Isthmian League

Division 1 South East

Saturday 1st January 2022

Kick Off 15.00. On Time !

Hastings United 1 Lancing 0, attendance 2,017

69’ 1-0

@ The Pilot Field

Elphinstone Road

Hastings

TN34 2AX

£12 Admission

£2.50 Programme, 36 pages.

I only had three new ground options in England today. It was too risky with the prospect of late call offs due to Covid-19, to attempt either Goonhavern or Rosudgeon in Cornwall (both played) and I just didn’t fancy Stroud United in Division 4 of the Stroud & Distict League, as the opposition were Stonehouse Town 3rds.

I opted instead for a revisit at a ground I last visited on 17th January 1997, when I saw Hastings Town lose 1-3 to Salisbury City in an F.A. Trophy 1st Round match, in front of 389 spectators. It is now Hastings United that play here and they came into this top of the league table, whilst the visitors were third from bottom. The club were hopeful of attracting their biggest crowd of the season so far, having already topped four figures on five occasions this season, the best of which was 1,303 versus Ashford United. They absolutely smashed it, as an incredible 2,017 turned up, which included very few, if any, with the visitors. It wasn’t just a season best, but was their highest attendance ever for a league match, eclipsing the 1,834 that saw them host A.F.C. Wimbledon in 2005. Surprisingly, it didn’t even feel cramped, with plenty of space in the standing areas, although the seated stand looked pretty full. These old style grounds have much more character than the boring modern builds will ever have, even if they are a bit rough around the edges.

Unfortunately, the game itself was dreadful. In fact, it wasn’t even that good! Lancing came for a 0-0 draw and offered little. Hastings were awful. It certainly doesn’t say much for this league if they are top. The only goal came from a scramble in the box, that saw Joe Dixon fire in off the underside of the crossbar from 10 yards, with just over twenty minutes left. Ten minutes from time Hastings had a chance to make it 2-0 from the penalty spot, but the effort was easily saved by the visitor’s ‘keeper. Despite kicking off on time, the game didn’t finish until 16.57.