Young United nab late winner in top-of-the-table clash

Hastings United Football Club's academy team scored a dramatic last gasp winner in a top-of-the-table clash on Wednesday.
Hastings United players and supporters celebrate scoring against Maidstone. Picture courtesy Joe KnightHastings United players and supporters celebrate scoring against Maidstone. Picture courtesy Joe Knight
Hastings United players and supporters celebrate scoring against Maidstone. Picture courtesy Joe Knight

A Jordan Harley goal deep into added time gave United a 2-1 victory at home to The National League U19 Alliance Division B leaders Maidstone United Ambers.

The result moved second-placed United - who are still unbeaten in the league - within five points of their victims having played two fewer matches.

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United academy manager Dean White said: “The performance shown by whole group against Maidstone was exactly what I am looking for, irrelevant of the result.

Tom Climpson rises highest to head Hastings United in front. Picture courtesy Joe KnightTom Climpson rises highest to head Hastings United in front. Picture courtesy Joe Knight
Tom Climpson rises highest to head Hastings United in front. Picture courtesy Joe Knight

“The standards on and off the field have to be raised and The Pilot Field needs to be somewhere that clubs like Maidstone and Dover do not look forward to coming to play at, and we have certainly made it that way so far this season.”

In front of a crowd in excess of 200, United led 1-0 at the break thanks to Tom Climpson’s header from a Charlie Ball free kick. Maidstone began the second half well and equalised with a header at a corner.

The home side put that behind them and went on to search for the winner, which eventually came when Ollie Black’s long throw ping-ponged around in the area and ricocheted onto the crossbar before headed in by Harley from close range.

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It was a real team effort from United, who had trained on each of the two days prior to the match and arrived an hour early on matchday itself to run through their set-pieces.

The Maidstone United goalkeeper is beaten as Hastings United take the lead. Picture courtesy Joe KnightThe Maidstone United goalkeeper is beaten as Hastings United take the lead. Picture courtesy Joe Knight
The Maidstone United goalkeeper is beaten as Hastings United take the lead. Picture courtesy Joe Knight

White added: “The lads deserve so much credit as they have bought into our culture of working hard, being organised, aggressive and difficult to beat, and they are now seeing the benefits of this.

“We are now fully focused on the last three games of the season where we have given ourselves a great chance of winning the league, which would’ve been unthinkable at the start of the season.”

United: Stokes; Morton-Davage, Climpson, Harris, Black; Dullaway, Ball, Beale, Harley; Rodari, Smith. Subs: Kieran, Neech, Harffey, Jegorovs, Mepham.

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United’s next game is at home to Tonbridge Angels on Wednesday afternoon, kick-off 2pm.

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