside Ryan, who was a close second for some excellent passing to set up goals for his teammates. United line-up: Jon Clevett, Dan Povey, Scott Chisholm, Alfie Denness, Jack Woodward, Jack Woodcock, Toby Shaw, James Bisson, Stephen Pelling, Ryan Jinks, Dan Horan. Sub: Harry Wright.

Match two - Little Common Rovers 0-2 Hastings United
Having won the previous match, United started the follow-up encounter with a different attitude, which, coupled with Little Common's enthusiasm to get to the ball first, saw the first half end in a goalless stalemate. The deadlock was finally broken midway through the second half, when Ryan Jinks broke through the defence and placed a shot into the top corner past the desperate dive of the Rovers keeper. To their credit, Little Common continued to battle away, and went close to an equaliser, Scott Chisholm clearing off his own line to keep United in front. United then won a series of corners, from one of which Ryan stepped over the ball, leaving it to Stephen Pelling to slot past the keeper to clinch the points. United’s man of the match in game two was Alfie Denness for an excellent battling midfield display. United line-up: Jon Clevett, Dan Povey, Scott Chisholm, Alfie Denness, Jack Woodward, Jack Woodcock, Harry Wright, Toby Shaw, James Bisson, Ryan Jinks, Dan Horan. Sub: Stephen Pelling.

10 April 2008 - Hastings United Colts 1-6 Hastings United
United finally returned to league action with an evening encounter against their Colts Club mates. They started brightly, when a long range shot from Ryan Jinks crept past the Colts keeper at the near post, and that was quickly followed up with Toby Shaw's first goal of the game, running through the Colts defence and placing the ball coolly into the bottom corner. The Colts came back into the contest at that point, and started to put some good passing moves together, only to go further behind, when an inswinging corner was deflected into his own net by a Colts defender. Both sides played some good football in the second half, but it was United who got the goals, with Toby and Ryan each scoring for a second time, before Toby completed a fine hattrick just before the end of the game. Praise should go to both teams for producing such an entertaining game, with a special mention for Stephen Pelling, who was named man of the match after a fine performance in the United midfield. United line-up: Jon Clevett, Dan Povey, Harry Wright, Stephen Pelling, Scott Chisholm, Alfie Denness, Toby Shaw, James Bisson, Jack Woodward, Jack Woodcock, Ryan Jinks.

9 March 2008 - Hastings United 2-2 Little Common Colts
United were back on home soil for their first encounter of the season against a Little Common Colts side who started the contest one place behind them in the table. Dan Horan made a welcome return for United, having been sidelined through injury for two weeks, giving United a full squad from which to select this week. However, after a frantic start to the match, with both sides missing chances, Dan pulled up with a recurrence of his injury and had to be substituted. Even so, United got on the scoresheet first, as Ryan Jinks dodged a couple of tackles, before unleashing a shot from just inside the area, which squirmed under the keeper's body, giving United a one goal advantage that they still held at half time.

The visitors began the second half in a more determined mood than United, and soon equalised when a looping shot went over Jon Clevett's hands and just under the crossbar. Little Common then took the lead shortly afterwards, when United lost concentration clearing the ball, and presented an opposing player with time and space to pick his spot. United thought that they were back in the game, when Toby Shaw was brought down inside the area for a penalty. Having missed United's previous spot kick, Ryan left this one for Toby, who stepped up and chipped the ball straight into the hands of the grateful keeper. He almost redeemed himself immediately, after hitting a goalbound shot from the edge of the area, which the keeper could only get a hand to at first, but somehow recovered to claw the ball off the line for a remarkable save. Toby finally levelled the scores with a stunning goal from outside the area, which flew past the static keeper, to earn United a share of the spoils, in a game that neither side deserved to lose. United's man of the match was Dan Povey, who had a brilliant game in defence against a lively opponent. The full United line-up was: J Clevett, H Russo, D Povey, A Denness, J Woodcock, J Woodward, J Bisson, T Shaw, H Wright, D Horan, R Jinks. Subs: S Pelling, S Chisholm.

2 March 2008 - Rye Bay 2-2 Hastings United
United travelled to The Salts to play a third placed Rye Bay side that had ended Eastbourne Borough's unbeaten record one week previously with a 4-2 victory. The build-up to the match could have gone better for United, with Dan Horan still nursing the injury he picked up against Hastings Town, while several other players were unavailable due to it being Mothering Sunday. The combined effect was to leave United with a mere eleven man squad heading into the contest, and that number was reduced to ten when one player failed to turn up for the game. Both teams started brightly, and there were several chances at either, although the two keepers were not overly tested due to some wayward finishing. However, as a United attack broke down, the home side played a long ball straight down the pitch, for a Rye forward to take a couple of touches and round Jon Clevett before slotting the ball into an empty net to give his side a one goal advantage at the interval.

Early in the second half, the goalscorer doubled his and Rye's tally, after picking up possession just outside the area and dribbling past two defenders, and Jon again, to score with ease. Far from buckling under the home side's pressure though, United chose that moment to battle back into the match, when Toby Shaw collected a partially cleared corner on the edge of the Rye area, and smashed a superb shot into the top corner to halve the lead. And with ten minutes remaining, Toby's long pass sent Ryan Jinks clear of a couple of pursuing defenders for a stunning shot from just outside the area on the right hand side, that bounced past the outstretched fingers of the home keeper and into the far corner for a magnificent equaliser. Rye pressed hard for a winner in the final few minutes, but United defended brilliantly, picking up plenty of bruises and a poke in the eye for their troubles, but held out to claim a well deserved share of the spoils. The man of the match award went to Jack Woodward, who was outstanding in the heart of the United defence, but the entire team of ten all deserve immense credit for showing the guts and determination to come back from two goals down against a very good Rye side.

24 February 2008 - Hastings Town Yellow 1-17 Hastings United
United quickly got the defeat to Langney out of their system, as they travelled to Bulverhythe to take on a bottom of the table Town side. United actually suffered an early blow, losing striker Dan Horan after barely five minutes of the game after he had picked up an injury during the warm-up. Although not at their best, United still found themselves seven goals up at the interval, and they went on to add a further ten to that tally after a much-improved second half performance. Toby Shaw ended the match with six goals, with Ryan Jinks scoring three, Dan Povey and Harry Russo two apiece, and Alfie Denness, Harry Wright, Jack Woodward and James Bisson all scoring once. The man of the match award was shared by Toby, who was outstanding in midfield, and Harry, who had his best game of the season. The Town players deserve a special mention, because having started the game with only nine players, they right to the end on a full size pitch, and thoroughly earned the cheers of parents on both sides when they grabbed their goal. The full United line-up was: J Clevett, H Wright, J Woodcock, J Woodward, D Povey, J Bisson, T Shaw, A Denness, P Humbles, R Jinks, D Horan. Subs: H Russo, S Pelling, S Chisholm.

17 February 2008 - Hastings United 1-4 Langney Sports
United followed their excellent double win a week previously with a battling performance against a strong Langney team that has consistently been in the top half of the league this season. Both teams started brightly, with plenty of good passing movement, but it was United who took the lead, when a corner was swung across by James Bisson and was cleared only as far as Toby Shaw, who found the back of the net with a sublime shot. The United players celebrated as if they had just won the Champions League, but they joy was short-lived, as Langney came back strongly, and a long range effort squirmed under the body of keeper Jon Clevett to level the scores again. The visitors then took the lead, with United still reeling from the equaliser, as a shot from inside the area just had the power beat Jon's dive. The second half saw both sides continue to attack at will, but it was Langney who found the net once more, extending their lead from the penalty spot, after Jack Woodcock was harshly adjudged to have committed a foul inside the area. Langney then added a fourth goal, before United also won a penalty, which Ryan Jinks thundered against the crossbar, with United realising that it wasn't going to be their day. A disappointing result for United then, having played so well the week before, but not performing to the same standard this time. The man of the match award went to Jon Clevett, who despite conceding the four goals, made a string of fine saves to keep the score down to that level. The full line-up was: J Clevett, S Pelling, H Wright, J Woodward, J Woodcock, J Bisson, D Povey, T Shaw, A Denness, R Jinks, D Horan. Subs: H Russo, S Chisholm.

10 February 2008
With the agreement of both managers, United went into a double header encounter against a Tackleway side lying third in the league table.

Match one - Junior Club Tackleway Tigers 0-2 Hastings United
Both teams played their part in an entertaining match, with United winning thanks to a goal in each half from skipper Ryan Jinks. Dan Horan went close to giving United the lead midway through the first half, breaking clear on goal and rounding the keeper, who then brought him down just outside the area with the goal beckoning. The referee awarded the free kick, but Toby Shaw fired just over the bar. The deadlock was finally broken though, when Ryan slotted home from close range after a goalmouth scramble shortly before the interval. The second half saw United maintain their pressure on the Tackleway goal, Dan again bursting clean through the defence and into the area, rounding the keeper, who this time pulled him back. Dan still managed to get his shot away, although it went agonisingly wide, but the referee awarded United a penalty in any case, and Ryan stepped up to send the keeper the wrong way. It wrapped up a good victory for United, with Dan earning the man of the match award. The full line-up was: J Clevett, D Povey, H Wright, J Woodward, J Woodcock, A Denness, T Shaw, B Sancho, J Bisson, R Jinks, D Horan. Subs: H Russo, S Pelling.

Match two - Hastings United 4-2 Junior Club Tackleway Tigers
Once again, the two teams provided an impressive spectacle, with Ryan opening the scoring for United, after both he and Dan had efforts cleared off the line in quick succession. The goal sparked Tackleway into life, and they equalised soon after, before taking the lead while United were still reeling after conceeding the leveller. Ryan scored his second of the game, and his fourth of the morning, with a neatly placed header from a James Bisson cross to level the scores once more, and United then regained the lead, when Toby Shaw ran through the defence to lob the ball over the stranded keeper into the net from an awkward angle. Ryan completed his hattrick with a delightful free kick from the edge of the area to wrap up a fantastic day's work for United, for whom Dan Povey landed the second man of the match award, fitting nicely into the defence and performing well on his debut. The full line-up was: J Clevett, D Povey, H Russo, S Pelling, J Woodward, J Woodcock, A Denness, T Shaw, J Bisson, R Jinks, D Horan. Subs: B Sancho, H Wright.

3 February 2008 - Hastings United 0-4 Romney Cougars
After their fine win over Winkney the previous week, United entertained one of the title favourites and current league leaders Romney today, the reverse encounter in Kent ending in a 7-1 defeat. This was a different United team from that earlier match though, with a much improved fitness level and all-round improved ability. The weather conditions were less than perfect, with a howling wind blowing across the William Parker pitch, although both teams played some very good football, just without a breakthrough until the mid-point of the first half, when a speculative shot squirmed under the body of keeper Jon Clevett and into the goal. Not letting their heads drop, United pushed for the equaliser, and were unfortunate to see the ball cleared off the Romney line, after the wind had held up a goalbound shot. The visitors extended their lead from a corner, Jon making an outstanding save from an initial shot, only for a Romney player to react quickest to the follow-up. United pressed for a goal to get back into the game after half time, but never seemed to get the ball into the right place for a confident shot. Romney then broke on the counter-attack and cooly placed the ball into the corner to go three up, but still refusing to get disheartened, United continued searching for a consolation effort, only for Romney to break away once more, Jon producing another great save to deny them and watching on helplessly as the rebound was placed over his head to complete the scoring. The final four goal tally was harsh on United though, as they produced a much improved performance, against a very good side, and made them work really hard for the win. The full line-up was: J Clevett, H Wright, S Pelling, J Woodcock, J Woodward, T Shaw, B Sancho, A Denness, J Bisson, captain R Jinks, D Horan. Sub: S Chisholm.

27 January 2008 - Hastings United 7-1 Winkney
United finally got back to league action after a few weeks of postponements because of the bad weather, and they quickly got into their stride with an early goal from Dan Horan. A good passing move saw United extend their lead through Ryan Jinks. Winkney then got one back with an excellent shot from the edge of the area that beat Jon Clevett at his near post. United maintained their composure though, and kept pressing forward, with Dan and Ryan each getting their second goals to go into half time 4-1 ahead. After making a few changes, United extended their lead when Jamie Bisson cut in from the left and unleashed a shot into the corner of the goal. Toby Shaw came close with a couple of efforts and then finally scored, when he beat the offside trap and cooly finished in the bottom left corner. The seventh goal came from Dan Horan, completing his hattrick after a goalmouth scramble. United’s man of the match award went to Dan Horan, who not only scored three goals, but linked up well with his teammates, and was a constant threat to the Winkney defence, narrowly pipping Toby Shaw, who played really well, dominating the midfield. The full line-up was: J Clevett, J Woodcock, H Russo, J Woodward, S Pelling, B Sancho, A Denness, T Shaw, J Bisson, D Horan, captain R Jinks. Subs: S Chisholm, H Wright, P Humbles.

18 November 2007 - Hastings United 6-3 Hastings Town Yellow
United returned to league action with a well earned win on a very windy and cold afternoon at William Parker School. United took the lead when Dan Horan converted after a well worked attack, but this seemed to knock Town into gear, and they quickly responded with two goals in rapid succession. Captain Ryan Jinks then beat the offside trap to level the scores once again, before Brandon Sancho was brought down in the area, boldly stepping up to take the spot kick himself, but putting it agonisingly wide of the target. Ryan soon added his second goal of the game though, to give United a 3-2 lead at the interval, and they continued where they had left off after the restart, with Brandon finally scoring his first United goal to put a smile back on his face. Dan added United's fifth, and Ryan then completed his hattrick, before Town grabbed a late consolation goal of their own. United's man of the match award went to Jack Woodward for yet another fine performance in defence on such a bitterly cold day. The full line-up was: J Clevett, H Wright, S Pelling, H Russo, J Woodward, J Bisson, A Denness, B Sancho, P Humbles, D Horan, R Jinks. Sub: D Joyce.

28 October 2007 - Romney Cougars 7-1 Hastings United
United made the journey to tackle the unbeaten league leaders full of confidence on the back of their big win over Winkney, although they knew to expect a hard game against a Romney side who had made a habit of hitting double figure scores. Cougars started brightly and quickly put the United goal under pressure, scoring their first with a free header from the first corner of the match. This seemed to kick United into rhythm and they began to play some good passing football, despite suffering some heavy fouls, most of which went unnoticed. Romney extended their lead after a mix-up in the United defence, and a couple of dubious refereeing decisions helped the home side into a four goal lead at the interval. The second half saw United quickly gain the upper hand, and the mounting pressure on the Romney goal finally told with skipper Ryan Jinks calmly lobbing the keeper from just inside the area to get United on the scoreboard. United continued to fight to get back into the game, with Brandon Sancho battling in the heart of midfield, and Dan Horan leading the front line with confidence, but Romney suddenly moved up a gear and completed the scoring with a trio of late goals. United's management team praised the team for their determination, which was echoed by Romney’s own manager who stated his opinion that the result was not a fair reflection of the balance of play throughout the contest. United’s man of the match award went to Jack Woodward, who again had an outstanding match in defence, while the full line-up was J Clevett, H Wright, S Pelling, H Russo, J Woodward, P Humbles, A Denness, B Sancho, J Bisson, D Horan, R Jinks. Subs: S Chisholm, D Joyce.

21 October 2007 - Winkney 2-12 Hastings United
United returned to league action after a two week break and played an outstanding match against the Eastbourne based Winkney side. Changes had to be made prior to kick off, with Scott Chisholm going sick overnight, so Jack Woodward covered in the unfamiliar position of centre back, alongside Harry Russo. United were quickly into their stride with some truly wonderful passing interchanges and saw themselves six goals up at half time, thanks to Alfie Denness, two from Paul Humbles, and a well-taken hattrick from Dan Horan. United started the second half the same way they had ended the first, with some great football that Nigel Kane would have been proud to see the senior team play! Goals from James Bisson, Ryan Jinks and another four from Dan Horan sealed a wonderful performance and the team left the pitch with applause from the parents and a single person Mexican wave from Club Director (and mum) Christine Russo. It was a tough decision for the management team to pick a man of the match, but they finally decided on Ryan Jinks for a real captain’s performance, for several assists for his teammates, and for a sublime shot from outside of the area over the stranded keeper for one of the goals. United line-up: J Clevett, H Wright, J Woodward, H Russo, S Pelling, P Humbles, A Denness, B Sancho, J Bisson, D Horan, R Jinks. Sub: D Joyce.

30 September 2007 - Hastings United 5-12 Eastbourne Borough
United played their second match of the season this morning, after having a day off last week, against an Eastbourne Borough side fresh from a big win in their first match of the season seven days beforehand. United got off to a slow start and were second best in most of their challenges, and combined this with several silly errors to find themselves 7-0 down at half time. The second half saw a different team emerge though, and, whereas some would drop their heads at such a scoreline, United most emphatically did not, continuing to press for a goal of their own. Having conceded three more, United finally scored through Jack Woodward to the roar of the watching parents on the sidelines, and they did not stop there, following up with strikes from Dan Horan and, on his debut, from Alfie Denness. United showed Borough that they may have been down, but that they were certainly not out, and although Borough increased their tally to twelve, United still pushed hard to the end, and were rewarded with two further goals, scored by Jack and Dan. Having been on the wrong end of such a half time deficit, United showed true team spirit to draw the second half five goals apiece, and at the final whistle, the United players left the pitch to rapturous applause from the parents for their performance and received glowing praise from the management team for their never-give-up attitude. Jack was named United's man of the match and the full line-up was J Clevett, J Bisson, H Wright, S Chisholm, H Russo, P Humbles, J Woodward, A Denness, B Sancho, R Jinks (c), D Horan. Subs: J Aldridge, S Pelling, B Sebbage.

16 September 2007 - Hastings United 6-4 Hastings United Colts
United began their Rother League campaign against their own Colts counterparts at William Parker School today. United stormed into an early two goal lead with strikes from Daniel Horan and Jack Woodward. The Colts replied, only for Daniel to score his second shortly before half time to restore the two goal advantage at the interval. The Colts were quickly into their stride after the restart, and the pressure on United's goal built to the point where the Colts pulled the scoreline back to all square with everything to play for. Captain Ryan Jinks soon restored United's lead though, and that was quickly followed by Daniel completing his hattrick to put United two goals clear once again. A superb volley by Ryan from the edge of the penalty area sealed the win in the closing stages, although the Colts finished the game strongly and claimed a further consolation effort late on. United got their new campaign off to a fine start then, after an excellent match, played in the true spirit of the game, with Daniel landing United's man of the match award for his splendid debut hattrick. Line-up: J Clevett, S Pelling, H Russo, S Chisholm, H Wright, J Woodward, J Bisson, J Aldridge, B Sancho, R Jinks, D Horan. Sub: D Joyce.