Hastings United 3 Burwash 0
Hastings United progressed to the next round of the SCL Cup with a 3-nil victory over Burwash. But the score line at the Academy doesn’t really reflect the game which was anything but one-way traffic.
The visitors were controlling the game early doors with some good passing moves and a high press but they simply couldn’t cope with Beaky up front. The little fellah was definitely in the mood for goals and had three or four sighters before he smashed home the opener.
Prior to that, the match had been as flat as a loaf of unleavened bread for United before a pass over from Jimbo found its mark for the first of the slender one’s two assists of the match.
The Burrs had already had a couple of shots well over before they tested Gig for the only time in the match. Colin saved well down to his left and two balls flew into the bramble forest behind the goal only to be harvested next week by local youths running the Ore found-ball racket.
Beaky had eight shots in the game and his second goal was the pick of them. He used his incredible low centre of gravity to turn left and right before unleashing his effort which confounded the bubble-wrapped keeper.
Burwash didn’t come to spectate and continued to push forward. Their massive centre back began to get more of an angle on Beaks but this only allowed Blakey to burst through from midfield, take the assist from the Beakster, and drive home from eight yards.
It was three-nil at half time and with the match all but won, Coach Russ rotated the team with a dazzling array of substitutions to give everyone a decent run-out.
Russ and Deano at the back of any side are a formidable duo, but with such a chunky cushion, the Coach pushed forward in search of a goal himself. Jimbo had two excellent chances well saved by the Burwash keeper and he made the save of the match, tipping over a fierce shot from Peruvian Mick midway through the half.
Despite the score line, the visitors were never out of this and only sensible game management saw the victory out. We went back time and again to Gig and showed we can defend a lead.
El Jay demonstrated his holding skills up front but didn’t get a decent chance and Wingnut did enough to remind everyone that he deserves his place in the side as an excellent utility player.
In fact, that’s the word of the day. Jay can play forward or back or out on the wing, Blakey as a defender has one of the best right feet in the squad, Wingnut is a superb stand-in keeper if required and Beaky spent the whole of the second half at right back, as well as being our biggest goal threat.
Russ rotated the lads well and even took himself off for the last ten only to exercise his vocals on the touchline to great effect. The team really listens to him.
Mark Vincent reffed well and not a single card was shown in a game played in great spirit. Sadly Catering Carol was unwell and there were no post-match refreshments. We wish her a speedy recovery and look forward to her ham rolls and hot tea next time.
Undoubted man of the match was Beaky with two goals and an assist and Burwash MoM was number 55 Peter Henly who is a skillfull player and a constant threat through the middle.
