HBFC U16 4
Hastings United 3

Today, we faced Hastings United at Home, one of the teams fighting for a top 4 finish alongside ourselves.

We had lost on the road to them last month, going 2 goals ahead only to concede 3 in the last 10 minutes. However, we were missing 5-6 key players.

We started on the front foot, and Barnaby was unlucky not to score when his effort from 18 yards out was saved well by their keeper.

Hastings United took the lead 8 mins in after we failed to clear a corner, and it was met by the Hastings player at the back post to covert from close range.

A few minutes later, Hastings got a second after some poor defending to make it 2 nil to the visitors.

30 mins in, we pulled a goal back after a cross from Ethan was taken down well by Jack, who turned and volleyed the ball into the top corner from 15 yards out.

The boys ended the half stronger growing into the game, 1-2 half time.

A few minutes into the 2nd half, It looked like the boys were back in the game when Jack smashed a loose ball into the net from close range only for the linesman to flag him offside.

Against the run of play, Hastings scored again to make it 1-3 after some sloppy defending.

We instantly responded after a great corner from Juliani was met by Barnaby at the back post, rising above everyone and headed well into the top corner 2-3.

The boys completed the comeback again from another corner. Jack finding space in the 6 yard box and converting his header to draw us level 3-3.

A few minutes later Zac came close after Juliani struck the crossbar, the ball fell to Zac, whose effort was blazed over the bar with the goal gaping.

With only a few mins left Zac was involved again, playing a great ball through to Juliani, (who loves scoring last minute winners).
Juliani broke free and calmly slotting past the keeper 4-3.

What a come back from the boys.

Hastings came close late on from a free kick, Will was forced to make a double save to seal the 3 points.

The boys made hard work of that today, but got the important 3 points, which sends us 2nd in the league.

This was our last home match of the season with only one home defeat against the recently crowned champions Faversham Town FC, after being promoted into the South Division, the boys should be proud of this achievement.