Report & highlights: Medlock nets five as Hastings hit rivals for six

Billy Medlock scores his fourth goal against Peacehaven & Telscombe. Picture courtesy Scott White

Medlock scored all of United’s first five goals before Bright Temba added a stoppage time sixth in a one-sided Ryman Football League Division One South fixture against second-bottom opposition.

On a Pilot Field pitch looking remarkably impressive considering parts of it were under water this morning, Ollie Rowe had the ball in Peacehaven’s net inside 75 seconds only to be denied by the linesman’s flag.

Jack McLean failed to connect with Medlock’s cross when invitingly placed moments later before Medlock opened his account in the 13th minute with a terrific header into the far corner of the net from Liam Wilson’s excellent left wing cross.

Medlock pulled his shot wide at the end of a good move involving Sam Cruttwell and McLean, while Sean Ray headed narrowly over from a Cruttwell corner, Peacehaven goalkeeper Ryan Burbridge pulled off a good save to deny Sam Cole and McLean missed the target with a diving header from a splendid Richard Davies cross.

United’s second goal arrived in the 39th minute. Cruttwell played a lovely ball through to McLean, who rounded Burbridge and struck the post with his shot, but the ball rebounded kindly for Medlock to tap home.

Four minutes later it was 3-0. Medlock latched on to a Davies throughball and rounded Burbridge before slotting home to complete a first half hat-trick.

Peacehaven survived a couple of scares right at the start of the second period before Medlock made it 4-0 in the 54th minute, driving the ball home on the volley at the far post from Sam Cole’s inch-perfect cross.

Medlock nearly had another three minutes later, but this time hit the crossbar from around the penalty spot following a flowing United move.

United goalkeeper Joe Taylor pulled off a good save low to his right from Ezekiel Bademosi’s angled drive in Peacehaven’s first attempt of note and the same player then stung Taylor’s palms with a firm drive from outside the box.

Josh Marshall - the only player in Peacehaven’s starting line-up who began the reverse fixture between the teams on January 2 - struck the top of United’s crossbar with a free kick from the edge of the box.

United weren’t finished, though, and Medlock bagged his fifth in the 83rd minute. Kevant Serbony released fellow substitute Tyrell Richardson-Brown down the right and his inviting cross presented Medlock with a simple close range header.

Medlock missed an open target from an acute angle before United completed the rout with a sixth goal in the second minute of added time. Temba got on the end of Cruttwell’s ball over the top, held off his marker and slotted past Burbridge.

United’s equal biggest win of the season (along with the 6-0 victory over Chipstead on the opening day) was watched by their highest crowd for a league game this term as 624 people took advantage of the ‘Easter Special’ reduced admission offer.

United remain one place outside the play-off spots, but are now only two points behind fifth-placed Worthing with five matches remaining. The game was preceded by a minute’s silence in memory of Micky Reed and Bela Olah.

United: Taylor, Davies, Wilson, Johnson, Ray, Rowe, Medlock, Cruttwell, Cole (Richardson-Brown 72), Cumming-Bart (Serbony 68), McLean (Temba 72). Subs not used: Attwood, Rose. Attendance: 624.

Ryman Division One South top 10 (played-points): 1 Folkestone Invicta 42-102, 2 Dorking Wanderers 41-81, 3 Hythe Town 42-78, 4 Faversham Town 41-76, 5 Worthing 41-75, 6 HASTINGS UNITED 41-73, 7 Corinthian-Casuals 41-70, 8 Molesey 41-70, 9 Herne Bay 41-69, 10 South Park 40-67.

Video highlights courtesy Dan Willett.

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