Kit sponsored by Shartro Ltd Business Coaching
Jackets sponsored by Coopers Newsagents
Manager: Mr Clive Raines
Mobile: 07916 301134
Email: clive.raines@gmail.com
| Pos | Team | P | W | D | L | GD | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | HASTINGS UNITED | 21 | 16 | 2 | 3 | +37 | 50 |
| 2 | Eastbourne Borough | 21 | 14 | 2 | 5 | +48 | 44 |
| 3 | Pevensey & Westham Junior | 21 | 13 | 4 | 4 | +42 | 43 |
| 4 | Bexhill Town | 21 | 11 | 2 | 8 | +22 | 35 |
| 5 | Westfield | 21 | 9 | 3 | 9 | -16 | 30 |
| 6 | Guestling Rangers | 21 | 5 | 3 | 13 | -23 | 18 |
| 7 | Hastings Town Minors | 21 | 5 | 0 | 16 | -59 | 15 |
| 8 | Little Common Rovers | 21 | 2 | 2 | 17 | -51 | 8 |
Assisting manager Clive Raines for the 2007/08 season will be John Spittles, along with Robert Pearson and Duncan Matthews.
The 2007/08 playing squad will be as follows. Alfie Ilmers (GoalKeeper), Wesley Leonard (Defence), Tom White (Defence), Dale Matthews (Defence), Jamie Spittles (Defence), captain Jake Bullard (Defence), Michael Gasson (Midfield/Defence), Liam Cooper (Midfield/Wing Back), Sean Wright (Midfield), Steve Martin (Attacking Midfield), Steven Dewis (Midfield), Charlie Beerling (Midfield), Melik Yalcin (Midfield), Louis Battershill (Midfield), Sam Allen (Midfield), Max Haydon (Forward) and Ryan Grayston (Forward). Most of the squad are pictured below.
30 September 2007 - Pevensey & Westham Junior v Hastings United
23 September 2007 - Hastings United 5-1 Little Common Rovers
United began their home campaign against a Little Common Rovers team that were sitting top of the table after an 11-2 demolition of Hastings Town Minors on opening day. Before kick off, United had to contend with the withdrawal of two players from the squad for personal reasons, the previous weekend's skipper Dale Matthews and first choice keeper Alfie Ilmers. After a quick reshuffle, which saw defender Jamie Spittles deputise in goal and Mike Gasson drop back into defence, United got up and running, taking the game to the visitors, moving the ball well through midfield and creating numerous early chances. United deservedly opened the scoring after fifteen minutes, when Max Haydon drove the ball low past the keeper, but United continued to waste chances to increase the lead, and a loss in concentration at the back allowed Little Common to draw level against the run of play. This lifted the visitors and they ended the half in the ascendancy, pushing United further back into their own half, although the interval arrived without further addition to the scoring. After the break, United took to the field in a different formation, with Mike pushing up into midfield and United reverting to three at the back, in an attempt to drive the game back into Little Common territory. The changes paid dividends with goals coming at regular intervals throughout the second period, Max adding his second of the game and then turning provider to set up Steve Martin for United's third. Steve got his second of the day towards the end of the game, and the scoring was completed when Mike powered through the midfield to drive the ball past the keeper to complete a resounding victory. Mike collected the man of the match award for his solid defensive display in the first half, and for managing to turn the game on its head in the second, with a commanding midfield performance.
16 September 2007 - Westfield 1-2 Hastings United
United kicked off their Rother League campaign with a short trip out to Westfield this morning for a fixture that was made all the more important to the team due to them having a former Westfield player in their squad, while the home side featured several players from previous age groups who had left the Hastings Gunners Red squad to join Westfield mid-season. The day did not start well for United, with the news that they were going to be without three players, skipper Jake Bullard and striker Ryan Grayston both unavailable, and last season's most improved player Sean Wright out due to illness. Dale Matthews captained the side in Jake's absence. United started the game brightly, making use of the large pitch and passing the ball well, and it wasn't long before their pressure resulted in the first goal of the season, the earliest possible contender for goal of the season as well, as Stevie Dewis took possession of the ball wide on the left of the Westfield area and floated a delicate chip over the keeper and just inside the far post, before being mobbed by the rest of the team. As the half wore on, Westfield started to get a hold on the game and, shortly before the interval, after a defensive lapse by United, a low cross was turned in to level the score. The half time team talk focused on the need to regain control of the game to get the passes going again, while a forced change due to a slight injury saw Tom White replaced by Louis Battershill for his competitive debut for United. The second half ebbed and flowed, with both teams carving out chances to take the lead, but thanks to some brave goalkeeping on both sides, the game looked destined to end in a draw, right up until the last minute. Enter Steve Martin, who found himself clean through on the Westfield goal, after a defence-splitting pass from the midfield. Steve kept his cool, with defenders bearing down on him, rounded the advancing keeper, and rolled the ball home to seal the win and three points for United, and the man of the match for himself, for being a constant thorn in the Westfield side.