Crowborough Athletic 2 - 2 Hastings United (Pens. 3-1)

The second meeting of the season between these two sides came in the Velocity Cup on a warm Tuesday evening. An enjoyable game ended in a draw and went straight to penalties with Crowborough coming out on top.

The cup tie began with an energised start from both sides. Crowborough looked to utilise their pace and played several cutting balls through the Hastings back line. Whilst Hastings looked to play across their midfield working the ball into the wide areas. Both styles were equally effective and it produced an entertaining first half.

In the 18th minute Hastings had their first major chance, a pacey ball through the centre of midfield found Mfula getting the better side of his defender. Causing Holmswood to come charging out of goal to produce a low save with his legs, with the ball deflecting off for a corner.

The following corner taken by Thompson hung in the air giving Duah the time to out muscle his marker, with the midfielder directing the ball with a headed finish into the corner of the Crowborough goal.

Whilst the first half didn’t create many opportunities there were several wonderful individual moments from both sides. Hastings’ Olasimbo was a constant threat, causing problems whenever he had the ball. His highlight was when he drove at Mayhew, cutting the ball inside and out before driving a shot Holmswood did well to parry away.

Not to be outdone Brooke also produced a show, equally proving himself to be a handful for the Hastings defenders with some clinical first touches to beat his marker and often producing great deliveries into the box which were unfortunate not to fall into the path of a striker.

Just a minute into the second half came the equaliser for Crowborough. Some excellent link up play between Vochyan and Chapman created the space for Chapman to play a well paced pass into the late arrival of Nwanosike. The midfielder had plenty of time to guide the ball with the side of his foot into the bottom corner of the goal.

The second goal for the hosts came just 4 minutes later. An attacking run from Vochyan forced the Hastings defenders to retreat. Just like the previous goal, Nwanosike timed his run from the midfield perfectly to receive the ball and once again placed the ball into the corner. The second Lampard-esque run and finish for the midfielder.

Crowborough were the better side in the second half and if they managed to find a third it would have felt like the result was certain. However against the run of play Hastings found their second of the match. Abudiore found himself with plenty of space in the Crowborough area to produce a simple side footed finish. A lapse in defensive concentration for the home side gave Hastings the opportunity back into the game.

After 90 minutes the cup match ended in a draw going straight to penalties. The penalties were a masterclass from Holmswood producing three saves. The second being the highlight, it was a well struck penalty towards the bottom right corner but Holmswood reacted lightning quick off the line and stretched his arms to parry the ball away. Penalties ended 3-1 taking Crowborough to the third round of the Velocity Cup.