HAMBLE ASSC 1 HAMWORTHY UNITED 2
Sydenhams Premier League (Wessex) Saturday 30-10-10
The Hammers were fresh on the back of a very good away win at Christchurch, and were very soon pressing lowly placed Hamble. Despite their league position, Hamble had experienced a good
run in the FA Cup, and were not to be taken lightly. It was difficult to remember that the Hammers were in orange and black, and not the almost identical maroon & sky blue worn by the home team.
Hamworthy took the game to Hamble for almost the first 15 minutes. Headed efforts from Aaron Corby and Dan Haysom put the Hamble goal under pressure though not forcing a save from the home keeper. Ex-Hammer Jamie Barron was clearly keen to get one over on his ex-teammates and it was Jamie who went close after quarter of an hour. He was given space for a shot, but he sent it over the bar from the edge of the box. This was a clear warning that it was not going to be an easy game. It was United however who opened the scoring on 22 minutes, and it was no more than they deserved. A forward pass down the left hand side was held up well by Jack Swann, despite the close attentions of a defender. He fed the ball back to Richard Jackson who found the lively Perry Mullins. Perry cut inside and looked like he had opened a shooting opportunity for himself, but he slipped the ball through the advancing defence to an unmarked Max Crow, who had beaten the offside trap. Crow’s touch was superb as he lifted the ball over the advancing keeper for the first goal. A beauty. Hammers 1-0. United appeared to be able to move the ball very well, but a poor free kick allowed Hamble to break. It was only the intervention of Ackerman in the Hammer’s goal that thwarted Jamie Barron from getting the equaliser. On 20 minutes, a long diagonal ball from left to right from Dan Haysom, found Perry Mullins unmarked, but his shot was sliced past the upright. This was missed opportunity to really stamp the Hammers authority on the game. Other good chances came and went in a Hamworthy dominated first half. Aaron Corby’s great vision had the home keeper scrambling from 35yards, after an audacious chip. Max Crow almost added to his goal tally, with a rifling shot that just missed the upright shortly before the break. Hamworthy missed a wonderful chance to double their lead, when Corby threaded a superb ball through the defence, releasing Luke Burbidge on goal. He took his shot early, but despite beating the advancing keeper, he just missed the far post. Were these missed chances going to come back to haunt Hamworthy ?
Half Time : Hamble ASSC 0 -1 Hamworthy United
From the re-start, the Hammers immediately surrendered possession, and Ackerman had to make a good stop. United seemed to be ruffled as a series of corners and sustained pressure made them look uncomfortable. They were prevented by Hamble from getting back into any sort of rhythm. They were however able to keep their goal intact and managed a sharp counter-attack. Burbidge, again fed by Corby, forced a good save for a corner, but, they could not press the advantage. Hamble seemed to gain more control of the game, and it was no surprise on 57 minutes when they equalised. A needless free kick was given away on the left side of the Hammers defence. Jamie Barron delivered one of his ‘driven’ free kicks into the Hammer’s box which was not properly cleared. The ball came in from the right, to find a whole line of unmarked Hamble forwards. This was easy header for Jamie Musselwhite to take, with Ackerman left stranded to level the score 1 – 1. This really rattled the Hammers and they appeared to lose their composure and discipline. Hamble pressed forward as they could now sense a victory. In fact a second goal was only averted from a corner, when Richard Jackson headed off the line with the keeper beaten. Hamworthy finally got to grips with themselves with 25 minutes to go. A great move down the right between Murray and Mullins released Burbidge in on goal. His low shot brought another fine save from the home keeper; but, his best save was yet to come. Another right hand cross into the Hamble box found the unmarked Aaron Corby. His glancing header to the far post looked as if it was on its way into the net. The keeper somehow, diving full length to his right, got his fingers behind the ball that had already gone past him, and flicked it up and out of the goal. The rebound was rushed and was wasted over the top. A better save you won’t see in the league this season. Both teams clearly felt the result was up for grabs and it was so nearly Hamble that grabbed a second goal. A break from the home sidefound 2 on 2 and despite going past the last defender, Musselwhite pulled his shot wide.This was real let off for the Hammers. How ironic then that the next and last attack from Hamworthy created what was to be the winning goal. Good work down the right from Burbidge and Robinson saw the ball driven across the penalty area at ankle height. The home keeper went to ground and parried it out in to the box, only for the advancing Richard Jackson to smash in the winner. 1 - 2 Hammers. Another good away win which consolidated Hamworthy’s 6th place in the league table, but they will clearly need to be more ruthless with their chances in the future.
Team: Ackerman, Murray, R Jackson, Horlock, White, Haysom, Crow,Corby, Swann (Cannie 67), Burbidge, Mullins (Robinson 88) Unused subs: Roberts (GK), Antrobus, Satterley