Hastings held by Casuals

United had to settle for a 2-2 draw away to Corinthian Casuals in Ryman Football League Division One South having trailed at half time before leading in the second half.

Playing their first away game for seven weeks, United went behind at King George’s Field in Tolworth when Glenn Boosey applied a simple finish to a move down the home left.

United enjoyed plenty of possession during the remainder of the first half, but struggled to create chances. Danny Ellis had a goalbound effort palmed away by Casuals goalkeeper Danny Bracken, who also blocked Matt Darby’s header from a Sam Adams corner.

The U’s levelled soon after the restart when Kenny Pogue headed home an Adams free kick from the right-hand side of the area. Pogue then missed a great chance to put United ahead by shooting wide having put clean through by Adams.

United did go in front soon afterwards as Darby unleashed a shot from outside the area which took a big deflection and left Bracken helpless. It seemed as though United were in commmand as an Ellis shot was desperately scrambled away.

Casuals equalised, though, with a goal out of nothing, Jamie Byatt scoring at the end of an attack through the middle. Neither side was able to force a winner during a fairly scrappy finale.

United: Pelling, Hare, Slocombe, Darby, Judge, Kelly, Ellis, Dolan, Pogue, Adams, Camara. Subs: Gilbert, Pacheco, Vickers, Woodley, Lee.

Standings (played-points): 1 Peacehaven & Telscombe 17-35, 2 HASTINGS UNITED 16-34, 3 Walton Casuals 18-34, 4 Leatherhead 16-30, 5 Worthing 19-30, 6 Guernsey 15-28, 7 Faversham Town 18-26, 8 Ramsgate 16-24, 9 Crawley Down Gatwick 16-24, 10 Hythe Town 15-23, 11 Walton & Hersham 16-23, 12 Tooting & Mitcham United 18-22, 13 Burgess Hill Town 15-22, 14 Redhill 18-22, 15 Folkestone Invicta 16-21, 16 Herne Bay 16-21, 17 Sittingbourne 16-20, 18 Horsham 17-19, 19 Whitstable Town 15-17, 20 Merstham 17-17, 21 Three Bridges 16-16, 22 Chipstead 17-15, 23 Corinthian Casuals 17-11, 24 Eastbourne Town 16-11.