HAMWORTHY UNITED 1 LYMINGTON TOWN 1
Sydenhams Premier League (Wessex) Saturday 07-08-10
Both Teams struggled last season and so both were eager to get this new session off to a good start. Lymington are now under new management, and were unrecognisable from the team that the Hammers beat 3-0 in March. Hamworthy United also had several new signings in their squad. Dan Ackerman and Michael White both made a welcome return to the County ground. Aaron Corby and Liam Corby both recent signings from Swanage and Martin Lawrence once of Christchurch all played their first Wessex League game in a Hammer’s shirt. Jack Satterley an exciting young prospect for the future made his first Wessex Premier appearance on the bench.
The opening period of the game saw both teams trying to get on top, with neither side really succeeding. Dan Ackerman was the busier of the two Keepers. He did well to get down to save a low shot following a dangerous cross into the box from the far right. He then had to be alert to punch away another dangerous cross put in from the other wing. United were still doing their fair share of attacking and forced a corner from which they almost scored. The resulting kick was met by Greg Horlock whose goal bound header was well saved by Stuart Williamson the Town Keeper. He was unable to hold on to the ball and a goal mouth melee followed before it was eventually cleared to safety. The Half finished all square. It ended as it had began with both teams evenly matched with perhaps Lymington just edging the fist forty-five minutes of play.
HT 0-0
The second period began with a long spell of Hamworthy pressure. This resulted in several corners that Lymington did well to defend. Aaron Corby thought he had opened his Wessex League account when his powerful header was directed down, and the ball looked to be going in just inside the post. Stuart Williamson however again dived brilliantly to his left to push the ball away to safety. The Hammers continued to press, but in the seventy-first minute it was Lymington Town who broke away and scored. The ball was cleared out to the right, and a speculative cross dipped over the stranded Dan Ackerman and found the top far corner of the net to give the Visitors the lead. To their credit the Hammers’ heads did not go down. They continued to press for the equaliser, and it came just four minutes later. Martin Lawrence sent a tantalising cross into the six yard box which was met by a bullet header from Greg Horlock that this time gave Stuart Williams no chance. The Referees Assistant had his flag raised but following a brief discussion with the Referee the goal was given much to the relief of the Hammers.
United were now looking to win the game. A pull back on Liam Currell on the edge of the penalty box as he bore down on goal with just the Keeper to beat, saw the dismissal of the Town Centre Back and goal scorer. Both sides had their chances in the remaining few minutes of the game, but neither team could find the winner. They therefore had to settle for one point a piece at the final whistle.
FT 1-1
Hamworthy were probably the more disappointed not to have taken all three points, but it was a better start than last year and if both Teams continue to play like this they both should avoid last seasons problems. A good crowd of 132 watched a very good game.
Team: D. Ackerman, ,M. Antrobus, R. Jackson, M. White, G. Horlock, M. Crow, A,. Corby, M. Lawrence. S. Cannie, L. Currell, L. Burbidge.
Unused Subs: E. Roberts,,M. Jackson, M. Dancer, J. Toghill, J. Satterley