BEMERTON HEATH HARLEQUINS FC 1 HAMWORTHY UNITED FC 1
Sydenhams Wessex Premier League (Monday 16-11-09)
Hamworthy United came away from Salisbury with a hard earned point gained from a team holding third position in the League. Up until their loss in the Vase on the previous Saturday the Harlequins had won nine games on the trot in all competitions. The match was played in perfect conditions on what many consider to be the best pitch in the League.
It was Hamworthy who were quickest off the mark when Larbi Mekchiche carved his way into the box from the right. He unfortunately did not see Max Crow who was left unmarked just outside the six yard box, and shot straight at the keeper. Bemerton slowly got into their stride, and looked the more dangerous of the two sides in attack. They tested the Hamworthy defence with a series of dangerous crosses from both wings, which Steve Shergold and his defenders did well to keep out. It was not all one way, and the Hammers did their fair share of attacking playing some good passing football. Stuart Parsons the Harlequins keeper was forced to come out and handle the ball outside the area. As last man he must have been very relieved when the Referee only produce a yellow card. From the free kick the Keeper then made a good save from Stuart Cannie’s well taken free kick which was heading for the bottom corner of the net. With just over a half hour gone United were punished for not getting enough men back in time after a corner. Following a quick break out of defence Bemerton attacked down the far left. A pinpoint cross picked out another Harlequin attacker at the far post who rifled the ball past Steve Shergold to complete an excellent move. To their credit the Hammers battled on, and they could have equalised right on half time . From just a yard out and with the goal at his mercy Greg Horlock’s outstretched leg just failed to connect with a low cross.
HT 1-0
Bemerton Heath came out all fired up for the second half, and soon had Hamworthy under sustained pressure with a series of corners. Steve Shergold did extremely well from one of these to make a point blank save, and keep his side in the hunt. The Hammers were beginning to look a little tired, and Simon Browne brought on some fresh legs in the shape of new signing Joe Toghill. Gradually United worked their way back into the game and began to have some success themselves down the right hand side, with Max Crowe and Larbi Mekchiche combining well. With less than five minutes of normal time remaining Hamworthy got the eqauliser they were chasing. This followed a good move down the right where Larbi Mekchiche found the by-line before crossing the ball head high for Carl Mutch to gratefully head past the keeper. With the Referee able to find plenty of time to add on, the excitement was not yet finished. First Steve Shergold had to make another brilliant point blank save, before Steve Llewelyn headed just over the bar in Hamworthy’s final attack of the game. This was a game that a few weeks ago Hamworthy would have definitely lost, but a renewed team spirit, and some hard work rewarded them with a hard earned point they thoroughly deserved.
Team: S. Shergold, K. Yelland, R. Jackson G. Horlock, S. Llewelyn (Capt), J. Merritt, M. Crow, M. Dancer ( J. Toghill), C.Mutch, L. Mekchiche, S. Cannie. Unused Subs: T. Vavrecka, E. Roberts, S. Browne