CHRISTCHURCH FC 4 HAMWORTHY UNITED 0
Sydenhams Wessex Premier League (Tuesday 22-09-09)
Hamworthy United’s disappointing start to the season continued at Hurn Bridge when they were once again well beaten after making a promising start to the game. The United line up looked a bit more optimistic with the return of Carl Much ,Max Crow, and Ollie Cherritt, but they were without Steve Llewelyn.
The Hammers started the game brightly kicking down the slope, and enjoyed the better of the early exchanges. They were awarded a free kick some thirty yards out, and to the left of the goal, after just a few minutes play. Just as he did against Bournemouth Poppies Carl Much hit a pile driver which Stewart Kern could only parry. The ball dropped at Stuart Cannie’s feet a yard off the line, and with the goal at his mercy. Any shot either side of the Keeper would have given the Hammers the lead, but the United striker hit the ball straight back at the grateful Kern to save. Many of the crowd thought that Christchuch had scored when a speculative lob appeared to drop over Steve Shergold, and into the net, but the ball had in fact gone over the bar. Play was now fairly even, but a defensive error in the twentieth minute by the United Captain led to the first goal of the game. Ollie Cherrett out on the wide left appeared to try and play the ball off his opponent for a throw in, but only succeeded in giving the ball away. The Christchurch man went clear before delivering a good cross that was easily tucked away to make it 1-0. The Hammers were unlucky not to have got back on level terms when from another free kick on the edge of the box, Stuart Langrish hit the base of the post with Kern well beaten. This let off lifted the Home team who gradually took control of the game with some good pacey football. Christchurch increased their lead from a corner when Keeper Steve Shergold failed to collect the ball, and allowed a clear scoring opportunity to the awaiting unmarked striker. This was gratefully accepted and converted with a well placed header to make it 2-0. The Hammers were now well and truly on the back foot, and a failure to clear the ball three minutes before the break gave Christchurch a third goal. This was calmly chested down by another unmarked player two yards out past the United Keeper who was left stranded.
HT 3-0
Things got even worse for Hamworthy from the first Christchurch attack of the second half. They collected a long punt forward, and picked out one of their men on the far right. He found one of three men that had sprinted into space in the box, who then ran on to score with some ease. Jack Swann replaced the injured Carl Mutch, and his pace gave the United front row a bit more to offer. Mark Dancer was able to hold the ball up better when he too was introduced to the game. The second half was now much more evenly contested and the Hammers were once again desperately unlucky not to have pulled a goal back. This followed some good passing before Stewart Kern this time saved a low goal bound shot from Cannie with his legs.. That was the end of anymore clear cut goal opportunities for either side before the final whistle. The Home side finished worthy winners at the end of the ninety minutes and Hamworthy could have few complaints. If they are to find a way of moving up the league they must find a way of taking their chances when they come, and stop giving away so many soft goals.
Team: S. Shergold, K. Yelland, S. Langrish, O. Cherrett, G. Horlock, M. Crow , R. Dovell, G. Langrish (J. Swann), C. Mutch (M. Dancer), S. Cannie, R. Jackson.