Hornchurch beaten – now Hastings United have a great chance of exciting season’s end

Watch more of our videos on ShotsTV.com 
and on Freeview 262 or Freely 565
Visit Shots! now
Chris Agutter hailed his Hastings United players for inflicting leaders Hornchurch’s first league defeat since mid-December.

And he said the Us’ form since their long weather-enforced break had given them a great chance of a memorable end to the season.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

United have reached the Sussex Senior Cup final and reignited their bid for an Isthmian premier play-off with two wins and two draws since suffering a series of postponements.

They’re eighth in the table and just three points off the play-off zone ahead of tomorrow’s big Sussex derby away to third-placed Horsham.

Ansu Janneh on the attack for Hastings v Hornchurch | Picture: Scott WhiteAnsu Janneh on the attack for Hastings v Hornchurch | Picture: Scott White
Ansu Janneh on the attack for Hastings v Hornchurch | Picture: Scott White

Last Saturday, after Tommie Fagg had been harshly sent off, they looked to have nabbed three points by taking a late lead at home to Chatham only to concede an injury-time equaliser.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

On Tuesday night it looked like it would end 0-0 at home to Hornchurch – only for Fagg to pop up with a late winner to spark jubilation among the vast majority of the 1,200-strong crowd.

Agutter felt the win was fully deserved: “The first half was pretty even but as the second half developed we became more and more dominant.

"We created a lot of opportunities, hit the woodwork, had efforts blocked and were delighted to get the goal.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad
United's players celebrate Tommie Fagg's late goal, which proved the winner | Picture: Scott WhiteUnited's players celebrate Tommie Fagg's late goal, which proved the winner | Picture: Scott White
United's players celebrate Tommie Fagg's late goal, which proved the winner | Picture: Scott White

"Against Hornchurch and Chatham, two top sides, we should have had six points.

"On Saturday we got ourselves 1-0 up despite being down to ten men but then were a little naive in not seeing it out. But then on Tuesday we showed we’d learned from that when we were sensible after going 1-0 up, so that is pleasing.”

Hastings are appealing against Fagg’s Saturday red card – which being his second of the season has sparked a four-match ban. Agutter said it was clear a yellow card would have sufficed in a flare-up.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The manager said: “We’ve played four games since the break and could have won all od them. We’ve given ourselves a great opportunity with plenty to play for in two competitions.”

Agutter regards tomorrow’s hosts Horsham as one of the division’s top three teams but said: “My challenge to the players is can we consistently reach the level we showed against Hornchurch? If we can we have a great chance.”