2021–22 Hashtag United season (men)

**The 2021–22 season was Hashtag United's fourth season of chapter two and first in the Isthmian League - North Division. The club competed in the aforementioned league, the FA Cup, the FA Trophy, the Essex Senior Cup and the Velocity Sports Trophy.**

## Overview

### Competitions

 **Velocity Sports Trophy** | First round

*italics indicate competition still ongoing*

## Summary

### **May 2021**

HTU's first summer signing was revealed on 20 May to be centre-back Bradley Marriott, who was most recently with Spartan South Midlands League - Premier Division side Hadley. HTU reveal that they would take part in the inaugural VBET Cup on the self-governing British island of Jersey. Hosted by Combined Counties League - Premier Division South team Jersey Bulls, the pre-season tournament would also feature FC United of Manchester (Northern Premier League - Premier Division) and Cray Wanderers (Isthmian League - Premier Division). Jersey Bulls were revealed as their semi-final opponents for 10 July, with a final or third place play-off following on 11 July.

Newly-promoted Essex Senior League team White Ensign confirmed a pre-season fixture with HTU on 24 May, with the game set for 17 July at Burroughs Park in Great Wakering, England. The match would be part of White Ensign's 70th anniversary celebrations. Two days later, Basingstoke Town, of the Isthmian League - South Central Division, scheduled a home exhibition fixture with HTU for 24 July at the Winklebury Football Complex in Basingstoke, England. On 28 May, fellow Isthmian League team, though of the South East Division, Herne Bay revealed that a friendly match at home to HTU would take place on 27 July at the MBS Stadium in Herne Bay, England.

### **June 2021**

On 5 June, Frenford, of the Eastern Counties League - Division One South, announced that a home friendly with HTU was to be played at the Jack Carter Centre in Ilford, England on 6 July. HTU announced, on 7 June, the departures of three players, with reigning Hashtag Academy champion Joshua Osude (later joined National League South outfit Braintree Town) departing alongside Tom Anderson (later joined Aveley of the Isthmian League - North Division) and Samraj Gill (later joined West Essex of the Essex Senior League). On 9 June, Essex Senior League side Redbridge became the latest team to publicize a pre-season match-up with HTU, with *The Motormen* set to visit HTU at the Len Salmon Stadium in Pitsea, England on 19 July. Hours later, HTU's landlords, Isthmian League - Premier Division outfit Bowers & Pitsea, revealed that a match with *The Tags* would take place at the Len Salmon Stadium on 3 July; with Bowers & Pitsea designated as the home team. Jake Lindsey - most recently with Southern Combination League team St Francis Rangers - became the third Hashtag Academy male champion on 12 June, defeating Joni Vukaj in the final. He became the club's second off-season signing, following in the footsteps of Bradley Marriott.

14 June saw HTU confirm the already announced friendlies on their end, whilst also revealing further match-ups with Coggeshall United (home) and Binfield (away); though the latter was subject to either side's participation in the FA Cup. A further encounter, against unconfirmed opponents, was etched in for 31 July. Just over thirty minutes later, Tim Pitman confirmed his departure from HTU, having made 36 appearances (31 starts) since joining the club on 25 July 2019. He'd go on to join Essex Olympian League Premier Division team Ongar Town on 21 June, having previously played for the club as they won promotion at the end of 2020–21 on a dual registration deal. A friendly for 31 July - a date previously set aside by HTU - was announced by Chalfont St Peter of the Isthmian League - South Central Division on 20 June.

Due to the extension of COVID-19 restrictions in Great Britain, the VBET Cup pre-season tournament in Jersey - which was set to take place on 10/11 July - was postponed on 24 June until 16/17 July 2022. Shortly after, HTU, after the aforementioned postponement, set up an away meeting with fellow VBET Cup participants Cray Wanderers in the tournament's place on 10 July. The friendly with Chalfont St Peter was also publicised by HTU; despite interest from CSP's divisional rivals FC Romania for a friendly.

### **July 2021**

HTU secured a first ever victory over higher division Bowers & Pitsea, after goals from Ryan O'Rawe and Sam Bantick sealed a come-from-behind victory against their stadium landlords on 3 July. HTU made it back-to-back wins in pre-season two days after their opener, with Jay Devereux's team securing a home 3–2 victory over lower league Coggeshall United via goals from Carlos Flood, Jamie Hursit and Sam Bantick. Twenty-four hours later, HTU and Frenford, in their sixth meeting against each other, played out a 1–1 draw at the Jack Carter Centre, with George Smith's first half opener being cancelled out by a deflected effort early in the second half. HTU suffered a friendly defeat at the hands of higher division Cray Wanderers on 10 July, with the home side running out 4–1 victors. 17 July saw HTU get their third victory of pre-season with a 3–1 win over White Ensign at Burroughs Park in Great Wakering.

In their sixth pre-season fixture on 19 July, HTU came from three goals down to secure a 3–3 draw with lower division Redbridge. Sam Bantick revealed, on 24 July, that he is no longer a part of HTU. Later that day, and despite going a goal up early on through Jesse Waller Lassen, HTU fell to a 2–1 loss away to Isthmian League - South Central Division side Basingstoke Town. Due to HTU squad unavailability, the club and Herne Bay agreed to delay their pre-season friendly on 25 July from 27 July to 3 August. HTU experienced their third loss in five exhibition matches on 31 July after losing 2–0 at home to Chalfont St Peter.

### **August 2021**

On 3 August, HTU defeated Herne Bay 2–1 to claim their fourth pre-season win. HTU would then beat Binfield away from home 3–2 on 7 August to end their pre-season campaign with a victory. Kojo Apenteng, who had appeared in pre-season for HTU, announced that his had joined the club on 12 August. Stevie Hart-Sheehan, a defender from Aveley, was revealed as HTU's third new signing on 14 August. Alongside the already known incomings and outgoings, numerous other updates were issued hours after Sheehan's arrival. The futures of five Hashtag Academy players were revealed, as Joe Debell, Rowan Dorling, Joni Vukaj and Matthew Wooldridge all signed; though Byron Humbles (declined the chance to play for the reserves) departed. Carlos Flood, Harry Haysom and Kieran Southgate were promoted from the reserve team.
Nate Joseph left, while reasons were given by manager Jay Devereux for the departures of Tom Anderson and Joshua Osude; Anderson was "losing his enthusiasm for the game for us", while Osude hadn't progressed as much as Devereux and his staff had wanted.

Reece Antoine-Dacosta began pre-season with HTU, though soon left for Hullbridge Sports. The reserve team was strengthened by the arrivals of Sam Blackholly, Ali Alanezi, Kieran Simpson-Cameron, Alex Chuck and Kieran Huddart. HTU drew 1–1 with Coggeshall Town on 15 August in their first match in the Isthmian League - North Division. HTU then headed to Wodson Park on 21 August and lost 1–0 to fellow tier eight team Ware in the FA Cup preliminary round. UFL, a brand new football-based video game, were revealed on 25 August to be HTU's new men's shirt sponsor. On matchday two of the new league season, HTU were beaten 3–1 by Dereham Town on 28 August. Two days after losing for the first time in the league, HTU made it three straight defeats to end August as Brentwood Town won 3–1 on HTU's turf.

### **September 2021**

Forward Joe Gregory makes an appearance for White Ensign on 1 September, after the forward reportedly joins them on a dual registration deal. Joshua Osude completed a move back to HTU on 10 September, just over three months after his departure was announced. Though the exact nature of the deal wasn't revealed, the club did confirm that the player wasn't on loan from Braintree Town; despite Osude previously joining Tilbury on loan from Braintree. HTU were whipped 4–0 by their women's team stadium tenants Canvey Island on 11 September. HTU soon ended a five-match winless streak as they hosted and defeated Maldon & Tiptree 3–0 on 13 September. Lucozade, a brand of soft drink, renewed their sponsorship with HTU on 15 September. 18 September saw HTU make it four losses in six Isthmian League - North Division matches as Felixstowe & Walton United won 2–0 at the Len Salmon Stadium.

HTU fell to a sixth defeat in eight competitive matches in 2021–22 on 26 September as they were eliminated from the FA Trophy - on debut - at the first hurdle by fellow tier eight team Chipstead, with new signing Eli Benoit - despite no details about the transaction being released - playing the full duration. Witham Town were defeated 1–0 by HTU on 28 September, as Kris Newby made it three penalties for the season.

### **October 2021**

HTU made it three wins in four league matches on 3 October, as goals from Harry Haysom and Joe Debell secured victory at the Len Salmon Stadium against Romford. On 17 October, Heybridge Swifts visited HTU and took away all three points in a 1–2 win. HTU's third match of October saw them visit - and beat - former stadium landlords Tilbury, which preceded a friendly match away to Hertford Town of the Southern League Division One Central seven days later; in an exhibition that saw *The Tags* win 5–1, as their opponents officially opened their brand new 3G pitch.

### **November 2021**

HTU opened November with a 1-1 draw away to Hullbridge Sports on 6 November, with Kiernan Hughes-Mason netting his first league goal of the season. That result was followed by a goalless draw in the Isthmian League - North Division versus Bury Town at home on 13 November. Two days later, HTU were knocked out of the Velocity Sports Trophy at the first hurdle after defeat to Corinthian. 19 November saw HTU confirm the departures of George Smith and Kris Newby. Hours after, Luke Hirst's arrival from divisional counterparts Basildon United was confirmed. On 20 November, *The Tags* made it back-to-back goalless draws in the league after taking a point away to Stowmarket Town. HTU went five matches winless in all competitions on 27 November, as a goal from Geoffrey Okonkwo condemned them to a league defeat at home to Grays Athletic. *The Tags* returned to winning ways on 29 November against AFC Sudbury.

### **December 2021**

HTU came from 3-1 down to win 4-3 at the Len Salmon Stadium against Great Wakering Rovers on 4 December, as new signing Luke Hirst netted his first goal for the club to win the match. Later that day, the club revealed a sponsorship with ASTRO Gaming UK. On 6 December, Sam Bantick rejoined the club after a stint with Coggeshall Town; he had left during pre-season.

## Fixtures

### Friendlies

#### Pre-Season

Bowers & Pitsea  v  Hashtag United

Hashtag United  v  Coggeshall United

Frenford  v  Hashtag United

Cray Wanderers  v  Hashtag United

White Ensign  v  Hashtag United

Hashtag United  v  Redbridge

Basingstoke Town  v  Hashtag United

Hashtag United  v  Chalfont St Peter

Herne Bay  v  Hashtag United

Binfield  v  Hashtag United

Removed Matches
**VBET Cup**
Jersey Bulls  v  Hashtag United

n/a v  Hashtag United

#### Mid-Season

Hertford Town  v  Hashtag United

Hashtag United  v  May & Baker

### Isthmian League - North Division

#### Matches

Hashtag United  v  Coggeshall Town

Dereham Town  v  Hashtag United

Hashtag United  v  Brentwood Town

Canvey Island  v  Hashtag United

Hashtag United  v  Maldon & Tiptree

Hashtag United  v  Felixstowe & Walton United

Witham Town  v  Hashtag United

Hashtag United  v  Romford

Hashtag United  v  Heybridge Swifts

Tilbury  v  Hashtag United

Hullbridge Sports  v  Hashtag United

Hashtag United  v  Bury Town

Stowmarket Town  v  Hashtag United

Hashtag United  v  Grays Athletic

Hashtag United  v  AFC Sudbury

Great Wakering Rovers  v  Hashtag United

Coggeshall Town  v  Hashtag United

Hashtag United  v  Dereham Town

Hashtag United  v  Basildon United

Barking  v  Hashtag United

Hashtag United  v  Aveley

Felixstowe & Walton United  v  Hashtag United

Maldon & Tiptree  v  Hashtag United

Hashtag United  v  Witham Town

Romford  v  Hashtag United

Heybridge Swifts  v  Hashtag United

Hashtag United  v  Tilbury

AFC Sudbury  v  Hashtag United

Hashtag United  v  Hullbridge Sports

Bury Town  v  Hashtag United

Brentwood Town  v  Hashtag United

Hashtag United  v  Stowmarket Town

Hashtag United  v  Great Wakering Rovers

Grays Athletic  v  Hashtag United

Aveley  v  Hashtag United

Hashtag United  v  Barking

Basildon United  v  Hashtag United

Hashtag United  v  Canvey Island

### Essex Senior Cup

Hashtag United  v  Romford

Hashtag United  v  Heybridge Swifts

Billericay Town  v  Hashtag United

## Awards

**Note**: All statistics used for the awards are via the club's records, not our wiki's - see: HTUwiki:DataIssues.

## References

1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 "Defender Bradley Marriott is a Tag!" , 20 May 2021.
2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 "VBET CUP" .
3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 "70th Anniversary" , 24 May 2021.
4. ↑ "Pre-Season Plans" , 26 May 2021.
5. ↑ "Herne Bay FC is excited to announce the lineup of our pre-season friendlies!" , 28 May 2021.
6. ↑ "Frenford can confirm that another game has been added to 1st team pre season fixture list" , 5 June 2021.
7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 "SQUAD UPDATE" , 7 June 2021.
8. ↑ "PRE-SEASON FIXTURES ANNOUNCED" , 9 June 2021.
9. ↑ "Pre-Season Schedule!" , 9 June 2021.
10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 "HASHTAG ACADEMY S3E7: The Final!" , 12 June 2021.
11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 "THE TAGS ARE BACK (soon)!" , 14 June 2021.
12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 "All the best to @hashtagutd for next year" , 14 June 2021.
13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 "We can officially announce Tim Pitman is signing with Ongar Town full time" , 21 June 2021.
14. ↑ "A change to the schedule, we’re now playing @hashtagutd Away on Saturday 31st July" , 20 June 2021.
15. ↑ "JERSEY BULLS ANNOUNCE VBET CUP TO BE REARRANGED DUE TO COVID RESTRICTIONS" , 24 June 2021.
16. ↑ 16.0 16.1 "Sorry to say we won’t now be able to travel to @JerseyBullsFC due to Covid restrictions" , 24 June 2021.
17. ↑ "31/07 H or A ?" , 16 June 2021.
18. ↑ "A unique club who I can’t thank enough for what they’ve done for me on and off the pitch!" , 24 July 2021.
19. ↑ "Due to unforeseen circumstances, our game against @hashtagutd has been rescheduled to the 3rd of August 2021" , 25 July 2021.
20. ↑ "Buzzing to sign for @hashtagutd, bring on the season!" , 12 August 2021.
21. ↑ 21.0 21.1 "NEW SIGNING" , 14 August 2021.
22. ↑ 22.0 22.1 22.2 22.3 22.4 22.5 22.6 22.7 22.8 22.9 "NEW SIGNING REVEALED & WHY PLAYERS LEFT! - HASHTAG UNITED SQUAD UPDATE 21/22" , 14 August 2021.
23. ↑ "OUR NEW SPONSOR!" , 25 August 2021.
24. ↑ "Substitution for Ensign" , 1 September 2021.
25. ↑ "I take ir he is on dual reg?" , 15 September 2021.
26. ↑ 26.0 26.1 "So…" , 10 September 2021.
27. ↑ "No" , 10 September 2021.
28. ↑ "Signed and sealed" , 15 September 2021.
29. ↑ "10’ -" , 26 September 2021.
30. ↑ "LUKE HIRST SIGNS FOR HASHTAG" , 19 November 2021.
31. ↑ 31.0 31.1 "SAM BANTICK RE-SIGNS FOR THE TAGS!" , 6 December 2021.
32. ↑ "@AveleyFC are delighted to announce the signing of defender Tom Anderson (@TomoAnderson) for the upcoming 2021/22 season" , 10 August 2021.
33. ↑ "13’ GOAL!" , 14 August 2021.
34. ↑ "Loan Deal confirmed for Josh Osude" , 10 July 2021.
35. ↑ 35.0 35.1 "GEORGE SMITH AND KRIS NEWBY DEPART" , 18 November 2022.