Introduction to the blog...

Hi, my name's Toby Wildgoose. I'm a 21 year old who's obsessed by sport, so much so, that I am looking to become a sports journalist/media officer in later life.

I've set up this blog not only so that I can improve and refine my writing skills, but also to provide a platform for potential employers to view my work.

I have already developed a small portfolio of my work, with my experience in the industry including: written match reports for junior football teams, published work at numerous EFL clubs in a variety of formats, and work experience placements at Chesterfield FC and Rotherham United Community Sports Trust - to see my full portfolio click here: http://goo.gl/VWws3H.

I hope to post as often as possible on this blog about anything that is sport related. Please find the time to read any of my posts.

Any comments or suggestions on how I can improve the blog would be greatly appreciated, and I would also be happy to receive any other suggestions for work experience. Please comment on here, email me (tobywildgoose@gmail.com), or even tweet me (@TobyWildgoose). Cheers!

Start Date: 11/12/12 (Aged 15)

Thursday 13 December 2012

FA Cup: Hastings United 1 - 1 Harrogate Town (aet) - Hastings win 5-4 on penalties

Hastings United and Harrogate Town would meet for their second-round replay in front of a record home crowd, at the Pilot Field Stadium. Harrogate Town sat one league above their opponents, currently in 14th place in the Conference North. The Arrows however, sat 17th in the Ryman League Premier Division. For a semi-professional team, at the level they are, Hastings United have a rather impressive stadium with a maximum capacity of 4,050 and there was no doubt that it would be sold out for the evening. A third-round tie, against high flying Championship outfit Middlesborough, awaited the winners of the replay.

Hastings had the more positive start of the two sides and on numerous occasions went close to gaining the lead. However, Harrogate stayed strong and went into the break all square. This good work was undone however, as a soft penalty was given against Harrogate just a minute into the second-half. Matt Bloomer brought down Zac Attwood and the referee quickly pointed to the spot. Lee Carey then stepped up to calmly slot the penalty home and give Hastings a 1-0 lead.

The Arrows then dominated the rest of the game and bravely defended up until the 90th minute, when their defence was finally broken. A left-footed corner was whipped in by Harrogate's number three, Dave Merris. The 'keeper then pushed the ball into the feet of Tom Platt who calmly volleyed the ball into the back of he net to send the Harrogate coaching staff into ecstasy and take the tie to extra-time.

The game then went to penalties after the two sides couldn't be separated by an extra half an hour of play. The first two penalties were confidently slotted home however Harrogate missed their second spot-kick and Hastings seized the initiative to take a 2-1 lead. Then, with the score at 4-4, Hastings had the chance to win the shoot-out, however Danny Ellis skied his penalty over the crossbar. This meant that Lee Elam would have the chance to bring Harrogate back into contention in the shoot-out but he also sent his penalty high over the cross bar. Once again, Hastings had the chance to win and this time Dee Okojie struck the ball into the top left corner of the net to send Hastings' fans into raptures. They will now face Middlesborough away, in round three of the FA Cup.

Final Score: Hastings United 1-1 Harrogate Town (aet) - Hastings win 5-4 on penalties.
Attendance: 4,028

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