Manager: Darren Smith
Tel: 01424 202838
Mobile: 07940 431917
Email: darrensmith704.aol.com
Assistant Manager: Rick Stappleton
Crowborough & District Junior Football League - Under 18s league table
United are running two Under 18 sides in the 2009/10 season, with Sean Ray's squad competing in the Sussex County Youth League. Meanwhile, the other side will be managed by Darren Smith and coached by Rick Stappleton, while former boss Paul Slayford will look after all things off-field.
The squad now comprises twenty players, several of whom have been playing together in the same side since they joined Hastings Town Under 8s, Slayford brought the team to United ahead of their 2008/09 Under 16 campaign, as he felt that the Club offered greater opportunities for the players to progress to senior football. He also appreciated the extra support from United's Youth Section, particularly from Peter Jenner, the Youth Club Secretary at the time.
Already this season, the team have enjoyed success, winning a six-a-side tournament, along with four of their five pre-season friendlies, clearly showing the impact that both Darren and Rick have had, as well as the passion and commitment shown by the players, some of whom are already featuring in United's Reserve Team.
They begin their league campaign on the 20 September, playing at home to Crowborough Athletic Colts in the Crowborough League, and have set themselves a target of a top five finish or better.
Everyone involved with the team would like to thank Superstitch for sponsoring the team's kit, which is the first new set that the side has had since their Under 12 season. Thanks also to Photek, who have agreed to part-finance a training kit for the team this year. Any other potential sponsors would be welcomed, as the team desperately need training equipment and an away kit.
The team is pictured below. Back row, left to right, are Josh Eaton, Jamie Price, Joe Steele, Liam McDonald, Ryan Still, Buchard Bakundukize, Sam Slayford and Andy Parsons. Front row, left to right, are Connor Beaney, Grant Matthews, Dale Matthews, Greg Cummins, Jason Maurice, Eddie Jenner, Ryan Baker and Jack Davies. Not included in the photo are recent signings Callum McDonald, Curtis Coombes, Tom Winch and Grant Cornelius.
The Under 18s B are also pictured below in their new training kit, which has been generously sponsored by Photek. The squad trains twice weekly on the all-weather pitch at Filsham Valley School, and currently occupy sixth place in the Crowborough League table, having won three of their six matches played to date. Photek manufacture Image Intensifiers, and a range of associated electronics and camera systems. Their premises are situated on Castleham Industrial Estate.
Back row, left to right, are Andy Parsons, Greg Cummins, Callum McDonald, Sam Slayford, Ryan Baker, Jack Davies, Connor Beaney and Buchard Bakundukize. Front row, left to right, are Jason Maurice, Jamie Price, Grant Cornelius, Eddie Jenner, Tom Winch, Michael Cane and Josh Eaton. Not included in the photo are Liam McDonald, Joe Steele, Curtis Coombes, Grant Matthews and Dale Matthews.
Hildenborough Juniors 0-1 Hastings United
Hastings United 2-0 Hildenborough Juniors
7/3. United clinched all six points on offer this morning, after travelling to Hildenborough for a "double header", a consequence of the recent spate of bad weather. In the first fixture, United played some good flowing football, and were rewarded with a goal from a superb strike by new signing Roberto Martelini. Although the U's continued to press, and created several more chances, they could not extend their lead, and the shortened game finished with United victorious by that single goal.
The second fixture followed a similar pattern, and when Buchard Bakandukize was brought crashing down in the Hildenborough area, Ryan Baker calmly stepped up to slot the resulting penalty into the bottom left hand corner, scoring his first goal for the Club. Once again, United pressurised their opponents in search of a second, with Greg Cummins finally hitting the back of the net, after a goalmouth scramble, to give the U's a more comfortable cushion second time around.
United line-up in match one: 1 Liam McDonald, 2 Jamie Price, 3 Sam Slayford, 4 Connor Beaney, 5 Jack Davies, 6 Michael Cane, 7 Callum McDonald, 8 Greg Cummins, 9 Roberto Martelini, 10 Curtis Coombes, 11 Josh Eaton. Subs used: Buchard Bakandukize, Jason Maurice.
United line-up in match two: 1 Liam McDonald, 2 Jamie Price, 3 Sam Slayford, 4 Ryan Baker, 5 Jack Davies, 6 Callum McDonald, 7 Curtis Coombes, 8 Buchard Bakandukize, 9 Roberto Martelini, 10 Greg Cummins, 11 Tom Winch. Subs used: Josh Eaton, Jason Maurice, Michael Cane.
Pembury Athletic 2-2 Hastings United
7/2. United travelled to Pembury Athletic this morning for their second league outing of the year, only to return home frustrated at allowing their hosts a second half comeback that saw honours finish even. The U’s started well, using the wide pitch, and their pass and move game, to carve through the Pembury defence, taking the lead when Greg Cummins rifled in a shot from the edge of the area, after Pembury had failed to clear the ball. United continued to dominate, extending their lead when Michael Cane slotted home following a fluid build-up involving a string of passes from the halfway line.
After the interval, Pembury took advantage of a United side changed due to injurys, and with twenty minutes of the game remaining, they scored twice in quick succession to level the score. The U's managed to repel the continued pressure, and launched a fightback of their own, creating several more chances themselves, however they were unable to convert any of them, and the win proved elusive in the end.
United line-up: 1 Liam McDonald, 2 Jamie Price, 3 Sam Slayford, 4 Ryan Baker, 5 Jack Davies, 6 Michael Cane, 7 Callum McDonald, 8 Greg Cummins, 9 Andy Parsons, 10 Connor Beaney, 11 Tom Winch. Subs used: Curtis Coombes, Jason Maurice, Buchard Bakundukize.
Hastings United 3-0 Edenbridge United
31/1. After almost two months without playing, due to the adverse weather, United’s home match against Edenbridge was switched to their opponents' ground in Kent to enable the fixture to go ahead. The game was even for the first twenty minutes, until United broke the deadlock, when Michael Cane scored his first for the Club, looping his shot over the advancing keeper. The U's continued to apply pressure, and were rewarded when midfielder Sam Slayford’s shot slipped through the unfortunate keeper's hands to double the lead.
As the interval loomed, Jason Maurice put the game out of Edenbridge’s reach, turning in a low cross from Jamie Price. The second half followed the same pattern, with United creating chances, however a fourth goal remained elusive. Late on, the U's were awarded a penalty, after Cane was brought down in the area, but a fine save from the ensuing spot kick forced United to settle for a three goal margin of victory, as they picked up their first win since defeating the same opposition in early October.
United line-up: 1 Liam McDonald, 2 Jamie Price, 3 Sam Slayford, 4 Ryan Baker, 5 Jack Davies, 6 Michael Cane, 7 Callum McDonald, 8 Greg Cummins, 9 Jason Maurice, 10 Connor Beaney, 11 Josh Eaton. Subs used: Tom Winch, Andy Parsons.
Hastings United 1-2 Pembury Athletic
22/11. Report not provided.
Hastings United 2-8 Langton Green
8/11. United suffered their fourth consecutive defeat this morning, crashing out of the Crowborough League Cup at the hands of Langton Green. It was actually United who opened the scoring, after enjoying a ten minute period of good possession, when Andy Parsons latched onto a through ball to slot past the advancing Langton keeper. However, the lead did not last long, with the visitors breaking quickly to score on five occasions before the half time break, despite United continuing to create chances, which they were unable to convert into goals. The second period saw Langton increase their lead still further, but United refused to give up, and pushed forward in an effort to get back into the match, duly being rewarded when a Langton defender miscued an attempted clearance into his own net. Late in the game, and down to nine players, due to injuries to both striker Parsons and keeper Liam McDonald, United continued to press forward, only to be caught on the break twice more before the final whistle.
United line-up: 1 Liam McDonald, 2 Jamie Price, 3 Sam Slayford, 4 Ryan Baker, 5 Jack Davies, 6 Michael Cane, 7 Callum McDonald, 8 Greg Cummins, 9 Grant Cornelius, 10 Tom Winch, 11 Andy Parsons. Subs used: Jason Maurice, Connor Beaney, Josh Eaton.
Tunbridge Wells Foresters 4-1 Hastings United
25/10. A United side weakened by illness and injury travelled to Tunbridge Wells today, and were unable to overcome the unbeaten Crowborough League leaders. United started well, and for the first twenty-five minutes, the game remained evenly balanced, but the home team then broke through the United defence to score twice in quick succession. United fought hard, and Curtis Coombes pulled a goal back, slotting home from close range after the home keeper had failed to gather a loose ball cleanly. Although this visibly lifted United, the Foresters went on to score twice more before half time, despite some superb saves from Liam McDonald, and some valiant defending from United’s back four. The second half saw United battle hard to hold off the home side, restricting them to just one further goal, but they were sadly unable to add to their own tally, on their way to suffering a third consecutive defeat.
United line-up: 1 Liam McDonald, 2 Jamie Price, 3 Ryan Baker, 4 Sam Slayford, 5 Jack Davies, 6 Josh Eaton, 7 Joe Steele, 8 Grant Matthews, 9 Andy Parsons, 10 Curtis Coombes, 11 Tom Winch. Subs used: Edward Jenner, Grant Cornelius, Buchard Bakundukize.
Hastings United 1-7 Langton Green Sports Club
18/10. After three successive away fixtures, United returned to their Sandhurst home to play host to Crowborough League leaders Langton Green. It proved to be a chastening experience though, because although United started well enough, it was the visitors who struck twice in the early stages, before Callum McDonald fired home a free kick from the edge of the penalty area to halve the deficit. United continued to battle hard, but the visitors managed to find the net three more times before the interval, putting the contest out of United's reach. After the restart, the U's enjoyed a period of good possession, but once again, Langton Green overcame that pressure to score their sixth, converting a late penalty to complete the scoring and wrap up a handsome win.
United line-up: 1 Liam McDonald, 2 Jamie Price, 3 Sam Slayford, 4 Josh Eaton, 5 Jack Davies, 6 Callum McDonald, 7 Greg Cummins, 8 Tom Winch, 9 Jason Maurice, 10 Curtis Coombes, 11 Andy Parsons. Subs used: Grant Cornelius, Ryan Baker, Buchard Bakundukize.
Roselands Junior 6-3 Hastings United
11/10. For the third weekend in a row, United were off on their travels this morning, to contest a top of the table clash in the Crowborough League against Roselands. Despite the team's best efforts though, the result did not go their way, as United slipped to their first defeat of the season. United started well, and opened the scoring when a poor clearance from the Roselands defence, found Callum McDonald with time and space to drive the ball home, a slight deflection leaving the home keeper stranded. Both teams battled well for most of the half, but it was Roselands who began to take control of the aerial game, duly hitting back with a trio of goals before the half time interval.
Straight from the restart, United pushed forward, and were rewarded with a penalty, which Jack Davies slotted home, and soon after, United claimed a second penalty, although this time, Davies' effort skimmed the top of the crossbar and the chance of an equaliser was lost. United continued to create chances, playing some excellent one touch football, before Roselands broke suddenly to increase their lead once more. Andy Parsons pulled one back, finding the back of the net with a well placed shot, and although United were unrelenting in their efforts to level the score, it was Roselands who were able to convert two further chances before the final whistle, and claim all three points.
United line-up: 1 Liam McDonald, 2 Jamie Price, 3 Sam Slayford, 4 Ryan Baker, 5 Jack Davies, 6 Josh Eaton, 7 Greg Cummins, 8 Callum McDonald, 9 Andy Parsons, 10 Grant Cornelius, 11 Curtis Coombes. Subs used: Tom Winch, Eddie Jenner.
Edenbridge United 4-6 Hastings United
4/10. United travelled to Edenbridge for their third match of the season today, eventually making it three wins out of three, but only after a very frustrating second half. United began well, applying pressure from the first whistle, and were rewarded when Jack Davies headed the first goal from a Greg Cummins corner. Soon after, Cummins doubled the score himself, chipping the ball over the keeper. He then added United's third, finding the net on the rebound, after the Edenbridge keeper could only block a powerful shot from Josh Eaton. Edenbridge managed to counter-attack, forcing some great saves from the agile United keeper Liam McDonald, but before the half time break, Cummins completed his hattrick, following up after a long throw from Davies.
The second half saw Edenbridge rally begin, when a long range free kick looped in over McDonald. Although United continued to create chances, Edenbridge were the only side converting them, bringing the scores level at four apiece, and even forcing United defender Sam Slayford to clear the ball from his own goalline to prevent United from slipping behind. Half time substitute Curtis Coombes restored United’s lead, latching onto a well placed through ball, which he slid past the home keeper. United then pressed forward, and an accurate crossfield pass from Eaton picked out Grant Cornelius, who found the back of the net with a well placed shot, to complete the scoring in a bizarre contest of heavily contrasting fortunes.
United line-up: 1 Liam McDonald, 2 Jamie Price, 3 Sam Slayford, 4 Ryan Baker, 5 Jack Davies, 6 Josh Eaton, 7 Greg Cummins, 8 Callum McDonald, 9 Dale Matthews, 10 Grant Cornelius, 11 Buchard Bakundukize. Subs used: Curtis Coombes, Jason Maurice, Tom Winch.
Ridgewaye 3-5 Hastings United
27/9. United continued their challenge in the Crowborough & District Junior League with a visit to Ridgewaye this morning. The match kicked off with the two sides evenly matched, but as United began to apply pressure, Greg Cummins latched onto a through ball from Curtis Coombes to open the scoring. United continued to create chances, but despite their best efforts, were denied further goals by the Ridgewaye keeper.
Soon after the start of the second half, United’s Andy Parsons found the back of net, after converting a cross from the right wing. However, within minutes, Ridgewaye struck back with a fine individual effort. United battled hard, and again restored a two goal lead when Cummins followed up a well struck shot from Grant Matthews, which the keeper failed to gather. Ridgewaye responded, scoring again, to bring the score to 3-2, but soon after, a wayward clearance from the Ridgewaye defence left their keeper stranded, giving United a two goal lead yet again. United kept up the pressure, and continued to push forward, being rewarded with a fifth goal, when Parsons ran onto a well timed pass from Coombes. While United searched for goal number six, Ridgewaye quickly broke and collected a third goal of their own, just before the final whistle.
United line-up: 1 Liam McDonald, 2 Jamie Price, 3 Sam Slayford, 4 Jack Davies, 5 Tom Winch, 6 Josh Eaton, 7 Grant Cornelius, 8 Greg Cummins, 9 Andy Parsons, 10 Curtis Coombes, 11 Grant Matthews. Sub used: Jason Maurice.
Hastings United 7-3 Crowborough Athletic Colts
20/9. United played host to Crowborough Athletic Colts in their first fixture in the Crowborough & District Under 18 League, running out handsome 7-3 winners. The game started with the two sides evenly matched for the first ten minutes, before Josh Eaton struck home a great shot from the edge of Crowborough penalty area. Not long afterwards, Callum McDonald hit a blistering shot from thirty yards out, leaving the visiting keeper no chance. Crowborough rallied and pulled a goal back, before McDonald rattled in a similar long range strike to make it 3-1. Striker Andy Parsons could have increased United’s lead still further, hitting both posts and the crossbar, but the away side again recovered, forcing several great saves from United keeper Liam McDonald, before scoring two goals before half time to level the scores at the break.
The second half saw United attack from the start, with interval substitute Curtis Coombes slotting home an excellent byline cross. Grant Matthews soon made it 5-3, being picked out by a cross into the opposition penalty area, before Sam Slayford controlled a long clearance from the Crowborough defence, and fired the ball straight back into the top right corner of the goal from just inside his own half. With Crowborough having no answer to the increasing pressure, it was left to Coombes to complete the scoring with a superb goal, putting the ball past the keeper after latching on to a fine through ball.
United line-up: 1 Liam McDonald, 2 Jamie Price, 3 Sam Slayford, 4 Connor Beaney, 5 Jack Davies, 6 Josh Eaton, 7 Callum McDonald, 8 Greg Cummins, 9 Andy Parsons, 10 Jason Maurice, 11 Grant Matthews. Subs used: Tom Winch, Curtis Coombes.