Hastings caught out by Police raid

The U’s had won three away matches on the spin in the Ryman Premier but this sequence never looked like being extended at Imber Court.

The Police took the game by the scruff of the neck with two goals in the space of three minutes towards the end of the first half.

After twice being denied by the woodwork and having another effort cleared off the line, the home side finally opened the scoring when Carl Wilson-Denis capitalised on indecision in the Hastings box between goalkeeper Lloyd Anderson and a defender.

Moments later a Tyron Smith corner from the left was missed by Anderson and Jay Lovett nodded home at the back post.

Hastings had the ball in the net soon after half time but the finish by Billy Medlock, who had a lively debut after coming on as a half time substitute, was ruled out for a foul on the goalkeeper by Kenny Pogue.

Zac Attwood then saw a thumping free kick from some 30 yards cannon back off the underside of the Police crossbar.

The in-form hosts always looked like adding to their tally, however, and after being denied by the post, Wilson-Denis claimed his second of the match with a well-struck shot which slipped through the grasp of Anderson.

The Hastings’ goalie’s afternoon to forget was made complete when a Smith corner squirmed out of his gloves and dropped inside the far post.

Hastings are back in action on Tuesday when they visit Ryman Division One strugglers Crawley Down in the third round of the Sussex Senior Cup, kick-off 7.30pm.