HANWORTHY UNITED 1 CHRISTCHURCH 0
Sydenhams Wessex Premier League (Saturday 20-12-08)
Before the game everything pointed to the fact that this would be a very closely contested match, and so it turned out to be. Hamworthy had won seven of their previous nine league games, and their visitors had gone eight games unbeaten, so a great deal was at stake on the day. The pitch was a bit sticky on top, but other than that the playing conditions were fine.
Christchurch began the game a little bit the brighter of the two teams, and soon had Martin Peters at full stretch to save from a corner. The Hammers eased their way into the game, and play was then evenly contested with neither team getting a clear cut chance on goal. The break through came in the twenty fourth minute when following a corner Ollie Cherrett scrambled the ball home after Christchurch failed to clear their lines. United could have had a second goal soon after when Stuart Cannie was found on the left hand side of the six yard box. He picked out Warren Byerley who shot from close range, but the ball struck Keeper Stewart Kearns who was stood in the right place at the right time to prevent the goal. Hamworthy at this point were slightly on top of a typical local derby, and looked the stronger of the two teams, but the score still remained 1-0 at the break.
The close contest continued in the second half with chances few, and far between. Graham Kemp made changes to two of his front runners, Gareth Barnes and Paul Rideout were both replaced after having a disappointing first half. His team did come more into the game after this, but it was the Hammers who almost scored again. A Stuart Cannie cross again found top goal scorer Warren Byerley with just the Keeper to beat. Byerley headed powerfully goalwards, and was already celebrating when Stewart Kearns made a brilliant save to deny him the goal. Christchurch had a couple of chances towards the end of the game, but these were well dealt with by Martin Peters to ensure his side a well deserved victory.
Team: M.Peters, M. Crow, S. Lockyer, O. Cherrett (Capt), M. White, S. Gilbert, R. McCabe, M. Dancer, S. Cannie (R. Jackson), W. Byerley, R. Dovell. Unused Subs: Greg Horlock, M. Claremont. T. Vavrecka.