Hashtag United 5–3 Hashtag Academy (15.05.2021)

Hashtag United 5–3 Hashtag Academy (15.05.2021) was HTU's final non-competitive fixture of 2020–21. A friendly match, it took place on 15 May 2021 at the Len Salmon Stadium in Pitsea, England.

Background
The match formed as part of HTU's Hashtag Academy series, with the men's first-team taking on a team made up of the men's series hopefuls. It was the third meeting between the men's first-team and the men's Academy team, with the Academy team winning 2–1 in 2017 and HTU winning 2–0 in 2019.

Pre-match
HTU played with largely the same squad that ended the competitive campaign, with the exceptions of new signing Bradley Marriott as well as the eventual departing trio of Tom Anderson, Samraj Gill and Joshua Osude who left the club in the weeks following. With it being episode 4 of the third series of Hashtag Academy, 17 players remained in the process at this point. Pre-kick-off, there was a minute's silence in memory of Sindy Carmichael-Brown's mother and Lloyd Griffith sung the English national anthem.

The match was livestreamed for members of HTU's YouTube channel, which preceded highlights being released on 20 May 2021; Spencer Owen was the main commentator, the co-commentators were Seb Carmichael-Brown, Lloyd Griffith, Eddy Cooper and Scott Pollock, with Lewis Preston reporting.

Summary
The Academy were awarded a penalty in the 19th minute after Jake Lindsey was fouled by Jamie Hursit, with Lindsey subsequently stepping up to score past Anthony Page in the 20th minute. In the 25th minute, HTU equalised via a tap-in from Joe Gregory. In the 41st minute, HTU took the lead through an own-goal from Ray Snares. In the 42nd minute, The Academy's Benny Fiadzomor levelled the scores to 2–2.
 * First half

In 62nd minute, Matthew Wooldridge put The Academy 3–2 ahead. George Smith equalised two minutes later following a goalkeeping error from Harrison Cole. The 79th minute saw a penalty awarded to HTU after Bryan Bontamba was penalised for handball, with Kris Newby subsequently converting the spot-kick in the 80th minute for 4–3. HTU made it 5–3 in the 83rd minute through Sam Bantick, who netted his first goal for the club.
 * Second half

Post-match
As part of the Hashtag Academy series, 8 players advanced through to episode 5 post-match - they were: Jake Lindsey, Joni Vukaj, Bryon Humbles, Rowan Dorling, Matthew Wooldridge, Joel Older, Reece Antoine-Dacosta and Liam Mulligan. Lindsey went on to win the series.