1066 Football
FA Cup, second round, December 12, 1953
HASTINGS UNITED 4 - SWINDON TOWN 1
THE scene at the Pilot Field on Saturday as the final whistle blew and Hastings entered the third round of the F A Cup will remain in my memory for a long time (writes the Observer Association football reporter).
A deliriously happy crowd, who had nearly yelled themselves hoarse, surged on to the pitch and mobbed the smiling United team. Squibs were thrown, crackers were set off, shoulders were patted, "Sussex by the Sea" was played on the amplifying system, and the cheers roared to a crescendo as the players walked into the dressing room.
A worthy tribute to a grand team which had given us something much better than the most optimistic could have hoped for.
Let there be no mincing of words. Swindon were outplayed, utterly and completely.
This was not a typical cup tie game where robust methods put a better football machine out of gear. It was by clever football that the United won. They were faster on the ball; made better use of it; were more determined in their tackling; their defence was steadier and their attack more pointed and more skilful than Swindon's.
I have complained before, with others, that the United would not shoot enough. They would not stop shooting on Saturday! And what shots! I don't know whether it was the sherry, oysters and other choice things which did it, but there was rocket-like force in many of their drives.
There had been enough excitement before the game began. Rattles, bells, the Hastings mascot running around the ground, the traditional Wiltshire "moonrakers" being cheered lustily as they walked in front of the crowd - all combined to produce an electric atmosphere, and as the opening whistle blew there was an expectant roar.
The fun soon started. There was a dazzling run down the left wing immediately, and then, two minutes after the start, came the United's first goal. Girling crossed a high centre and right back Hunt, trying to head away, altered the flight of the ball and put it high into his own net.
It was now up to the United to ram home this advantage, and how well they did it. After thirteen minutes Girling passed right over to Hillman. Closing in, he centred low, and Huckstepp, magnificently in position, swept the ball majestically into the net in his stride.
Better still was to come. Huckstepp took a pass from Girling and forced it through to Asher, and the United were three up with only eighteen minutes gone.
This could not go on and Swindon began to come into the game a little more. But they could make no impression at all on a tight Hastings defence, and thirty-four minutes had gone before Ball had a shot to save!
And so to the second half, with Hastings tearing away, and Parks fairly cracking in a shot that Bur- ton did well to save. Then Asher nearly had a goal, but Batchelor put the ball out for a corner.
It was now Swindon's turn for the first and last time in the game. Onslow slipped the ball through and Sampson beat both Crapper and Ball (who might well have stayed in his goal) to shoot into an empty net.
I say quite frankly that for a few minutes I was worried. The Hastings hold on the game perceptively slackened, Swindon improved and another goal could have swung things completely round. But, after twenty-five minutes, came the goal which virtually settled the issue. Girling slipped a good ball down the left wing and Hillman was there to run on to it and hit it with great decision past Burton .
I quote from manager Jack Tresadern's programme notes of December 5: "He (Burton) is suspect with low shots, so keep 'em down boys."
Two of the goals scored by Hastings players were all along the ground and looked winners all the way.
And there we are. The match was really over twenty minutes from time, and a header from Huckstepp only fell by a small margin to make the result even more decisive.
Bouquets to the whole team. The skill and speed of Girling, l)latched, with more limited opportunities, by Hillman; and between them, by Parks and Asher, neither of whom the Swindon defence could subdue; big hearted Huckstepp, whose weight and drive disturbed the visitors; the tenacity of Peacock, the icy coolness of Barr, the generalship of Griffiths, the calmness of Crapper and Thompson and, in that vital spell in the second half, the steadiness of Ball.
Yes, it was a team win. But we must really hand the biggest bouquet of all to an inspired Dickie Girling. Opposing him he had Hunt. Poor Hunt. He could never catch his quarry.
While we hand out bouquets, one for Swindon. They took their heavy defeat very sportingly.
And now for Norwich City.