BROCKENHURST F.C. 3 HAMWORTHY UNITED 1
Sydenhams Wessex League Premier Division (Monday 25-08-08)
Phil Simkins made several changes to the team that lost to Romsey in the last game. One of these changes saw Mark Claremont make his first Wessex League start as one of the main strikers along side Warren Byerley. This game was lost in the first twenty five minutes when the shell shocked Hammers found themselves three goals down,
The game was just two minutes old when Brockenhurst scored from their first attack. Tom Jeffes wrong footed Steve Gilbert on the right hand side of the penalty area before cutting inside, and shooting past, and across the stationery Martin Peters. The lead was doubled shortly afterwards when Kevin James was found out on the far left wing. His speculative cross come centre looped over Martin Peters, and into the top right hand corner of the net to make it 2-0 to the Badgers, with still less than ten minutes gone. Phil Simkin made positional changes to the back four, and at last Hamworthy looked a bit more comfortable in their play. They should have pulled a goal back when following some good inter-passing; Max Crow was left with the goal at his mercy. He looked as if he must score, but unfortunately somehow shot wide. This miss was to prove very costly to United. In the very next attack the ball was crossed into the six yard box from the far right. Max Crow who had done well to get back and cover, jumped with an opponent in an effort to clear. Once again luck was not really with Max as neither player managed to get a direct header, and the ball dropped at the feet of Kevin James who made sure from close range. The rest of the half was played out with Hamworthy being much more in the game, but still unable to pull a goal back before the break.
Half time saw the experienced Stuart Cannie on for Mark Claremont to add a bit of strength up front. The Hammers were now looking much better, and were on top for most of the second half. United deservedly pulled a goal back midway through the half through top scorer Warren Byerley. Following some good work by Stuart Cannie, Warren struck the ball hard, and low just inside the post to give Brockenhurst’s new keeper Max Frampton no chance. Hamworthy strived hard to get a second goal which would really have put them back in the game. This was not to be however, and Brockenhurst ran out worthy winners at the end thanks mainly due to that twenty five minute nightmare start by the Hammers.
United must now put these last two defeats behind them, and get back to the type of football that they were successful with only a week, or two ago.
Team: M. Peters, M.Crow, M. Grimason, Oliver Cherrett (M. Dancer), N. Walker, S. Gilbert, R. McCabe (T. Constable), R. Dovell, M. Claremont (S. Cannie), R. Jackson. Unused Sub M. Dean