WESSEX LEAGUE PREMIER DIVISION
TUESDAY 25TH MARCH 2014
HAMWORTHY UNITED 3 VERWOOD TOWN 0

Four latecomers because of work, but, we had a full squad. A few changes but everyone ready for the challenge.

Dan Saxby and Charlie Gajic put their heads together to decide team and formation. The bench was boosted by Ray Stroud's rush to make the game following the Ressies game cancellation.

We made a good start moving the ball accurately down the left. Hill jinked his way past a sliding tackle and a low cross was diverted goalwards by Lovell. A defensive block prevented the shot doing damage and the clearance gave opportunity for a counter attack.

Molyneaux and Evans closed down danger but Evans long ball was intercepted and a quick break down the left opened us up for a one on one. Lynch won it making a good save at feet.

Hampton took the ball clear from a midfield tussle and a raking ball found Elysee on the right. Elysee cut inside the full back and tried an angled shot from the edge of the box. The ball finished up in Blandford Road.

24 minutes and Hamworthy's pressure paid off with a corner forced from a Lynch flick over the bar. In it came and we gave total freedom for an unchallenged header to hit the back of the net. 0-1.

28 minutes, an attack was broken up by Hampton and Dyer. Dyer fed the ball back to Lynch. Lynch spotted LSP in space and a great pass released LSP's legs to make their way to the edge of Hamworthy's box. A left foot shot was still rising as the game finished.

We were making good progress through the game but had no cutting edge.

Gajic working alongside Molyneaux blocked one central attack and then headed a dangerous cross out for a corner. An inswinger was thumped away by Lynch.

38 minutes we had a brief spell of possession and LSP hit another shot over the bar followed by Lovell's volley that went wide.

Hamworthy almost made it 2-0 with a run down the left but it was an Evans boot that blocked any activity that might have been needed by Lynch.

The half finished with Hill trying a volley but yet again watched his shot drift over the bar.

Half Time 1-0

30 seconds had elapsed when we gifted a free run on goal and a good finish made it 2-0. Unbelievable.

We hit back. Hill's cross was screwed wide by Dyer. The goal kick dropped close to the edge of our area. Molyneaux won the heading battle and Dyer again took up the running. Hampton linked in and then Elysee went free. Elysee's cross from the bye line was diverted by Lovell but the keeper went untroubled.

Back came Hamworthy. Lynch caught one cross into the box and then Molyneaux made a superb tackle on the touch line.

We tailed off. Passing became a chore. It was as if Hamworthy suddenly had 22 on the pitch. Possession belonged to the home side.

Lovell dropped back to help defence and was instrumental in getting the ball away from danger. Good interchange with LSP and Hampton took Lovell clear and briefly we had hopes that the break would reduce the scoreline. Good tracking back stopped our attack on the edge of the box.

Our passing quality remained problematical. It was gift night.

Hampton's input after a long spell of absence from the game was at full stretch. 66 minutes Carl Foster came on for Ross in a one for one change.

Hampton was attached quickly to the oxygen tank to make ready for Saturday's game against Fareham.

We rallied. Foster Saxby and Evans worked through the middle. Evans then went wide for a return ball. A break down the right, a deep cross and Hill powered a header just over the bar.

Evans broke again and tried a shot himself. Defenders were heavy in the box so it was a simple clearance.

82 minutes we suffered from pushing too far up. A run down the left in a wide open area left an open goal. Lynch tried desperately to close the gap but a well placed ball made it 3-0.

85 minutes Elysee gave way for Satterley.

We had a late push on goal to reduce the deficit but Hamworthy's defence was solid and we couldn't make impact.

Result 3-0.

Report submitted by Bernard Scott