Hawks out of FA Trophy
Hawks 1 Hastings United 2
The Hawks went out of the FA Trophy after leading at half-time. Jude Macdonald kept the same side that had earned a creditable 2-2 at the Pilot Field on Saturday, while Chris Agutter rotated his squad, with only four starters from the previous game.
The visitors had the first opening on ten minutes, but James Broadbent saved really well low down to his left from Davide Rodari. Just under ten minutes later Rodari forced Broadbent into a similar stop, this time low to his right.
Playing downhill, the Hawks gradually worked their way into the game, with Marvin Hamilton’s long throws causing some confusion in the home defence. There was a long delay just before half-time as U’s Ollie Weeks was carried off with a broken shoulder after a midfield collision with Duane Ofori-Acheampong.
Following the restart, the Hawks created some sustained pressure, with a series of corners and Kacper Lopata finally broke the deadlock from close range after Dave Martin had swung over a ball from the right. Martin then missed a good opportunity to double the lead in the 9th minute of added time, putting his left foot shot well wide.
The visitors came out in the second half playing a more offensive game and immediately had the Hawks on the back foot. Five minutes in skipper Kenny Pogue was set free down the left and his cross found the unmarked Rodari to level the scores. Although Connor Tighe had a shot saved on 64 minutes and Charles Banya looked threatening down the left, the Hawks were finding it difficult to create anything in open play. It was no real surprise when the dangerous Rodari scored again for Hastings from close range after 70 minutes, following a Jake Elliot cross. Minutes later Ofori-Acheampong was well off target with a spectacular overhead kick.
With 10 minutes to go Martin was shown a yellow for bringing down sub Leon Greig just outside the box, as he ran through on goal. The U’s surrounded the referee to urge him to show red and Martin was immediately substituted. Rodari was inches away from a hat-trick from the resultant free kick. With six minutes to go Ollie Black headed narrowly wide for the visitors.
In added time Ofori-Acheampong spooned a great chance over the bar after Alfie Rogers has set him up in front of goal from a Lucas Rodrigues cross. The final whistle then went with Ofori-Acheampong still not able to believe he had missed, signalling a 430-round trip to Weymouth in the next round for the U’s.
Hawks: Broadbent, Emberson, Banya, Kissock, Lopata, Hamilton, Muggeridge (c), Ovenden (Rogers 87), Ofori-Acheampong, Tighe, Martin (Rodrigues 80)
Unused subs: Walsh, Campbell, Deda, Torres, Unwin
U’s: Rogers, Elliott, Black, Lovatt, Hull, Weeks (Greig 45), Chalmers (Ajakaiye 73), Worrall, Rodari, Pool, Pogue (c) (Azeez 79)
Unused subs: Clarke, Pope, Dixon, Clark
Yellow cards: Martin (Hawks)
Hawks MotM: JP Kissock
Attendance: 157
Referee: Ian Fissenden