Following a morale-boosting road win against Carshalton Athletic, the Bay had hoped that they could further build upon those three points with a positive result against Enfield Town.

However, a Jake Cass double, either side of Adam Cunnington’s special strike, saw the Bay defeated, dealing a blow to the Bay’s hopes of avoiding the drop.

The visitors took the lead after 21 minutes when Jake Cass fired home from close range, after the Bay were unable to clear their lines.

Barrington stepped up to the spot to fire Kevin Watson’s side level less than ten minutes later, after Jerson Dos Santos was tripped inside the penalty area.

Adam Cunnington’s impressive second half strike forced the Towners ahead with just over 77 minutes on the clock.

And Cass put the game beyond doubt right at the death with an emphatically taken spot kick of his own, boosting Enfield’s play-off hopes while laying a blow to the Bay’s hopes of survival.

The Opposition

The present Hastings United Football Club appears to have existed continuously since 1901 having undergone three changes of name. The origins of the club began with the founding of old town side Rock-A-Nore in 1894; however, five years later they became defunct but in 1901 a new club started-up using the same name.

Saturday’s visitors won the East Sussex League Championship in 1907/08 and were to be amongst the foremost local sides regularly winning trophies until World War One called a halt to proceedings.

After rejecting ideas of turning professional but having failed to gain admission to the Athenian or Isthmian Leagues, the club joined Eastbourne in the Southern Amateur League who accepted them but only in Division Two which they won at the first attempt in season 1927/28. Promoted, the club made a sensational entry to the top division playing their opening league game at Wembley Stadium, the home for one season of Ealing Association, where they lost 0-1.

In 1952 the club became founder members of Division Two of the Sussex County League, however, the transition was a huge step for which the club was not prepared and in the first three seasons they finished bottom of the division. Eventually in season 1959/60 the club finished as runners-up but with only the top side eligible for promotion they remained in Division Two for 20 years.

In June, 1985 the club ceased trading when it was found they could no longer sustain their accumulated debts. Hastings Town made application to takeover their Southern League place but Witney objected as United’s demise had saved them from relegation from the Premier Division and, instead, Town were offered a place in the League’s Southern Division.

Season 1998/99 saw an attempt to transfer to the Isthmian League refused but having resigned from the Southern League they were only accepted back as new entrants and started season 1999/2000 in the Eastern Division which they won in 2002. At this time the club acquired the company name Hastings United and since have played under that title.

A poor league season in 2012/13 saw the club relegated from the Ryman League Premier Division. There was considerable cup success, however. An FA Cup run saw United reach the third round proper before losing 4-1 away to Championship side Middlesbrough. They also reached the semi-finals of the League Cup, losing away to Concord Rangers, and the Sussex Senior Cup when they lost 1-0 to Bognor Regis Town.

Alongside ourselves, Hastings United were promoted to the Isthmian League Premier Division, having won the IL South-East title last season, with the Bay winning the play-off final.

Opposition so far

Currently, our hosts on Saturday have had an impressive Isthmian League Premier Division campaign, sitting ninth after 17 wins, eight draws, and 11 losses from the 36 league games that they have played, scoring 49 goals but conceding 34 for a goal difference of +15.

In their last outing against play-off chasing Canvey Island, Hastings fell to a 3-1 defeat, despite taking the lead through Craig Stone in the 31st minute.

Key Players

Sam Adams (Midfielder)
David Smith (Forward)
Alex Brefo (Defender)

Last time we met

The last time we hosted Hastings United at the MBS Stadium was on October 22, 2023, at the MBS Stadium. On that occasion, goals from Kane Penn, Alex Brefo, and Sam Adams condemned Herne Bay to a 3-0 defeat.