Ray strike nets marvellous win

Hastings United pulled off a tremendous 1-0 victory away to promotion hopefuls AFC Hornchurch.

Player-manager Sean Ray, pictured, headed the only goal from a Lee Carey free kick in the second half as U’s defeated top three opposition for the second successive Tuesday night.

Matt Armstrong-Ford, who made a welcome return from illness in the United goal, pulled off a fine save as Hornchurch started strongly, but United looked comfortable on the whole in reaching half time on level terms.

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Carey squandered a golden opportunity to put United ahead by rattling the crossbar with a penalty and it needed a couple more terrific stops from Armstrong-Ford to keep the game goalless.

But Ray’s 71st minute strike stunned second-placed Hornchurch and leaves United six points and two positions above the four relegation places in the Ryman Football League Premier Division.

A full report and reaction will appear in Friday’s Hastings Observer.

Standings (played-points): 1 Billericay Town 32-66, 2 AFC Hornchurch 31-63, 3 Lowestoft Town 30-58, 4 Bury Town 31-56, 5 Cray Wanderers 31-54, 6 Hendon 32-53, 7 Canvey Island 31-49, 8 Kingstonian 32-48, 9 Lewes 31-47, 10 Concord Rangers 32-46, 11 Wealdstone 29-45, 12 Met Police 28-45, 13 Margate 31-42, 14 Carshalton Athletic 31-40, 15 East Thurrock United 28-39, 16 Wingate & Finchley 31-39, 17 HASTINGS UNITED 31-36, 18 Harrow Borough 31-31, 19 Leatherhead 32-30, 20 Tooting & Mitcham United 31-26, 21 Aveley 32-21, 22 Horsham 32-14.

OTHER RESULT

Sussex County League, Division 2: BEXHILL UNITED 0 Seaford Town 0.

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