HAMWORTHY UNITED 0 HAMBLE ASSC 0
Sydenhams Wessex League Premier Division (Sat 01-03-08)
The Hammers were unable to take full advantage of near rivals Brockenhurst’s surprise defeat at Ringwood the night before this game. Hamworthy could only manage a goalless draw after having the better of the few chances created in this game. To be fair Hamble are now a much better team since the New Year. They have lost just two of their last eleven matches. The two matches that they lost were against title contenders Wimborne Town, and Poole Town. Hamble were trying to complete the double over Hamworthy after beating United on their home ground only three weeks earlier.
The visitors started much the better of the two teams, and soon had the Hammers on the back foot. Martin Peters had to be very alert to make a very good save in the first few minutes. This was probably his most difficult save in the whole game. Hamble could not sustain their early pressure, and gradually Hamworthy got there own game going to even out the play. Both teams were using the long ball to clear any danger, and with both defences being on top, goal chances were very few, and far between. United’s best chance came shortly before half time when a great goal bound shot from outside the box by Ryan Dovell was tipped over at full stretch by keeper Dean Beal. From the resulting corner the Hamble defence looked ruffled for the first time in the game. They struggled to clear their lines which resulted in a desperate goal mouth scramble. Hamworthy were unable to take advantage however, and so the score remained 0-0 at the break.
Hamworthy always had the slight edge in the second half, but only really looked dangerous at set pieces. Hamble did get the ball into the net, but the Referee had already blown the whistle for pushing, and awarded the Hammers a free kick. Hamworthy’s best chance of the half came when Warren Byerley was found one on one with the keeper. Dean Beal came quickly out and smothered the ball before the United man could get his shot away. Phil Simkin brought on Jack Swann and Lee Thomas, but try as they may they could not break down a very solid defence. Hamworthy had much more of the play towards the end of the game, but never really looked like turning that advantage into goals. They could therefore not really complain at the 0-0 score line at the final whistle.
The one point gained from this match did however put United up into seventh place in the league, and so well on target for a top ten finish,
Team: M. Peters, J. Byrne, M. Hubbard, S. Golbert, N. Walker, M. Dean. S. Legg (J. Swann), R. Middleton. R. Dovell, W. Byerley (l. Thomas), R. Jackson. Unused Subs C. Mutch, G. Horlock, M. Macdonald.