HAMWORTHY UNITED 0 NEW MILTON TOWN 2
Sydenhams Wessex Premier League (Saturday 03-10-09)
Coach Sean Bartlett took charge of the Hammers for this bottom of the league match that both teams were desperate to win. The Visitors sat one place below Hamworthy before the start of the game at the very bottom of the Wessex Premier. Hamworthy were hoping to repeat their fine win that they got back at the end of August in the away fixture, when they one 3-0. Once again United were forced to make changes to Wednesday night’s side. James Merritt was suspended for one game, and Gary Langrish was injured. Lady Luck served United another cruel blow before the kick off when Wednesday’s scorer Ryan Dovell failed a pre-match fitness test.
A strong wind and a very dry hard pitch meant that it would be difficult to play very attractive football, and so it proved. Hamworthy had the slight edge in the opening period of play, and had the first opportunity to score from a set piece in the first few minutes. Steve Llewelyn was picked out in a good position in front of goal, but unfortunately guided his header over the bar’ much to the relief of a static Town defence. Stuart Cannie also had a chance to get on the score sheet, but his low shot for the corner was well saved by Sam Webb diving to his right. It was Steve Shergold‘s turn to pull off an excellent reflex save. A cross from the right was not cleared, and found a New Milton man on the edge of the six yard box. He looked as if he must score until the Hamworthy Keeper flung himself across to palm away his powerful shot. New Milton then got on top for a short spell and the Hammers had two quick let offs in close succession. Just like the Home side however the Visitors looked very tentative in front of goal, and missed their chances.
HT 0-0
Hamworthy, now kicking with the wind hoped that the second half would prove more fruitful than the first, but this was not to be. Both teams struggled to make any sort of decent openings which resulted in very few shots on goal by either side. The game had a 0-0 result written all over it, that is until the Referee awarded New Milton what to many was thought to be a very soft penalty. Greg Horlock who had had a very good game up to that point was adjudged to have pushed a Town attacker in the back as he went for an over head kick. Shergold guessed correctly, and almost got to the penalty, but the ball found the bottom left hand corner of the net. Any hope that the goal might get the Hammers to raise their game failed, in fact it had the opposite effect. It was New Milton who were lifted, and found new confidence. They were rewarded with a well taken second goal that gave Shergold no chance, and completed a miserable afternoon for the Hammers
FT 0-2
Team: S. Shergold, K. Yelland, R. JacksonS. Llewelyn, G. Horlock, R. Dovell, C Khider , S. Cannie, M. Dancer, C. Mutch (J. Swann) T. Vavrecka, M. Crow