I travelled out after work on a bright September evening to drive my little car down the A21 to Hastings, to watch a friendly fixture arranged between Hastings United, of the Isthmian Premier League and Havant & Waterlooville, of the National League South.

The Pilot Field is a beautiful old ground, dilapidated in parts but with huge character. Plans are afoot for a new home for Hastings United but for now their ground accommodated regularly over 1000 fans for each game, in a big covered (Steve Smith Stand) standing terrace behind the goal at one end, mirrored by a smaller version (Cole Warren Stand) at the opposite end. Alongside the pitch is the steel, glass and concrete structure forming the main Grandstand. The ground also boasts a clubhouse, grass pitch, refreshment and merchandise stand, as well as a programme stand. Even for tonight’s friendly there was a decent crowd of 305 people in attendance.

Hastings United sit currently fifth in the table, although they would have welcomed the friendly, as a chance to break a run of three consecutive defeats, to Lewes and Potters Bar in the league, as well as National League South’s Dover Athletic in the FA Cup qualifying rounds. Attendances at the Pilot Field have been consistently at the 1000 mark this season and the crowds have enjoyed goals from Femi Akinwande (7) and Davide Rodari (3) to light up the opening two months of the season. New manager and ex Dulwich Hamlet and Margate man, Paul Barnes will have been pleased with the start that Hastings have made this season, however will want to push for the Premier Division title as the season progresses.

Havant & Waterlooville have made a tricky start to the season, sitting bottom of the National League South with just 5 points from their opening ten fixtures. Their one win of the season thus far, came against second placed Yeovil Town and goals have been scarce. Manager James Collins was sacked this month with ex-Dartford manager, Steve King, taking the hotseat.

The game opened up with Havant & Waterlooville playing some entertaining and attacking football. On 16 minutes their number 7 fired the ball into the the roof of the net from just inside the Hastings United area to put the away side 0-1 ahead.

In the 38th minute, after relentless Havant & Waterlooville pressure the score was 0-2. A goalmouth scramble left the ball breaking free before a Havant & Waterlooville forward slammed the ball home, from close range.

At the half time whistle, the sides went in with Havant & Waterlooville sporting a two goal away lead over Hastings United. It was very hard at the break, to see how Hastings would fight their way back into the game.

In the 48th minute Havant & Waterlooville were three goals ahead, when a persistent run from the right winger saw the ball hit home.

Within one minute it was 0-4 when a long range shot flew into the Hastings goal, fooling Arthur LeBlond in the home team’s goal, as well as my filming, for the goal of the night.

In the 50th minute it was 0-5 with the visitors scoring after a fine run down the left side of the Hastings United area.

Havant & Waterlooville made it 0-6 on 60 minutes with a volleyed finish from a corner., as Hastings United began to realise they may have overstretched with the young team they’d pushed into this friendly fixture.

In the 73rd minute Hastings United were awarded a penalty which Davide Rodari converted to restore some pride and make it 1-6.

The goal of the night came two minutes later when a long ball was volleyed in one movement by Havant & Waterlooville’s right winger to make it 1-7.

At the full time whistle, it was the visitors who would have felt the friendly fixture had reset their season. Havant & Waterlooville had played some slick, passing and assertive football. The heavy scoreline was a fair reflection of the possession the visitors had throughout the game.