HAMWORTHY UNITED 1 LYMINGTON TOWN 0
Sydenhams Wessex Premier League (Saturday 14-11-09)
The Hammers continued their steady progress since Simon Browne took over the managerial reins winning their fourth game on the trot against a team that they have only ever beaten once before. The win also lifted Hamworthy two more places away from the relegation zone. United’s Cup game against Portland the week before proved to be good conditioning for the gale force wind that blew the entire match, in what was to be the only Premier League game played that day. It was a credit to both Teams that they provided an entertaining ninety minutes of football in very difficult conditions.
Hamworthy began the game well with the strong wind in their faces, and settled the quicker of the two teams into their rhythm. It was Stuart Williams, who was the busier of the two keepers in the opening quarter, first pushing a Carl Mutch header round the post for a corner, and then diving to push another shot onto the crossbar, and over. The Town defence did well to block a series of shots that came in quick succession, before finally clearing their lines. Lymington did gradually up their game, and could well have taken the lead on a couple of occasions as they pressured the United defence. It was Steve Shergold’s turn to pull off a good save when an unmarked Lymington attacker was given the room just inside the box to get his shot away. The Visitors were then very unlucky when they hit the far post with Shergold left rooted to the spot, and helpless to do anything about it. The Hammers did take the lead shortly before half time when Stuart Cannie turned and rifled a low shot past the diving Williamson, and into the corner of the net. Hamworthy held on to take a well deserved lead into the break
HT 1-0
Again in the second period there was not a lot to choose between the two teams as both teams tried hard to keep the ball down and play football. Greg Horlock on for the injured Ollie Cherrett did well to recover from a slip, and block a shot from close range that looked a certain equaliser. Max Crow cut in from the right and hit a great shot that rattled the right angle between bar, and far post. Shortly afterwards Substitute Larbi Mekchiche also went very close with his effort that just brushed the outside of the post as United pressed for a second goal. Lymington had not given up however, and battled well to the final whistle, but all to no avail as they went down to the Hammers for only the second time in the nine meetings between the two Clubs.
FT 1-0
Team: S. Shergold, K. Yelland, R. Jackson, O. Cherrett (G. Horlock),S. Llewelyn (Capt),J. Merritt, M. Crow, T. Vavrecka (C. Khider), C. Mutch (L. Mekchiche) M. Dancer, S. Cannie. Unused Sub: Simon Browne