Duo depart The Pilot Field

Two of Hastings United’s recent recruits appear to have left the football club.
Hastings United defender Sean Ray scraps for possession during last weekend's 1-0 defeat away to Whitstable Town. Picture courtesy Joe KnightHastings United defender Sean Ray scraps for possession during last weekend's 1-0 defeat away to Whitstable Town. Picture courtesy Joe Knight
Hastings United defender Sean Ray scraps for possession during last weekend's 1-0 defeat away to Whitstable Town. Picture courtesy Joe Knight

United manager Dom Di Paola confirmed that Darren Boswell and influential midfielder Joe Shelley have departed after making only 12 appearances between them.

He said: “It’s a real shame as I think they would’ve been good players for Hastings. I think Joe gave us something the team didn’t have. He gave us energy in there and he was finding his feet at this level.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“There’s nothing much I can do about it. He’s got his reasons and they’re not reasons I can really control. It’s one of those things. (Tom) Vickers is back now, and we’ve got Tom, Tim (Olorunda), Sam Adams, Kev Keehan. We’ve got players.”

United will reach the midway point of their Ryman Football League Division One South programme tomorrow (Saturday) with an important home game against Redhill.

The U’s are languishing in 19th place, two positions and three points above their opponents having played three more matches.

“They’ve strengthened up a bit and picked up a touch so it’s going to be a tough game,” continued Di Paola. “We’ve not had a good run of league results in the last four. You could argue they were four winnable games and we’ve only picked up two points.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“Someone’s going to get beaten soon by us. We’re creating chances, we’re playing pretty well and at some stage the luck’s going to change.

“Saturday at Whitstable (where United lost 1-0 after playing three-quarters of the match with 10 following the dismissal of Adam Hunt) we played really well. We played some good football and created some good chances - more chances than them.

“I would be worried if we were playing terribly, but I don’t think we are playing terribly. We’re losing by the odd goal and we’re giving away some cheap goals, but I don’t think in general we’re playing badly.

“If we can get a more settled side out, we should be okay. Where we’re having this state of flux and not getting the results, we just need a little bit of luck to change and then hopefully we can kick on and have another spell of decent results because the performances have been good in my mind.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“In the last four (league games) I think we’ve played well in three-and-a-half of them. It’s only the first half of the South Park game I was disappointed with. There’s plenty of good players there, but for whatever reason, the boys at the moment are just not confident in getting wins. At some stage it has to change.”

Ade Olorunda starts a three-game ban, and Richard Rose is considered touch and go. Arron Hopkinson, Tim Olorunda and Marc Pullan should feature despite nursing knocks.