Hastings eventually got the win that, coupled with a loss for Ashford at VCD, sent them back to the top of the league, but they were made to work hard by a well organised Whitstable team. The first half was a tight affair and neither goalkeeper had a serious save to make. The home team’s best efforts were a Sam Adams free kick that went over the bar and a shot by James Pool, which was blocked by a Whitstable defence that was relatively untroubled by the slow, measured approach of their opponents, although the pace of Daniel Ajakaiye and Lanre Azeez was always a potential threat when they did venture forward. Tijan Jadama went closest for Whitstable, but was just unable to connect properly when he ghosted into the box to meet a Liam King cross. Whitstable began the second half purposefully and their travelling supporters started to dream of a notable victory when Ollie Rowe powered home a header from a corner. Hastings turned things around when they were awarded two penalties and both were dispatched by Ben Pope. Whitstable may have felt a little hard done by, although continued working to find an equaliser, but Hastings managed to see the game out with few alarms.

Hastings came into this game with a great home record of 12 wins and a draw from 14 games and only Ashford left with maximum points. Whitstable enjoyed a good run early in 2020, but since drawing with Ramsgate on 8th February, poor weather has resulted in the 1-0 loss at VCD being their only league match since. Three headed goals secured Hastings a 3-1 win when the teams met at the Belmont in early December. Hastings fielded the same team that had won at Burgess Hill in midweek. Liam King started for his first league game for Whitstable on the left and Charles Etumnu was given a place in midfield. There was a minute’s applause before the game as the players, officials and the big 721 crowd remembered Joe White, a former Hastings player and manager, who sadly passed away recently.

It was a fine afternoon, but the pitch was understandably on the soft side after the heavy rain during the week. Most of the early action was on the far side of the ground from the main stand as Whitstable tried to push forward down their right, but there was little to trouble the goalkeepers. Hastings won the first corner in the 13th minute and then a foul around 25 yards out gave Adams an opportunity, but his free kick went harmlessly over the bar. Pope then tried a long range effort that was also too high. Jadama won the ball in midfield, before driving forward and hitting a low shot that went just past the post. In the 22nd minute, a promising build up on the left saw King deliver a cross that was met by the well-timed run of Jadama who found himself with just the goalkeeper to beat, but he did not have enough time to control the ball, which bounced off him and went over the top. At the other end, James Brown made a great saving tackle to deny Daniel Ajakaiye after a quick break.

On 30 minutes, Whitstable just managed to clear a dangerous Ajakaiye cross and when the ball was played back into the area, a low strike by Pool was blocked. John Ufuah and Aaron Millbank both had attempts without being able to test Louis Rogers in the home goal. As the interval approached, a long throw by Ollie Black was hooked over the bar by Adams, who then curled another effort well wide after being set up by Ajakaiye. Dan Eason was finally called upon to make a save from a close range header in the 45th minute, but it was irrelevant as the offside flag had already been raised. The teams went in after a fairly even half with the score still 0-0.

Whitstable made a change at the start of the second half, as Harry Stannard came on to replace King. Black sent a couple of long throws into the Whitstable box that were dealt with by the assured pairing of Rowe and Tom Bryant. In the 49th minute, two former Hastings players combined to put Whitstable 1-0 ahead, as Stannard swung over a corner and Rowe rose above the defence to head past Rogers. This encouraged the team in yellow to press forward and look for another goal and Adams was booked for a foul on Jadama, then a good one-two released Luke Girt who shot wide. Etumnu was next to win a free kick, just outside the box, but Whitstable failed to make it count. Hastings managed to regroup and Pope hit a free kick into the wall. In the 63rd minute, an Adams corner was headed out to the edge of the box where Stannard and Azeez challenged for the ball and when the latter went down the referee awarded a penalty, to the surprise of the Whitstable players. Pope stepped up and although Eason got his hand to the ball, it ended up in the net and the home team were back in the game.

Hastings introduced Jack Dixon, who took the armband from Adams, before Ufuah shot over from a tight angle. Hastings won their second penalty in the 73rd minute following a good run by Azeez, who went down when tackled in the box. The referee initially seemed to let play continue before deciding to point to the spot again and this time Pope left Eason wrong-footed and Hastings were in front. Just as Whitstable had scored with their first effort on target, the two penalties were the first two such efforts for Hastings! Ajakaiye and Pope then had weak shots saved by Eason and the impressive Jake Elliott ballooned one over the bar. Pool and Adam Lovatt were both cautioned for poor challenges, but Pope appeared a little unfortunate to be booked for diving when he seemed to lose his footing in the box after breaking clear. Whitstable had a few late opportunities to put the ball into the box, but were unable to find a way through the home defence. There was just time for substitute Kenny Pogue to collect his team’s fifth yellow card, for time wasting, before the final whistle confirmed Hastings had returned to pole position with ten games remaining.

Whitstable return to the Belmont for a home game against third placed Whitehawk on Saturday.

Hastings	Data	Whitstable
4	Shots on target	1
6	Shots off target	5
2	Shots blocked	2
5	Corners	4
16	Fouls conceded	9
2	Offside	2
2	Penalties	0

Hastings United
Louis Rogers, Ollie Black, Gary Elphick, Craig Stone, Jake Elliott, Daniel Ajakaiye (Sam Beale 85), Ben Pope (Kenny Pogue 90), Sam Adams (c) (Jack Dixon 69), James Pool, Adam Lovatt, Lanre Azeez.
Subs (unused): Warren Mfula, Tom Chalmers.
Goals: Ben Pope pen 63, pen 73.
Yellow cards: Sam Adams 50, James Pool 80, Adam Lovatt 84, Ben Pope 89, Kenny Pogue 90+3.

Whitstable Town
Dan Eason, Jake Mackenzie, James Brown, Luke Girt, Ollie Rowe, Tom Bryant (c), John Ufuah, Tijan Jadama, Aaron Millbank, Charles Etumnu (Marshall Wratten 81), Liam King (Harry Stannard 46).
Subs (unused): Jay Hards, Ifeanyi David.
Goal: Ollie Rowe 49

Attendance: 721
Referee: John Pike
Assistants: Jamie Wells & Mark Gidman