ALTON TOWN 2 HAMWORTHY UNITED 2
Sydenhams Premier League (Wessex) Saturday 13-11-10
Watching Hamworthy United these days ought to carry a health warning, as their performance against bottom of the table Alton Town was enough to make your blood pressure go through the roof. Despite the frustration of being two goals down with 20 minutes left, they managed to salvage a point, which they hardly deserved. It was quite a changed side that took the field in this fixture. The Hammers had Max Crow missing with injury, Richard Jackson was suspended, and Dan Haysom was recalled to his parent club, Southern League Wimborne Town. They did start with new signing Dave Ewen up front to partner Luke Burbidge, with Aaron Stacey still out with injury, and Liam Currell still not fully fit, though able to sit on the bench.
Alton started the game with more life and energy than the Hammers and managed the first strike at goal after only a couple of minutes. Ackerman did well to keep the ball out at the expense of a corner. However Alton scored from it, when a fine cross was delivered inside the 6 yard box. It was met with a thumping header, with the defence rooted to the spot. The Hammers replied almost immediately after when Robinson forced the home keeper to parry a shot. Luke Burbidge collected the rebound, cut
inside the defender, but his shot hit the upright and was cleared. Hamworthy raised the level of their game and forced three corners in quick succession, but could not make the pressure tell. The game was
fairly open and swung from end to end. Alton always looked threatening when they came forward, and tried to pepper the Hammers goal when given a sight of it. Great defending from Michael White, prevented what seemed to be a certain goal opportunity. United followed this with some good link up play by Spencer and Burbidge, but the cross to the far post for the unmarked Mullins was too high. Dan Spencer, returning after injury, went on one of his runs down the right, leaving the defence for dead. He was upended just outside the penalty area, but the culprit escaped any punishment from the Referee, which was surprising. The pitch was wet, and had a good covering of grass, and the Hammers always struggled with their touch, and ball control on the deck. The first touch always appeared to run a yard or so off the toe, inviting the opposition t tackle. Shortly before half-time, Greg Horlock was unfortunate not to score following a long throw-in into the box. Greg won the initial flick on, and when the ball was fed back to him on the ground, his left footed curling shot went just wide.
HT 1-0
The second half started with Alton Town showing far more energy and resolve. In fact Ackerman was called into action straight away, saving low to his right, and the last ditch intervention of Mike Antrobus prevented Alton from increasing their lead. After 55 minutes, another goal saving tackle by Michael White at the near post kept the Hammers in touch with Alton, who on this form did not look like a team at the foot of the table. Alton started to get on top, and controlled the game, but a gift from
Antrobus gave the home team a two goal advantage. Hamworthy had a free kick which was taken quickly by Antrobus. His short pass went straight to the opposition, and the subsequent through ball allowed a soft chip over the advancing Ackerman on 62 minutes. Hamworthy went through a very difficult period straight after the restart, with Alton Town literally running riot. It looked certain
that Alton would go on to score more goals and embarrass the Hammers. United had no answer to a team who appeared to be on a goal rampage. Liam Currell came off the bench to replace Perry Mullins and went straight up front. His introduction to the game had an immediate impact, as his pace and strength ruffled the home defence. Hamworthy did stem the flow of the home team by getting a goal back on 70 minutes. Luke Burbidge broke out on the right, and his superb through ball found Currell, having beaten the defender and, in on goal. His shot was stopped by the advancing keeper, however, but the ball ran loose to Dave Ewen, who scored on his Hammer’s debut. Hamworthy couldn’t sustain any more pressure or influence the game at this point, as Alton applied so much pressure.A series of saves from Ackerman, and a goal line clearance kept the score, and likely defeat, respectable.
There was to be a final twist in this match though. With the stoppage time already in the 5th minute, a Hammer’s corner from the left side fell to Greg Horlock, who smashed the ball in from close range. Hamworthy had somehow salvaged a point, as the final whistle blew shortly afterwards.
It must have felt like a defeat for Alton Town, in fact I offered to call the Hampshire Constabulary on the way home to report a robbery!
FT 2-2
Team: Ackerman, Murray, Antrobus, Horlock, White, Robinson (Swann), Corby, Spencer, Burbidge, Ewen, Mullins (Currell). Unused subs : Roberts (GK), Satterley