It's a bumper match report day as we get right up to date with the recent matches. Here's yesterday's report:
Hamworthy United 1 Brockenhurst 0
Sydenhams Premier League (Monday 27th December 2021)
United were keen to halt their mini-blip in this "six-pointer" top of the Table clash, but would face stiff opposition from their New Forest guests who were in a rich vein of form. The hosts were bolstered by the return of Jamie Beasley from injury. With both Tim Sills and Chris Senior unavailable, Ben Sullivan took the reins for United. The match started in a light wind and drizzle, both of which got progressively heavier as the match progressed. While good football was always going to be at a premium, this game still had all the ingredients to enthuse the large crowd of 224.
With only five minutes on the clock, the game was to take a big swing in the direction of the Hammers. A very high looping cross was played in along the left bye-line by Harvey Wright. The Badgers' keeper James Mayo however spilled the ball; probably distracted by the jump of Max Wilcock. However, this allowed Eddie Hodge to prod the ball into the unguarded goal and give the hosts an early lead. Brockenhurst came back strongly, and minutes later, Silvano Obeng's superb jinxing run was not matched by his finish, Shane Murphy was able to get down and gather the shot. It was against the run of play when United almost doubled their lead in the 25th minute. Mayo atoned for his earlier error, by getting a decisive foot to Wilcock's close-range stab that followed a low cross from Cam Munn. At the other end, the Brock were awarded a penalty on the half hour after a clumsy challenge by Murphy on Alex Haynes. The Brock man had been moving away from goal with the ball before turning and being brought down. Obeng's spot kick was hit hard and low to the left corner, and would have beaten most keepers. However, Murphy read the shot and pulled off a remarkable save, and even held onto the ball. The Badgers' pressure did not relent, five minutes later Obeng had another firm shot deflected over the bar by Harvey Wright. When the half time whistle came, there was no doubt United were relieved to be one goal up. This was all down to taking their opportunity when it came, coupled with some resolute defending in what was becoming more like a war-zone in the now atrocious conditions. There would still be much work to do to ensure they took something from the game, with the Brock having dominated both the possession and the territory in the first half.
H/T 1-0
The second period continued in much the same away as the first ended. The vast majority of the play was at United's end, but resolute defending throughout, in appalling conditions, meant that Murphy was not called into making any difficult saves. The Hammers did however have one good shout for a penalty turned down after a robust entanglement of legs between Cam Munn and a Brock player. When the final whistle came, the Hammers were rightly celebrating the three points after a magnificent rear-guard action in the second half. Hamworthy’s defensive record is the best in the League and today’s match showed why that is. Brockenhurst based on today's performance, will certainly be there or thereabouts at the end of the season. United are now just three points behind each of the top two, with two games in hand.
F/T 1-0
Hamworthy United: S Murphy, T Rolls, H Wright, M Buckler (D Eccott-Young 60), C Cocklin, B Walker, E Hodge, (J Lovell 70) L Francis (c), M Wilcock, C Munn, J Beasley (J Filkins 80)
Unused Subs: M Finch, C Clarke
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