PRE-SEASON FRIENDLY
TUESDAY 4TH AUGUST 2020
HAMWORTHY REC 0 VERWOOD TOWN 2

Our first friendly of the season had to be played in high heat but luckily we had a good squad all of whom got time on the park.

Nicolson was the first to test Ham Rec’s defence with a run down our left but a good cross was cleared before Butler could get a toe to it. The clearance was high and deep. Elsom won the header and found Smith free on the right. Smith’s punt cleared the way for Nicolson but again a size twelve cleared the box from his cross.

Ham Rec’s direct football helped by giving a breather every few minutes while we waited for the ball to drop. Danvers and Watkins were solid at the back forcing Ham to push more through the middle. Rose and Elsom had too much in their locker on the night to cause Cooper concern but many long distance efforts fell neatly into capable hands.

11 minutes on the clock and Evans whipped past his marker. A pass wide found Butler and a rasping shot whistled just wide.

Danvers won a clearance header and a line ball gave space for Nicolson to cut inside. A slide rule pass found Butler and a daisy cutter sped past the keeper. 1-0.

We settled into some good football and for a long spell dominated. Shots from Nicolson and Butler should have produced goals but a solid defence and an acrobatic keeper meant no further goal to half time.

Half Time 1-0.

Several changes were made at half time to give minutes.

Parslow dirtied his boots early with a good break prompted by Maddocks. The clearance was the usual up ‘n Under giving Kelly a touch.

Pressure was maintained and on 14 minutes a corner from our left was steered past the keeper for Maddocks to chalk up his first first goal of the season. 2-0.

Ham Rec pushed forward and for a short period looked like they would reduce arrears but our defence on the day held firm and frustrated HR efforts.

On he water break Butler came off for the pacey Anderton and Charlie Guy came on for Owen Nicolson.

Cooper proved his concentration hadn’t lapsed with a great save from a snap attack but as we settled with a new formation we benefitted from pre season sessions with excellent football.

Anderton went close towards the end from a Guy through ball but the score remained at 2-0 making it a good opener.

Result 2-0.