FA Cup triumph for Hastings United after late night penalty shootout

Hastings United deservedly won through to the FA Cup second qualifying round after a thrilling 6-5 penalty shootout against Chesham United of the Southern League Premier South.
Hastings United boss Chris AgutterHastings United boss Chris Agutter
Hastings United boss Chris Agutter

With the ninety minutes ending scoreless and no extra-time or replays, the game moved straight to penalties and ended when the visitors struck the crossbar from their sixth kick.

Tuesday 22nd September, a dry warm evening, floodlights beaming in the clear night sky. United in their claret shirts, white shorts and socks, Chesham in shirts of yellow and black halves.

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After the opening twenty minutes it was hard to imagine the game would go the full distance without a goal. Chesham came flying out of the blocks, working their way down the left, a low cross and a firm close-range header thudded against the post with barely two minutes on the clock. A let off for United.

Five minutes later, after a period of possession, a Chesham cross from the right was headed narrowly wide. Then a long clearance left United’s defence and goalkeeper in two minds allowing another strike on goal which Louis Rogers palmed away for a corner.

The ‘Generals’ continued to control the play, winning tackles in midfield and their forward line allowing United’s defence no time. Another shot from distance was saved by Rogers before a low deep cross cried out for a touch but was missed everyone. A strong positive start for the visitors, but without reward.

Those twenty minutes belonged to Chesham and finally United stirred, began to compete in the middle of the field and gain time on the ball. A superb long pass from Craig Stone to Marcus Goldsmith won the ‘U’s a corner, then a clever Sam Cruttwell first time ball over the top set Raheem Sterling-Parker away. He side-stepped the onrushing goalkeeper but poked a shot the wrong side of the open goal. The home crowd warmed to clear signs of United getting up to speed.

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The next 15 minutes was tit-for-tat, tackles flying in all over the pitch with neither side making progress.

Sterling-Parker struck United’s first effort on target toward the end of the half before Tom Chalmers lit up the evening with an outrageous piece of skill. Collecting the ball 25 yards out, he skipped past three defenders before seeing his goal bound shot deflected away by the goalkeeper’s feet. Sterling-Parker’s follow-up shot struck a United player and flew wide.

Half time: Hastings United 0 – 0 Chesham United

The second half began with both sides exchanging possession, though it was noticeable the Chesham forwards had changed tactics. No longer harassing the United defence but allowing them to knock the ball around, and only pressing when the ball was moved forward.

This gave United the opportunity to keep possession and manoeuvre the play from left to right and back again. It grinds down the opposition and eventually creates space. Into which Ollie Black strode, down the left, he exchanged passes with Sterling-Parker and won a corner from which Stone hit a sweet volley just over the bar.

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The game remained goalless but United were edging possession, and edging aggression. Typified by Black, Sterling-Parker and Benn Ward forming a partnership on the left and repeatedly making inroads.

Now it was United in control and Chesham were pushed back with every one of their players in their own half.

Yet out of nothing it was Chesham who almost broke the deadlock with fifteen minutes remaining. A short throw created a shooting opportunity for Bradley Clayton who hit a brilliant swirling effort from twenty yards, Rogers had not moved when the ball crashed against the upright and away.

In the remaining time neither side created another opportunity. Chesham repelled three Black long throws whilst United defended a series of long-range free kicks. The whistle blew for full time, and so to penalties.

Full time: Hastings United 0 – 0 Chesham United

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The Steve Smith Stand end is chosen, in which the United fans and bass drum are waiting. After six penalties each the score is 5-5. As cool as you like, Aaron Capon drills home for United and then it is all over as Chesham hit the crossbar. United are through and for now we love penalty shootouts.

Penalties: Hastings United 6 – 5 Chesham United

It took twenty minutes to get into the game against an excellent Chesham side, but once the midfield got to grips the game swung more and more in United’s favour. The visitors struck the woodwork twice but a third clean sheet for United is the statistic which matters. The draw for the second qualifying round will be made on Friday 25thSeptember with ties to be played on Saturday 3rdOctober.

Man of the match: Benn Ward. Phenomenal talent, strength and a smart footballing brain for a youngster who has broken into the first team. Industrious, never gives up and loves a tackle. Bravely took and scored United’s fourth penalty. Justifiably won the award for his performance.

Hastings United: Rogers, Black, Worrall, Elphick, Stone, Pope, Chalmers (89’ Adams), Goldsmith, Cruttwell (70’ Dixon), Sterling-Parker (70’ Capon), Ward (Unused subs: Elliott, Rodari, Pogue, Greig)

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Chesham United: Beasant, Prosper, Rolfe, Kirby, Brown, Gallimore, Adcock (83’ Martin), Wynter (74’ Clayton), Casey, Joseph (90’ Pearce), Oliyide (Unused subs: Murphy, Jenkins, Mfinda, Busari)

Next game: Away to Faversham Town on Saturday 26th September, kick off at 3pm.