Bemerton Heath Harlequins 1 - 1 Hamworthy United
Wessex Premier League - Saturday 25th August 2007
A season of extremes from wind and rain to one of the hottest days of the year set the scene for this fixture. The condition of the pitch was a credit to this level of football but the poor attendance did little to create any sort of atmosphere. Hamworthy kicked off and were fast out of the blocks sprinting at a pace that seemed silly given the hot conditions.
During the first 25 minutes chances were created at both ends but the football on show was of poor quality. High long balls with very little passing and distribution especially in midfield did little to excite any neutral observer. The best chance of a goal came from Bemerton after 26 minutes due to their patient passing build up that ended with the ball going the wrong side of the post from a good cross into the box.
A frantic repost from a lofted through ball found the head of Hammers Captain Nathan Walker with his effort skimming over the cross bar on the half hour.
Both sides lacked any creative midfield flare with no one able to orchestrate a calm or influential system of play. Striker Warren Byerley the pick of the Hammers bunch taking on a dual role of playmaker and target man!
His ability to hold the ball up, lay it off and then make deep runs were wasted by his team mates lack of organisation or ability. A little bit of patient play did result in Dan Baguely hitting the upright of the Bemerton goal on 44 minutes.
Half - time - Bemerton HH 0 - 0 Hammers
Bemerton set a different tone for this second period with ex-hammers man Marcus Oldbury raising the confidence level of his team mates with control in midfield.His experienced instinct of reading the game was a joy to watch that bellied his years and showed the away side how it should be done.His effort and combination link up run took him into the hammers box where he was stopped and brought down. The spot kick was never an issue with the move sealed with his goal on the hour.
The game was changing rapidly in favour of the Home side because the visitors had, NO MIDFIELD CREATION to call on, and nothing in the dugout locker able to match the exchanges. Richard Jackson was replaced by Carl Mutch that resulted in a 4-3-3 formation being employed.
As Bemerton continued their entertaining flare, the Hammers constructed their best move with a good pass inside from Steve Gilbert that found Mickey Hubbard in acres of space just outside of the home side’s area. His well hit strike found the back of the net to bring the scores level on 68 minutes.
Marcus Oldbury rallied the call and they just failed to retake the lead on 70 minutes.
The hardworking Baguely won a difficult ball just outside the Bemerton area as the pace hotted up but his pass to the unmarked Hubbard resulted in his shot going well wide on 73 minutes.
A frantic last 17 minutes saw chances created at both ends but at least 4 chances of winning the game fell to Hamworthy from free kicks, goal line clearance, missed shots and perhaps a degree of bad luck.
Added time for stoppages gave Bemerton a couple of chances of collecting all 3 points but they were denied by the last man effort of young central defender Gregg Horlock. Playing his first full game for the first team, this talented former U’18’s Cup winning Captain of 2006/7 was outstanding in this big step-up.Warren Byerley’s contribution the only other positive in a poor display from other experienced players that continue to fall short of pre-season expectations.
As one travelling supporter summed up after the match, ‘you have to take your chances when they come if you are going to win football matches’.
With a Home game against Bournemouth Poppies next - on Wednesday 28th 7:45pm k.o. - ,and the F.A.Cup trip to Welland Rovers in Devon on Saturday, the next 7 days are set fare for a severe test on available options.
Final score: Bemerton Heath Harlequins 1 - 1 Hamworthy United
Team: M.Peters, S.Gilbert, N Walker(Capt), G.Horlock, R.Dovell, M.Kenway, S.Legg, M.Hubbard, W.Byerley, D.Baguely(R.Jennins) R.Jackson(C.Mutch): Unused subs;Middleton,Williams