U’s handcuffed by Police

Last Saturday, Hastings United reached round two of the FA Cup for the first time with a 2-1 win away to Bishop’s Stortford. This Saturday, they lost 4-0 at Metropolitan Police in the Ryman League Football Premier Division.

The damage was done by three goals in the opening quarter by a Police side which was edged out 2-1 at home to League One club Crawley Town in its FA Cup first round tie last weekend.

After Jack Dixon shot straight at the goalkeeper and Dee Okojie was whiskers away from getting on the end of Zac Attwood’s cross, Met Police broke down the other end to take a ninth minute lead.

Eight minutes later it was 2-0 as Sean Ray attempted to chest the ball back to Matt Armstrong-Ford only for it to trickle into the net. Moments later the hosts added a third after Jono Richardson slipped.

Danny Ellis replaced the injured Richardson and United did at least end the first half fairly strongly. A couple of free kicks came to nothing before Dixon played in Okojie, who shot just wide with the goalkeeper to beat.

After a very disappointing first half, things didn’t get any better at the start of the second period. Ray conceded a penalty five minutes in and Met Police scored their fourth.

United, who brought on youngster Charlie Bachellier for Carey with 10 minutes or so remaining, did at least avoid conceding any more, but this was very definitely an afternoon they will want to forget.

United: Armstrong-Ford, Cox, Richardson, Carey, Ray, Jirbandey, Manning, Crellin, Dixon, Attwood, Okojie. Subs: Vickers, Whitehead, Ellis, Bachellier.