Manager: Mr Neil Phillips
Assistant Managers: Mr Tim Burton & Mr Pete Austen
Tel: 01424 420104
Email: nene.philp1@btopenworld.com
25 November - United are delighted to welcome another new signing to the squad, with Connor Winks having joined the Club this week, making his debut in today's game at Tenterden.
22 November - The United management team is pleased to announce that Ben Roots has been named the Under 13s' new captain, with keeper Alex Bryant as vice-captain.
8 November - United regret to announce that versatile left sided player Liam Smith has parted company with the Under 13s squad, but everyone within the team would like to offer Liam their very best wishes for the future.
28 August - United Under 13s are delighted to welcome new signing Karl Tomlin on board for the 2007/08 season. Karl links up with the rest of the squad, who are pictured below.
| Pos | Team | P | W | D | L | GD | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hastings Town Youth 2000 | 16 | 13 | 1 | 2 | +74 | 40 |
| 2 | Sevenoaks Town Juniors A | 16 | 12 | 3 | 1 | +64 | 39 |
| 3 | Broad Oak & Horam | 16 | 8 | 3 | 5 | +17 | 27 |
| 4 | Jarvis Brook Juniors | 16 | 9 | 0 | 7 | +3 | 27 |
| 5 | Little Common | 16 | 8 | 1 | 7 | -12 | 25 |
| 6 | Tenterden Tigers A | 16 | 8 | 0 | 8 | -2 | 24 |
| 7 | Tonbridge Junior A | 16 | 5 | 2 | 9 | -13 | 17 |
| 8 | HASTINGS UNITED | 16 | 4 | 0 | 12 | -15 | 12 |
| 9 | Langton Green Sports | 16 | 0 | 0 | 16 | -116 | 0 |
This season's United Under 13s squad. Pictured, back row, from left to right are Jack Austen, Nelson Whyman, Ed Smissen, David Burch, Robbie Fenner, Alex Laye, Ben Roots and Jack Woodcock. And front row, left to right, are Liam Smith, Bradley Owens, Lewis Phillips, Max Constantine, Alex Bryant, Conner Burton, Karl Tomlin and Dan Tewkesbury.
2 March 2008 - Hastings United 8-2 Little Common
A week after losing 2-1 away to the same opponents, United exacted some sweet revenge on Little Common by storming to a resounding victory in the reverse fixture this morning. Kicking with the wind in the first half, Nelson Whyman opened the scoring with a rasping shot into the top corner, and United went on to play some wonderful passing football, resulting in Dan Tewkesbury doubling the lead soon afterwards. Chances came and went at either end, with United keeper Alex Bryant pulling off one brilliant save to keep United two goals ahead, and while Karl Tomlin and Lewis Phillips were causing the visitors all sorts of trouble down the flanks, Max Constantine, Ed Smissen, Jack Austen and Conner Burton were looking immense at the back, and Theo Vrachnakis was pulling the strings just in front of them in midfield. And after a spell of consistent pressure before the interval, Brad Owens lobbed the keeper to put United three goals up at half time. Little Common started the second half the stronger, and after Alex had bravely saved at the feet of a visiting forward, the rebound took a wicked deflection of Jack to bring them back into the contest. But if Little Common thought that this was the shape of things to come, United certainly had other ideas, and they proceeded to outplay their opponents for the remainder of the match, with further goals coming courtesy of Nelson with a drilled shot into the bottom corner, Ben Roots thanks to a great cross from Karl, and a clinical finish from Dan after a good passing move involving David Burch, Ben and Brad. Conner Burton then struck with a 'Riise' special and, in the last minute, Dan claimed a well deserved hattrick, taking United's tally to eight. Straight from the kick off, Little Common got a second goal of their own, but it was far too little to deny United a handsome win. The man of the match award was shared by the whole team after their scintillating all-round display. Full line-up: captain Alex Bryant, Max Constantine, Jack Austen, Ed Smissen, Conner Burton, Lewis Phillips, Theo Vrachnakis, Brad Owens, Nelson Whyman, Karl Tomlin, Dan Tewkesbury. Subs: Ben Roots, David Burch.
17 February 2008 - Jarvis Brook Juniors 4-3 Hastings United
Despite overcoming the loss of skipper Ben Roots to injury after only thirty seconds to lead 3-1 at the break, luckless United collapsed to defeat by the odd goal in seven away to second in the table Jarvis Brook. First half strikes from Nelson Whyman, Bradley Owens, and a first for the Club for Theo Vrachnakis, put United in a commanding position by half time, following a quite breathtaking display football, which made a mockery of United's own league position. The home side pulled a goal back almost straight from the restart, but United quickly recovered their poise and kept Jarvis Brook at bay until just three minutes from time when they grabbed an equaliser and what looked like being a share of the spoils. However, deep into stoppage time, and much to the dismay of United and their supporters, the home side snatched a winning goal to steal all three points, leaving United to suffer a harsh lesson due to their failure to close out the game after the interval. Line-up: Alex Bryant, Max Constantine, Jack Austen, Ed Smissen, Conner Burton, Lewis Phillips, captain Ben Roots, Bradley Owens, Nelson Whyman, Karl Tomlin, Dan Tewkesbury. Subs: David Burch, Theo Vrachnakis.
10 February 2008 - Broad Oak & Horam 3-2 Hastings United
Questionable refereeing and poor sportsmanship were the order of the day, as United's mini revival came to an undeserved end at Broad Oak & Horam this morning. United got off to a slow start, falling behind after only five minutes following a swift counter-attack from the home side, but as the half wore on, United gained control of the game and started employing some brilliant passing and movement football, resulting in Lewis Phillips, Nelson Whyman, the impressive Karl Tomlin, and Ben Roots all going close. Lewis finally levelled proceedings, with an unstoppable drive that crashed off the underside of the crossbar and into the back of the net, after a fine through ball from Ben. United were completely dominant, and five minutes before the interval, another fine move involving Conner Burton, Karl and Ben, paved the way for Nelson to burst through on goal, only to see his rasping shot go inches over. The second half started slowly, but livened up when Ben ran onto a slide-rule pass from Karl, and unleashed a beast of a shot, which beat the keeper all ends up and crashed against the bar. Having been lucky to survive that scare, the hosts then profited from a highly contentious refereeing decision to retake the lead with twenty minutes remaining. United were awarded a free kick outside their area for a routine offside offence, so keeper Alex Bryant knocked the ball out for Ed Smissen to take the free kick. However, a home forward intercepted the ball before it reached Ed, and returned it into an unguarded net, with the referee astounding the United players and supporters by letting the goal stand. With a series of other dubious decisions going against them, United began to lose their composure, and the home side eventually took advantage, edging further in front after winning a free kick for a rash challenge just outside the United area. The dead ball was well struck and had the beating of Alex, although Karl was back on the goalline and opted to punch it clear himself, only for the referee to decide against giving the home side an obvious penalty, incredibly awarding a goal instead, and even more bizarrely, booking Karl for an offence that, in the referee's opinion, could not have happened. To their immense credit, United channelled their efforts into a late assault on the home side's goal, and Nelson curled a delightful effort into the top corner to reduce the deficit to one. But it was all that United could manage in the time that remained, as they slipped to a defeat that left a very sour taste in the mouth. The joint players of the match were Conner and Karl and the full line-up was: Alex Bryant, Max Constantine, Jack Austen, Ed Smissen, Conner Burton, Lewis Phillips, captain Ben Roots, Theo Vrachnakis, Nelson Whyman, Karl Tomlin, Dan Tewkesbury. Subs: Connor Winks, David Burch.
3 February 2008 - Tonbridge Junior A 1-4 Hastings United
United recorded there second win in eight days over a Tonbridge side that had hit them for five earlier in the season, following up their League Cup success with an excellent three points in the league itself. Bradley Owens started the scoring after only five minutes, latching onto a quick David Burch throw-in to slot home. The lead lasted only another five minutes though, as United failed to clear a corner, allowing an unmarked Tonbridge forward the chance to score from barely five yards out. Tonbidge seemed to gain the upper hand for the next ten minutes, and United needed keeper Alex Bryant to be at his brilliant best, pulling off three tremendous saves to keep them on level terms. His heroics sparked United back into life, and the defence of David, Jack Austen, Ed Smissen and Conner Burton started to dominate the home forwards. Then, ten minutes before half time, Bradley burst through the home defence and unleashed an unstoppable drive into the net for his and United's second goal to restore their lead at the interval. The second half was pretty much one-way traffic, especially after Lewis Phillips set up Bradley for a stunning twenty yard volley into the top corner to complete his hattrick within sixty seconds of the restart. United found themselves in complete control, and it was no surprise when Nelson Whyman added the fourth goal, after good work from Dan Tewkesbury. Chances came and went, with Ed almost catching out the home keeper from the halfway line with an audacious effort, and with the game all but won, the last quarter of an hour was little more than a procession, as United stepped off the gas and allowed Tonbridge a couple of half chances, which Alex dealt with comfortably. The 4-1 scoreline certainly didn't flatter United and the three well deserved points conclusively improved their chances of at least securing a mid-table finish this season. The player of the match award was shared between Alex, Nelson and Bradley, all of whom were on top of their game this week. Full line-up: Alex Bryant, David Burch, Jack Austen, Ed Smissen, Conner Burton, Lewis Phillips, captain Ben Roots, Brad Owens, Nelson Whyman, Karl Tomlin, Dan Tewkesbury. Subs: Max Constantine, Connor Winks, Theo Vrachnakis.
27 January 2008 - Hastings United 4-3 Tonbridge Junior A
Playing for the first time Christmas, United booked a place in the semi final of the Crowborough League Cup after a well deserved and thrilling win against a Tonbridge side that had beaten United 5-0 in their earlier league meeting. Man of the match Dan Tewkesbury grabbed a hattrick, with Nelson Whyman scoring United's other goal, but every player can feel proud of their performance. New signing Theo Vrachnakis looked highly accomplished when he came on in midfield, and keeper Alex Bryant pulled off an outstanding point blank save with the scores level at 2-2. This was a great result, with the players finally starting to resemble the all-conquering side of last season. Line-up: Alex Bryant, David Burch, Jack Austen, Ed Smissen, Conner Burton, Lewis Phillips, captain Ben Roots, Nelson Whyman, Brad Owens, Karl Tomlin, Dan Tewkesbury. Subs: Max Constantine, Theo Vrachnakis, Connor Winks.
16 December 2007 - Hastings United 2-6 Broad Oak & Horam
Goals from Nelson Whyman and Brad Owens failed to prevent United from heading into Christmas on the back of a third consecutive defeat.
25 November 2007 - Tenterden Tigers A 5-3 Hastings United
United slipped to their third defeat in four matches, but responded superbly to the challenge issued by the management team after last week's defeat, putting in their best performance of the season to date, which left them desperately unlucky not to take all three points. Dan Tewkesbury put United in front, getting on the end of a Lewis Phillips flick to finish with a rasping shot into the top corner. But, as has often been the case in recent games, a succession of chances then went begging, as United started to play some tremendous football, but without managing to apply the finishing touch, although things were looking good, as the back four of David Burch, player of the match Jack Austen, Ed Smissen and Conner Burton repelled Tenterden's infrequent attacks. Completely against the run of play though, a hopeful long ball evaded David's despairing attempt to head clear, and the home side equalised thanks to a top quality finish that gave keeper Alex Bryant no chance. And with only five minutes of the first half remaining, a defensive slip allowed Tenterden the chance to snatch a second goal, giving them an undeserved lead at the break. A sloppy start to the second half saw a cheap free kick conceded, which led to Tenterden's third goal, as Alex strayed too far off his line, and just a couple of minutes later, the home side got behind United's defences again, and a good cross was converted to put Tenterden three goals clear. United suddenly fought their way back into the contest, and the rest of the game saw Tenterden trying to withstand near constant United pressure. Karl Tomlin pulled a goal back with a fine finish, before Dan added his second with a curling left foot shot to bring United to within a goal of drawing level. Unfortunately, many of United's subsequent attacks were thwarted by some questionable offside decisions, with one resulting free kick eventually leading to a fifth goal that Tenterden undoubtedly did not deserve. It was enough to wrap up the victory for the home side, but it was absolutely clear that the better team on the day had lost, with United most definitely coming back to their true form. Full line-up: Alex Bryant, David Burch, Jack Austen, Ed Smissen, Conner Burton, Lewis Phillips, Ben Roots, Nelson Whyman, Brad Owens, Karl Tomlin, Dan Tewkesbury. Subs: Max Constantine, Connor Winks.
18 November 2007 - Hastings United 0-5 Tonbridge Junior A
After a week without a game, United returned to action at home to their Kent rivals, and went on to dominate a goalless first half, but missed a handful of gilt-edged chances, including seeing a Nelson Whyman penalty saved by the Tonbridge keeper. The second half started brightly enough for United, with Brad Owens going close and Lewis Phillips having a goal ruled out for a marginal offside, but the rest of the contest rather summed up United's season to date. A quarter of an hour in, United keeper Alex Bryant was ushering a harmless shot out for a goal kick, when the ball hit a divot and changed direction, ending up in the back of the net. Two minutes later, the visitors doubled their lead and although new skipper Ben Roots rattled the crossbar with a rocket shot, it wasn't to be United's day, with Jack Austen conceding a penalty for a handball offence, from which Tonbridge went three goals ahead. Almost straight from the restart, a mishit cross caught on the strong wind and ended up in the top corner, and with the full time whistle about to blow, Tonbridge grabbed their fifth to complete the scoring. Although confidence remains low within the squad, there have been some signs this season of what the side is capable of, but the step up in class this year has caught United not giving 100% on occasions, and results have suffered as a consequence. It is clear what is required if United are to challenge for a top four finish and to enjoy a good cup run as well.
4 November 2007 - Langton Green Sports 3-7 Hastings United
United once again returned to winning ways with a convincing win at Langton Green in their latest league outing. Nelson Whyman opened the scoring with a fine finish, but United then wasted a host of chances to increase their lead, and were made to pay as their hosts equalised with a well taken goal that gave Alex Bryant no chance. With the first half drawing to a close, Alex Laye got on the end of a Ben Roots through ball and clinically finished to put United in front at the interval. With defensive colossus Ed Smissen having to depart at the break, United were forced to reshuffle for the restart, with Jack Austen going into the heart of the back three, and the versatile Max Constantine slotting in on the right. The adjustments were still taking effect though when Langton once again drew level but United's response to that little setback was emphatic, as they stepped up a gear in a fifteen minute spell of unrelenting pressure, in which they scored five goals to stun there hosts into near submission. Nelson added two more to complete a hattrick, while a curler from Ben and a goal apiece from Brad Owens and Dan Tewkesbury did the damage. With time running out, the home side grabbed the consolation effort that their never-say-die spirit deserved, but United ran out commanding winners in the end. Line-up: Alex Bryant, Jack Austen, Ed Smissen, Conner Burton, Dan Tewkesbury, Robbie Fenner, Brad Owens, Alex Laye, Karl Tomlin, Lewis Phillips, Nelson Whyman. Subs: Ben Roots, Max Constantine. The player of the match award went to leading scorer and hattrick hero Nelson Whyman.
28 October 2007 - Hastings United 1-5 Sevenoaks Town Juniors
United continue to take one step forward and then another step back after crashing to a second heavy defeat against Sevenoaks in the space of a fortnight. The first half was an even affair, with Robbie Fenner scoring United, as they went into the break 2-1 down, despite having numerous chances to have gone in ahead. The second half saw the visitors score a freak goal, as a harmless looking shot whipped and curled passed the helpless Alex Bryant in the swirling wind, and add two more goals from the penalty spot, as United misjudged their efforts to win the ball in the area. But even in defeat, United showed glimpses of what they are capable of at this higher level, and will hopefully have proved to themselves that have got the ability to be one of the top teams in the league. Line-up: Alex Bryant, Jack Austen, Ed Smissen, Conner Burton, Brad Owens, Robbie Fenner, Karl Tomlin, Alex Laye (c), Ben Roots, Dan Tewkesbury, Nelson Whyman. Subs: David Burch, Jack Woodcock, Max Constantine. The player of the match award was shared by Ed and the outstanding Alex Bryant.
21 October 2007 - Broad Oak & Horam B 0-12 Hastings United
After two successive league defeats, United bounced back in style with a comprehensive win at Broad Oak & Horam B in the Crowborough League Cup. The team adopted an unfamiliar 3-5-2 formation, with the outstanding defensive trio of Jack Austen, Ed Smissen and Conner Burton, who shared the man of the match award between them, barely allowing their opponents a chance to get near the United goal. And on the rare occasions that they manage to break through the defence, they found United keeper Alex Bryant back to his outstanding best between the posts. Ben Roots started the goal rout, going on to get a hattrick, while the other scorers were the prolific Nelson Whyman with three, a deadly double from Lewis Phillips, and richly deserved goals from last season's top scorer Dan Tewkesbury, who switched to an unfamiliar right sided midfield position, skipper Alex Laye, Conner, and Bradley Owens. Every player deserves a pat on the back for the hard work they put in on the training ground, which reaped its rewards on the pitch, as some of the football they played was absolutely outstanding. Line-up: Alex Bryant, Jack Austen, Ed Smissen, Conner Burton, Dan Tewkesbury, Alex Laye (c), Robbie Fenner, Ben Roots, Brad Owens, Nelson Whyman, Lewis Phillips. Subs: David Burch, Liam Smith, Jack Woodcock.
14 October 2007 - Sevenoaks Town Juniors A 10-0 Hastings United
United returned empty handed from their ninety mile round trip to Sevenoaks this morning, belatedly suffering a rude awakening to the harsh reality of life in the Crowborough & District League. Despite their opponents being of no more than equal ability, a lack of fighting spirit saw United crash to a heavy defeat against a side that has admittedly now scored sixty-three goals in its last six games. Hopefully, this will serve as a wake-up call to United's squad of very talented youngsters, and help them to understand that they are now playing in a league, in which there will be no pushovers, so nothing less than 100% effort will be good enough to avoid similar results to this one. The team managers have challenged the squad to come out with all guns blazing in their next game, and to remember that, if they can play at the level they are all capable of, another long unbeaten run is perfectly within their grasp, even at this higher standard.
7 October 2007 - Hastings United 3-6 Jarvis Brook Juniors
After an almost scandalous four week break without a game, United at last returned to action, but slipped to their first league defeat in over a year. United started brightly and took the game to their opponents, taking a third minute lead when a superb cross from Conner Burton resulted in a bullet header from Lewis Phillips that gave the Jarvis Brook keeper no chance. At that stage, it appeared that normal service had been resumed, and barely another three minutes had elapsed before some more good football allowed Ben Roots to unleash a piledriver into the roof of the net from the edge of the box to put United two goals up. United were really buzzing, and some excellent passing and moving gave Alex Laye a superb chance to score number three, but his shot went agonisingly wide, and the miss sadly proved costly, as Jarvis Brook suddenly started to get the upper hand and, after a crazy fifteen minute spell, United somehow found themselves 4-2 down, mainly being the architects of their own downfall. To their credit, they got back into the game again, with a goal from Bradley Owens five minutes before the interval, but moments before the half time whistle sounded, Jarvis Brook scored a fifth to restore their two goal lead. The second half started in disastrous fashion for United, when more or less straight from the kick off, they found themselves a further goal behind due to some more sloppy play all round. It wasn't looking good for United, but as usual, they showed true grit and determination to get a foothold back in the game, and for the last twenty minutes, kept their opponents permanently on the back foot, creating chance after chance, which on any other day, Nelson Whyman, Alex, Lewis and Karl Tomlin would have put away. Full time arrived without further addition to the score, but despite the defeat, United emerged with great credit, and given a couple more games and hopefully some more regular action, they should start competing in this division as they know they can. The player of the match award went to Ed Smissen.
8 September 2007 - Hastings United 17-5 Langton Green Sports
Last season's Rother League Under 12 champions kicked off the new campaign in a new league this morning, having switched to the Crowborough League's A Division, but they picked up where they left off with a hugely convincing win against a Langton Green side, who could only field ten players due to illness within their squad. Sadly, the contest was rather one-sided against depleted opponents, who deserve enormous credit for seeing the contest through despite their weakness in numbers. Nelson Whyman led the way for United with a five goal salvo, while Lewis Phillips and captain Alex Laye weighed in with three apiece. Dan Tewkesbury and new signing Karl Tomlin each added a brace, and the scoring was completed by vice-captain Ben Roots and an own goal. The entire team shared the player of the match award, as the victory meant that the lads are now unbeaten in league football for a whole year, which is a superb achievement.