Ben Clasper's notes from the Hastings United Programme

Every now and then a matchday comes along that reminds us of why we fell in love with the club in the first place and Tuesday was one of those nights.

From hearing the fans show their support for Kimm’s friends and family on an emotional night to watching the Hamlet score a goal of such quality that it was suggested we close the ‘goal of the season’ poll in August it was the most perfect demonstration of fans and players inspiring each other to ever greater heights. That’s how football should be and it’s been missing for a while.

I’m not sure I can explain it but for some reason Tuesday had on show the best versions of every aspect of the club, the team, the fans and the ground. It was like finally capturing lightning in a bottle and I hope it strikes again and again.

One thing I can explain though is why for the second game in a row I had comments about the conduct of the players who were not in the squad and their positive engagement and enthusiastic support from the stands. Fans are an observant bunch and know to what extent the players representing the club on and off the pitch are a team fighting for each other or a group of individuals fighting for themselves. I agree with the word on the terraces that we finally appear to have a team.

However, this being football, we know the season won’t be all smiling faces watching highly-fancied teams being dispatched under glorious sunsets. There will be bad days at the office and afternoons the football gods turn their backs on us and this is clearly a tight league in which clubs are all capable of beating each other on their day but I think we have seen enough to believe we have what it takes to challenge at the top and I wouldn’t even mind betting we’ll be reopening the goal of the season competition along the way.
Enjoy the game and enjoy the ride.