HAMWORTHY UNITED 1 ALTON TOWN 1
Sydenhams Wessex Premier League (Sat 11-10-08)
Hamworthy were left still waiting for their first win in the league at the County Ground this season, in this their fourth home game. The Hammers were still unable to transfer their cup form to a league match. Alton had played five more games than United and was still one place behind them in the league. Phil Simkin had almost a full squad available for selection, and was able to name striker Tom Jeffes recently transferred from Brockenhurst in his team.
The Hammers were much the better team in the first quarter dominating most of the play, and should have taken the lead in the first minute. The normally reliable Warren Byerley had the goal at his mercy when he headed the ball down onto the ground, and over the bar from close range. Hamworthy began to get more and more frustrated as they failed to convert their chances into goals, and allowed Alton more into the game as they grew in confidence. United went behind to a soft goal in the 32nd minute when they failed to cut out a cross from the right, and allowed the smallest man on the pitch to head home. The Hammers were unlucky not to be back on level terms when new man Tom Jeffes headed against the post with the Alton Keeper beaten. The “Hamworthy striker curse” struck again when Tom collided with the post as he followed through, and was unable to take any further part in the match. The score remained 1-0 to Alton at the break.
The second half proved to be a much more even contest as Alton raised their game, and became much more of an attacking force in the second period. Hamworthy continued to create chances, but often these were hurried and from a distance that gave Marc Cole the Town keeper no real problems. United’s best chance for an equaliser followed a good cross into the box from substitute Mark Claremont. Warren Byerley lunged, but just failed to connect with the ball, and guide it into an empty net. The equaliser finally came when Warren Byerley was brought down in the box as he threatened to score. He was made to wait some time before being allowed to take the spot kick as the Referee spoke to some of the Alton players. The Hammer’s top scorer made no mistake however as he confidently struck the ball home. Alton went close with a couple of efforts of their own as they tried to regain the lead, and the Hammers were reduced to ten men. Richard Jackson was somewhat harshly sent off for a second yellow card offence near the end of the game which ended all square at 1-1.
The result was probably right over the ninety minutes with neither team able to convert their chances. The disappointing thing for United is that they know that they are capable of much better things, as they have proved away from the County Ground already this season, and this display was not good enough.
Team: M. Peters, S. Gilbert, R. Jackson, O. Cherrett, N. Walker (cpt), M. Crowe (J. Cole), R. Constable, M. Dancer, T. Jeffes (M. Claremont), W. Byerley, S. Cannie. Unused Subs R. Dovell, G. Clarke.