PRE-SEASON FRIENDLY
MONDAY 24th JULY 2017
HAMWORTHY REC 1 VERWOOD TOWN 2

The kick off at 18.30 hrs was too early for many but we did manage to have 17 available.

The team to kick off .. Horton Head Gilham Kimber Anderton Grant Dyer Richardson Hall Vining Swann.

In waiting … Webber Barrett Setters Smith M Robinson Meyer

Jack Swann's cloning of Jack Wiltshire continued when after 20 minutes he 'rolled' his ankle and had to come off. Joe Meyer went one for one and within a couple of minutes hit a 20 yarder from the corner of the box to give us our first goal of the season. 1-0.

Hamworthy's goal was well worked and well taken but we were soon our toes and pressed forward.. 1-1.

Ten minutes later excellent work by Dyer resulted in a deep cross and there was Meyer again to climb higher than defender's to power a header past a stranded keeper. 2-1.

Hall's industry and good feet won a tussle on the right and a good run and cross should have finished up in the net but a long and stretched defender's leg diverted it for a corner. The keeper did well to hold the ball under pressure from Meyer.

Kimber picked up pace and linking with Richardson split Hamworthy's defence with an angled pass. Vining raced in and a shot on target was well taken by the keeper. A long drop ball found a runner and a volley from the edge of the box was well taken by Horton.

The game see sawed but we had the edge on play but couldn't grab a third.

Richardson worked an opening for Dyer and Dyer's chip into the 6 yard box almost found Vining but a goalkeeping fist thumped the ball clear.

Gilham's fierce tackle with 15 minutes left was judged a foul and the resultant free kick dropped into the box but Grant was first in to head clear. Anderton's experience showed when another break by the home team almost found a way through but Anderton's anticipation was spot on and a cool pass wide left sent away Matt Head. A break down the right and Head floated an inch perfect ball for Meyer to try for his hat trick. Defenders got in the way. In swept Kimber to hammer a left foot shot over the bar.

Half Time 2-1

5 minutes into the second half and substitutions took place with Matt Gilham making way for Jamie Webber and Harry Grant coming off to give Martin Smith a run.

We continued to edge possession and Webber benefitted from an Anderton line ball to cut in and run at the defence. A low ball across the edge of the area reached Vining but the keeper flicked the ball wide for a corner. A half clearance on the edge of the box gave Dyer an opportunity but the ball again cleared the crossbar.

On 57 minutes Luke Hall gave way for Jim Setters. 5 minutes later on came Jamie Robinson for George Richardson.

Vining broke free with 20 minutes left and was disappointed to hit the keeper with a low volley.

For some inexplicable reason we eased off. There was no tiredness just half pace. Hamworthy sensed the change and pushed us back.

Anderton and Smith did well to win an aerial battle and Horton saved blushes with great diving save from an edge of the box effort.

A couple of corners were given away but Smith cleared one and Horton caught the other under the bar.

Kimber and Head proved their undoubted versatility playing in the full back spots keeping their opposite numbers under control.

Setters had settled into the midfield role and helped stifle an industrious couple of forwards.

Zach Barrett came on with 13 minutes left with Joe Meyer making way.

In the dying minutes Jamie Webber went past his marker a delivered a good cross on the edge of the box. Vining's left foot put it over the bar.

Result 2-1