Pope pops up to earn Hastings United vital win at Three Bridges

The home side opened the scoring after seven minutes through Noel Leighton’s excellent strike, but the same player was ordered off the pitch just five minutes later following a wild challenge on Tom Chalmers. Despite the majority of possession it took until the stroke of half-time for United to find an equaliser, Jack Dixon drilling home following Pope’s pass. The second-half continued in the same manner with the ‘U’s piling forward only to find the Bridges up for the fight. Just as it looked like the home side would hold out for a draw, up popped Pope to nod home Dave Martin’s corner and win the game.

How it unfolded....

Saturday 20th November, a day of grey cloud with a touch a mizzle in the air. The pitch looks in good condition albeit a visit from a lawnmower wouldn’t go a miss. Centre-half Finn O’Mara, on a month’s loan from Folkstone Invicta, goes straight into the starting line-up alongside Craig Stone. United continue in their changed kit of sky-blue shirts and socks with white shorts. The Bridges meanwhile are in amber shirts with black shorts and socks.

From the U’s kick off the tackles begin flying in and United win an early freekick which is sent wide to Martin. His cross is met by the head of O’Mara, but he’s under pressure and is off target. That would have been some start for him in a United shirt. Dixon and Kane Penn then play their way out from their own half and Pope frees Chalmers who shoots from the angle. The Bridges goalkeeper makes a fine save and there’s no United playing following in allowing the ball to be cleared.

This positive start is undone by two minutes of attrition. Neither side keeps control of the ball but twice in succession the ball ends up in a shooting position for the home team. The first falls to Brannon O’Neill 25-yards out and he shoots straight at Louise Rogers. Moments later a second chance gives Leighton the opportunity to run at the United defence and he strikes a 20-yard left-footer into the top corner. Deadlock broken, and in some style.

United are immediately on the attack and Stone’s shot from a corner is deflected narrowly over. They are then given the upper-hand with the departure of the Three Bridges goal scorer. Leighton has already gone toe-to-toe with O’Mara, then a series of tackles in midfield is halted by Leighton’s shocking challenge on Chalmers. Wild and high. He doesn’t just blot his copybook, he douses it in fuel and sets it alight. There’s no mitigation and the referee has little choice but to gives his red card an early outing.

Despite the man advantage and monopolising the ball, there’s no immediate response from United. Three Bridges set themselves up with five across the midfield and a back-four, so they’re conceding possession but are otherwise looking comfortable. A series of United crosses are repelled before the first opening arrives on the half-hour. Dixon and Penn combine down the right and the fullback’s cross reaches Knory Scott in the area. Scott’s first shot is blocked and his second flies a foot over the bar.