Hastings Women happy to share Sutton spoils

Hastings celebrate their goal at Gander Green Lane / Picture: Joe Knight - Seaside Photography

On a day of firsts for the Us on and off the pitch, Georgia Tibble’s third goal in two games in claret gave them a first half lead before a late Olivia Watson equaliser rescued a draw for the hosts.

In freezing conditions on the 3G pitch, the first big chance came on eight minutes when Sophie Reed was judged to handled when sliding in to block an effort from the edge of the box, resulting in a Sutton penalty. But keeper Blair Hamilton was on top formto save it.

The Us started to get a grip on the game and scored a goal that was as route one as it gets. Hamilton launched a kick over the top which Tibble latched on to and put it under the goalkeeper, who arguably could and should have done better with it.

A minute's silence for the Duke of Edinburgh / Picture: Joe Knight - Seaside Photography

The rest of the half followed a similar pattern with the Us on top, Hamilton routinely dealing with the constant Sutton balls over the top.

Both keepers pulled off brilliant reaction saves in goalline scrambles.

While the first half had given those watching a penalty, a goal, snow, hail and frozen fingers, the second half offered only a Sutton goal and a Us senior debut.

Sutton settled into more of a groove and seemed to figure out that launching balls in behind was not an effective strategy.

Hastings on the front foot / Picture: Joe Knight - Seaside Photography

Around the hour mark they started to put a stranglehold on the game, and with 78 minutes on the clock a well-weighted through ball found Sutton’s dangerwoman Watson, who put a shot just over Hamilton and into the net, nothing less than the Yellows deserved on the balance of play.

The Us did nearly steal it at the end courtesy of a free kick taken by Izzy Payne.

Her speculative effort was dipped and was tipped on to the post by goalkeeper McNulty and Milly Topliss just couldn’t get the required contact to convert the rebound.

It led to a corner that yielded no reward and both sides had to settle to the spoils being shared.

Hastings: Hamilton, Corrigan (Baker)((Ward)), Muggeridge, Reed, Sharp, Relf (Carmichael), Carter, Williams, Tibble, Payne, Hill (Giles)((Topliss))

* Hastings visit Pagham Ladies this Sunday.