BEMERTON HEATH HARLEQUINS 1 HAMWORTHY UNITED 1
Sydenhams Premier League (Wessex) Monday 29-08-11
The Hammers travelled to Salisbury with a somewhat depleted team for a match against the Harlequins who are one of the favourites to win the league. The result therefore says a lot for the courage and tenacity shown by the Hamworthy players on show. They were battered for most of the second half as they tried to hold on to a one goal lead, and the Home side threw everything at them bar the kitchen sink. They almost succeeded, but finally conceded a late equalizer six minutes from the end of normal time. Sam Lockyer was still on holiday, Lliam Currell was not available, and Dianne Bassiriki had not recovered from the twisted knee received when he over celebrated his goal on Saturday. Dan Spencer and Jack Slattery were also still recovering from injuries. Matt Head was given his first Wessex Premier start, and the not fully fit Stuart Cannie who has only just returned from a long lay off also began the game.
The Hammers were a little slow to get into their stride playing on a perfect playing surface, and it was the Harlequins who had the better of the opening exchanges. Hamworthy did gradually get into the game and Luke Burbidge went close on a couple of occasions. Bemerton still had slightly the better of things, and their front two looked very sharp, and a real handful when they received the ball. To their credit the United defence did well to restrict their goal attempts to a minimum. Perhaps slightly against the run of play it was the Hammers who took the lead from a set piece. A cross to the edge of the six yard box was met by Dan Haysom with a looping header that took it over the stranded Bemerton Keeper, and into the roof of the net. United still created a few chances of their own, but it was mainly Bemerton that had the edge, but they still could not turn that advantage into goals.
HT 0-1
Bemerton came out in the second half determined to get back into the game, throwing men forward at every opportunity. This was to be the pattern of the game for the whole of the second half, but some good defending and an element of good luck frustrated the Salisbury men for most of the time. The Harlequins did get the ball into the net, but Shane Murphy was clearly fouled as he jumped to collect the ball the ball and the Referee who had a clear view rightly disallowed the goal. There was also a shout for a penalty from most of the Bemerton players and their supporter as one of there men went down when tackled in the box. Once more the Match Official who again had a clear view and his Assistant who had an even better view could see no infringement. As the game neared its end Bemertom became even more desperate, and were often guilty of wasting their chances. In deed the Hammers would break out of defence every so often and create a few chances of there own. It was from one of these that a last ditch tackle prevented Luke Burbidge from putting Hammers two up, and the game beyond Bemerton. Harlequins did get there deserved equaliser with six minutes of normal time remaining with an unstoppable diving header in the six yard box, much to the disappointment of an overworked and tired Hamworthy defence. The Harlequins now spent the remaining time, plus the time added looking for a winner, but the United hung on to take home a very hard earned away point.
Team: S. Murphy, K. Yelland, D. Hasom, G. Horlock, M. White,W. Robinson, M.Head (M. Antrobus), S. Lanahan, L. Burbidge, S. Cannie D. Pidgley (J. Byron)
Unused Subs: L. Wilkins, S. Lillington (GK)