HAMWORTHY UNITED 0 FAREHAM TOWN 2
Sydenhams Wessex Premier League (Saturday 13-02-10)
Hamworthy’s five match unbeaten run came to an end when they went down to high flying Fareham Town. Two first half goals from far post crosses meant that United would have to make yet another second half recovery. Good defending by the Town ensured that this was never really on, and any chance of getting a point as they had in the away fixture was not going to be. Once again Simon Browne was down to the bare bones when picking the team for this game. With mounting injuries and with Captain Steve Llewelyn not available, he was again forced to name himself on the bench. United did however welcome back Steve Gilbert for one week only before he transfers to Wimborne next week.
Hamworthy were once again slow to get going, and were soon under pressure from the much quicker Town front men. Fareham took the lead after only three minutes from what at best could only be called a speculative cross. Max Frampton appeared to misjudge the flight of the high looping ball into the box, and could only watch as it went over his head. Graham Lindsey unmarked at the far post had the simple job of heading it down, and into the net to put the Visitors in front. A penalty appeal for handball by some Town player was quite rightly turned down by the Referee. The offending United defender had no chance of avoiding the ball as it was hit straight at him from close range. The Hammers gradually got into the game, and almost got the equaliser when Jamie Barron’s shot went just wide with the Keeper beaten. The same player hit another goal bound thunderbolt of a shot from close to the penalty spot, but the Town central defender bravely put his body in the way to avert the danger. With just five minutes of the half remaining, and with Hamworthy now playing with a lot more confidence, they conceded a second goal. Another quick break up the right resulted in a cross to the far post. Mike Antrobus appeared to have it covered, but he mistimed his jump, and that allowed the ball to go over him. The ball was chested down by Dave Birmingham before smashing it home with his left foot to double Fareham’s lead.
HT 0-2
In recent games United have left their best performances for the second half, and it would have certainly required something special to get anything from this game. Jack Swann slipped as he took the ball into the box, and was shown the only yellow card of the game for diving even though he never actually appealed for a penalty. The Hammers more than held their own in the second half, but a well drilled Fareham defence made sure that any attempts on goal were few and far between. The majority of the play was in mid-field for most of the second half as the Town protected their first half lead. With time running out, and United pushing up to get something from the game, they were nearly made to pay again. If Max Frampton was in anyway to blame for the first goal he more than made up for it with two brilliant last ditch saves in the last two minutes from Gary Austin.
FT 0-2
Team: M. Frampton, M. Antrobus, R. Jackson (S. Browne), G. Horlock, S. Gilbert, M. Crow, L. Diaper J. Barron, J. Swann S. M. Dancer, J. Toghill (M Jackson). Unused Sub R. Rule