Sydenhams Wessex Premier League Saturday 11-04-09)
There were no complaints from the Management, Players or supporters about the result following this match against their near rivals in the league. Newport with most of their players back from injury were able to field a very strong side whereas the Hammers had seven players not available from the team that drew with Poole Town less than two weeks earlier. They did however have Steve Shergold deputising in goal for Martin Peters and welcomed back Matt Grimason from University for his first league game this season. Mark Seal promoted from the Reserves, and new signing Aaron Turner were the only two travelling Substitutes.
Play was fairly even for the first ten minutes of the game, but gradually Newport got on top and went on to dominate the rest of the half. A fierce free kick was hit straight at Steve Shergold which he could only palm down before gathering the ball at the second attempt. The Islanders then hit the angle of post and bar with a curling cross. This was followed by a whole series of goal opportunities which luckily for the Hammers were not taken either due to poor finishing, or by some last ditch defending. Steve Gilbert was on hand to clear off the line when it looked as if a Charlie Smeeton header was going in. Warren Byerley was a lone figure up front, and did very well running the line single handed. He was given very little opportunity to increase his goal tally however. In fact Hamworthy’s sole first half chance came from a Steve Gilbert header from a James Merritt long throw. This was comfortably saved by Sam Webb the Newport Keeper shortly before the break.
The interval came with the Hammers still in the game at 0-0.
The second half opened with Newport again on top, and still missing chances. Gradually Hamworthy began at last to get into the game. For the first time they began to really test the Newport defence. Following some good approach work Jim Crossin shot just wide, and Steve Gilbert brought a good save from Webb from another Merritt long throw. With seventy minutes gone and the Hammers looking that they might at least snatch a draw, Newport took the lead. Following a quick break down the left the ball was fired across the face of the goal where it was met by a powerful Darren Powell header that gave Steve Shergold no chance. Any chance United might have had of rescuing a point disappeared three minutes from time with a second goal for Newport. Steve Shergold did well to push away a shot from Tom McInnes unfortunately the ball fell into the path of Charlie Smeeton who scored from close range. The scorer did well to clear an Aaron Turner shot off the goal line, and a Warren Byerley free kick in time added on was hit straight at the keeper.
Team: S. Shergold, J. Prieur-Merritt, M. Grimasson, S. Gilbert, G. Horlock, S. Lockyer, J. Crossin (M. Seal), M. Dancer (A. Turner), S. Cannie, W. Byerley, R. Jackson

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