HAMWORTHY UNITED 0 VTFC 2
Pre-Season Friendly Tuesday 28-07-09
VT newly promoted from the Wessex League into the Southern League South & West brought a full strength squad with them to the County Ground. The only notable exception was star striker Paul Sales who is still recovering from an injury that may keep him sidelined for some time.
The Hammers were much the busier of the two teams in the first quarter of the game, and VT were kept in their own half for most of that time. The first real goal scoring opportunity fell to Ryan Dovell after fourteen minutes, but following a good move and cross his goal bound header was comfortably saved by Lee Webber. The Southern League side upped their game as the half progressed, and had a few good chances of their own. Their best effort rebounded off the post with United keeper Steve Shergold routed to the spot. The interval arrived with neither side being able to get on the goal sheet following a fairly evenly contested, and entertaining first forty five minutes.
HT 0-0
Following changes to both sides the start of the second half was a complete reversal to that of the first. This time it was VT who were quickest off the mark, and it was United who were now penned back deep in their own half. Under such pressure it was only a matter of time before a goal came. Warren Hunt who had been closely marked by Greg Horlock all game at last slipped his man and sent a clever chip over Steve Shergold to make it 1-0 toVT. The Visitors scored a second goal soon afterwards with a well struck low shot into the corner of the net that gave Shergold no. To their credit the Hammers did not give up and once again came back into the game. Another header from Ryan Dovell went close, but was once again well covered by the VT Keeper. The game finished with no further goals being scored, and with both Managers fairly pleased with their Team’s performances. The main difference once again between the two sides was the clinical finishing that the VT strikers are able to offer.