United beaten by Guernsey

Hastings United midfielder Tom Vickers forced a couple of saves out of Guernsey goalkeeper Chris Tardif

The U’s conceded a scruffy goal in either half to succumb 2-0 away to Guernsey, ending their nine-match unbeaten run in Ryman Football League Division One South.

The first half was a fairly even affair with few clearcut chances at either end until Guernsey, who won 3-2 in an FA Cup tie at The Pilot Field in September, made the breakthrough in the second minute of added time.

Dave Rihoy went past three United defenders on a fine run before laying the ball off to Matt Loaring, whose first time shot struck the base of the far post. United were unable to clear their lines in the subsequent scramble and Dom Heaume eventually slammed the ball home.

Heaume had earlier failed to make telling contact with a shot from an inviting position. United’s best moment of the opening period came when Tom Vickers saw a low shot saved after good battling from Sean Kelly, while Bailo Camara made a brilliant run into the home box but couldn’t connect properly with his shot.

United began the second half well. Ronnie Dolan had a shot blocked by Angus Mackay after Guernsey goalkeeper Chris Tardif had difficulty dealing with Camara’s cross, while Jamie Dodd nodded the ball off the line after a Guernsey head diverted the resulting corner goalwards.

Tardif made a good stop low to his right from a Vickers shot before Guernsey doubled their lead in the 61st minute. Rihoy’s deflected effort clipped the top of the crossbar and the resulting corner taken by Glyn Dyer squirmed its way in at the near post with Marc McGrath claiming the goal.

Although Trevor McCreadie had a decent strike from outside the area beaten out by Tardif and an Adams free kick was palmed away by the goalkeeper, United never really looked like getting back into the match thereafter.

At the other end, a left-foot shot by Dodd was well saved by Pelling at his near post and right at the death the United goalkeeper saved bravely at the feet of Tom De La Mare. It was United’s third league loss of the season and all of them have been by a 2-0 scoreline away from home.

United: Pelling, Hare, Gilbert (Woodley 77), Olorunda, Judge, Kelly, Vickers, Dolan (Darby 67), McCreadie, Adams, Camara (Ellis 67). Sub not used: Slocombe. Attendance: 963.