FA Youth Cup 1st Qualifying Round
The Pilot Field, Hastings
Admission: £3.00
Programme: None
Attendance: 84
I decided to take in some rare Thursday evening football this evening, for an always pleasant visit to the Pilot Field.
Both clubs have already negotiated one round of this season's FA Youth Cup, with Hastings United beating Chessington & Hook United 1-3 away, whilst Virginia Water won 0-3 at Seaford Town.
On a mild evening under clear skies, this match started quite evenly, until Hastings were awarded a penalty, when Freddie Legg was brought down in full stride as he entered the penalty area. Jack Bates stepped up to strike the ball into the bottom left corner, just beyond the keeper's dive. The game then rapidly started to get away from the visitors, as Hastings doubled their lead on 17 minutes. Legg made a dangerous run down the right and although his cross was blocked, Bates struck the loose ball swerving just inside the far post. And on 21 minutes it seemed like it was already game over when the hosts scored their third, yet again Legg sent another cross in from the right, and this time Lambert swept the ball home inside the far post. But just after the half hour mark, Virginia Water were awarded a penalty for a trip inside the box, but Hastings keeper Holmwood saved it low to his left. But the referee ruled that the penalty should be retaken, presumably with Holmwood off his line, but the visitors couldn't take advantage of the reprieve, with the second penalty struck against the left hand post. But the visitors did pull a goal back on 34 minutes, Nicky Loveridge with an excellent volley at waist height sending the ball into the top left corner. Hastings came close to restoring their three goal advantage three minutes later, with a drilled shot sent just wide of the far post.
With a two goal cushion going into the second half, Hastings generally did a good job in controlling the game, although Virginia Water did come close to pulling another goal back, firstly on 56 minutes a powerful shot from a slight angle was blocked by the keeper's legs, and on 64 minutes, a looped shot saw Holmwood get his fingertips to divert the ball onto the woodwork behind him. But from then on, it was Hastings who created the more chances to score again, but the fourth did not arrive until the 89th minute, when another penalty was awarded, seemingly on the advice of the linesman, which Bates converted into the top right corner to seal his hat-trick.
So it was Hastings who progress to the second qualifying round, where they will face a difficult looking visit to Worthing. Virginia Water deserve credit for a battling performance where they gave everything and with a little more fortune, the outcome could have been a lot closer.
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