HAMWORTHY UNITED 4 BRADING TOWN 0
Sydenhams Wessex Premier League (Saturday 16-01-2010)
A win was vital for both teams who sat perilously close to the relegation positions in the league before this game. Hamworthy for the first time for a long time had most of their squad available, but were still without Richard Jackson and James Merritt who were both suspended. The drainage system once again paid dividends following some heavy rain overnight, and the late morning.
Hamworthy started the stronger of the two teams and soon had Brading on the back foot. Joe Toggle had an early chance when he broke into the six yard box in the first minute, but was unable to find the net. The Hammers dominance paid dividends when they did take the lead from the corner with eleven minutes gone. The cross found Greg Horlock unmarked on the edge of the six yard box. He took full advantage of his freedom to drive the ball past Oliver Buckett and make it 1-0 to the Home side. Brading gradually got into the game, and play became a lot more even until just before half time, when Hamworhy scored twice in three minutes. As United broke out of defence, a good through ball picked out Jack Swann who cleverly turned, and beat his man. He then carried the ball a further twenty yards before drawing out the Keeper, and slipping it past him into an empty net. Jack Swann was again put through a minute later, but this time his effort hit the Town crossbar. Hamworthy’s second goal was superbly well taken; their third in the last minute of the half was as good, if not better. Stuart Cannie and Phil Diaper exchanged passes right through the middle of the Brading defence, before Diaper completed the move with a shot that gave Buckett no chance.
HT 3-0
Following a half time roasting from Steve Brougham the Islanders did their best to repair the damage done in the first half, but try as they may they did not really force Steve Shergold into having to make a difficult save. Their best chances came from set pieces, but a well organised United defence dealt comfortably with these. Just as in the first half the Hammers came back strongly in the last ten minutes of the game when they pressed hard for a fourth goal. They went close with a free kick awarded just outside the penalty box when many thought the offence had been committed inside. Hamworthy were not to be denied however when Stuart Cannie scored five minutes from time to complete a fine individual and Team performance. This still allowed enough time for United to go close on two further occasions before the final whistle.
FT 4-0
Team: S, Shergold, M. Antrobus, S. Browne, G. Horlock, S, Llewelyn (Capt), M. Crow, L. Diaper (K. Yelland), J. Barron, J. Swann (M. Dancer}, S. Cannie ( L. Mekchiche), J. Toghill.