HAMWORTHY UNITED 4 BEMERTON HEATH HARLEQUINS 3
Sydenhams Wessex League Premier Division Sat (22-12-07)
After surrendering a two goal lead it took a gift goal from the Harlequins keeper to hand the Hammers all three points. United were without five of the team that faced Wimborne on Wednesday night including Captain Nathan Walker, so this result really was a bonus for them.
Hamworthy United opened the stronger of the two teams, and the Bemerton Heath defence were soon having difficulties in dealing with the pace of Ryan Dovell, and Mark Connet, the Hammer’s makeshift front runners. Dovell just shot wide after beating the offside trap. Keeper Darren Crowfoot then palmed away a shot towards the advancing Ryan Middleton who just failed to connect, and score. The Harlequins scored from their first attack of any note after fifteen minutes. The Hammers lost the ball in mid field, and then failed to clear the cross. This allowed Dan Sullivan the time to pick his spot and find the net for Bemerton. United took only six minutes to get level when Crowfoot once again palmed out a free kick, but this time straight to Ryan Middleton who made no mistake with a fine strike. With still only twenty for minutes gone Bret Williams rose above everybody to head home a corner to give United the lead. Ryan Middleton scored his second on the half hour. This time he got on the end of a cross into the six yard box before firing home and making it 3-1. Just as it looked as though the Hammers were well in control of the match, Bemerton were awarded a penalty for handball. Martin Peters saved the spot kick, but unfortunately could not prevent the penalty taker Carl Jones converting the rebound. The score remained 3-2 at the interval.
The Harlequins raised their game after the interval playing some good passing football. It was from one of these flowing moves that they drew level with Dan Sullivan once again beating Peters to bring things back to parity. Hamworthy could have surrendered at this point , but to their credit gradually got back into the game. When Hamworthy’s winner came six minutes from time it was somewhat bizarre. Darrell Williams on for Steve Legg had turned his back on the Bemerton Keeper following a Hamworthy attack that had come to nothing. For some reason the keeper hurried his clearance, and hit Darrell in the back. The ball rebounded off Darrell and into the empty net for the winner.
Team: M. Peters, R. Middleton, R. Jackson,B. Williams, G. Horlock, M. Dean, S. Legg (D. Williams), M. Hubbard, R. Dovell, M. Connet, A. Marsh (J. Byrne) Unused Sub: J. Swann