Goalless draw frustrates Hastings United after late penalty is saved

A cool blustery day on an uneven pitch offered challenging conditions for both teams, chances were few and far between, yet both sides had a prime chance from the penalty spot repelled by alert goalkeeping.

United had the ideal opportunity to win the game after being awarded a penalty in the 95th minute, only for Ryan Worrall’s penalty to be pushed away.

Saturday 26th September, the temperature has dropped as if we’ve skipped autumn and moved directly to winter. It’s dry but the gusts are strong enough to displace a ball placed for a goal kick. An ideal day for sailing or kite flying. United are wearing their third strip of all sky-blue and include Friday’s signing Knory Scott in the starting line-up. Faversham are turned out in stark white shirts, black shorts and socks.

The ‘Lilywhites’ kick off but for the opening ten minutes it is the ‘U’s on top, the wind behind their backs. Rolling the ball around at will and winning a throw-in down the left which is flung in by Ollie Black and headed over by Gary Elphick unchallenged. United’s possession continues another ten minutes, four corners are won in quick time but come to nothing.

There’s a delay after Craig Stone is caught by a stray elbow and this disrupts United’s rhythm. Whilst there is no discernible change in tactics, the home side are suddenly on the front foot, winning three consecutive free kicks. The third is played short down the left, a low cross is pulled back and Matt Bourne is clipped in the area. With no hesitation the referee awards a penalty and there are no complaints. United’s clean sheet record is under pressure, but we have faith in goalkeeper Louis Rogers, and he doesn’t disappoint, diving low to his right to save.

As we head to half-time the wind blows stronger suggesting playing into the wind second-half will be difficult. Faversham using their local knowledge perhaps.