FAREHAM TOWN 1 HAMWORTHY UNITED 1
Sydenhams Wessex Premier League (Saturday 12-12-09)
Hamworthy’s good away record continued with a well earned point away to high fliers Fareham Town. Once again Simon Browne was forced to make changes with Stuart Cannie Max Crow and Carl Mutch all unavailable for selection. He was however able to choose new signing Lee Diaper, who has joined United from Bournemouth Poppies, and played in mid-field.
The pitch was very heavy and both sets of players found it difficult to turn, with or without the ball. The match never the less was very enjoyable, even though both keepers were not called into action that much. Hamworthy’s first attack ended in them winning a corner which was taken by Jamie Barron. His cross was deflected to Joe Toghill who unfortunately was unable to get any penetration on his shot, and came to nothing. Dave Shergold at the other end had no difficulty in getting down and saving from Fareham’s first attack. A good move down the right saw a quick one two between Karl Yelland and Lee Diaper. Diaper crossed low to Larbi Mekchiche who was just off target with his shot that hit the side netting. Fareham were awarded a free kick in a dangerous position just outside the penalty box, after James Merritt had somewhat harshly been adjudged to have handled. Justice was done however when the free kick was hit straight at the wall before being cleared. The Hammers went close to taking the lead just on half time when Yelland’s twenty yard shot went just past the post. This followed a good passing move between Mark Dancer and Diaper.
HT 0-0
Fareham opened up the second half the stronger of the two teams. They should have scored when a dangerous cross into the box was not finished off by a Town attacker closing in. They did however take the lead in the sixty first minute with a somewhat controversial goal. A through ball breached the Hamwotrthy defence, and was picked up by a Fareham Player who appeared to be standing in a well offside position with only the Keeper in front of him. With no whistle forthcoming he gave Steve Shergold no chance to save, and scored to give the Home side the lead. With Fareham beginning to become more dominant Simon Browne changed things round. He brought on new three new faces Jack Swann, Ollie Cherrett, and Ryan Rule and went three at the back. This soon paid dividends when United upped their game, and equalised nine minutes from the end of play. Dancer, Yelland, and Barron all combined in a good passing movement before Barron put Jack Swann through. He kept his cool to calmly slot the ball past the Keeper and bring Hamworthy back on level terms. It was not all over yet however Fareham almost scored with the last kick of the match when they hit the bar. This resulted in a goal mouth scramble, and Steve Shergold had to make an unbelievable save from what looked a certain goal before the ball was finally cleared, and United could claim the point they so richly deserved after a good all round team performance.
Team : S. Shergold, K. Yelland, R. Jackson, G. Horlock, (S. LLewelyn(Capt), L. Diaper (O. Cherret), J. Barron, J. Merritt, M. Dancer, L. Mekchiche (J. Swann) J. Toghill (R. Rule)