HAMPTON FC 4-0 WAKE GREEN AMATEURS: THE MATCH REPORT...

 Late Hampton Brace A Little Harsh On Wake…

Hampton FC 4-0 Wake Green Amateurs

The Mowdog’s thoughts…

This encounter was well contested in truth, although most of the goal chances certainly fell to Hampton, although the 4-0 scoreline at the end, following two very late strikes by the hosts, seemed somewhat harsh on the visitors who are about to begin the new season in Midland League 3. Division 2 Hampton weren’t given an easy ride by their combative guests but in the opening period, Wake Green’s ‘keeper Nore Gabbidon made a few crucial saves and was only beaten by an own-goal. After the interval, replacement goalie Josh Whitmarsh didn’t really have any saves to make at all but he conceded three times. He was beaten by a dipping volley off the crossbar, a powerful header and a fine volley, none of which he was responsible for. 

The new Hampton pitch must be thirsting for water to help it bed in but both teams coped well enough with the baked surface and the warm evening to provide more than a little interest for the few spectators who had bothered to make the effort to attend.

MORRIS & PARKER DO THE TOSSING TO DECIDE WHO SHAVES THE REF'S BEARD...

Thanks to Hampton for listing their players and numbers for me but Wake Green resolved my problem of identification in a novel manner. I had the squad’s names written down already, so just prior to kick-off as I stood on a grassy bank, directly above the entrance to a badgers’ sett, most of the Wake players walked across towards me, looked up and told me their names and numbers. It was bizarre all round because they likely had no idea at all who I was… However, I think I was able to get most of the names and numbers correctly recorded but apologies to those guys whose names I didn’t get right, or who simply didn’t walk across to offer their identities…

Wake skipper Ben Parker did message me a few extra names today too, so thanks must also go to him…

Matt Garbett…

I hope the Hampton striker’s name is correctly spelled but he suffered mixed fortunes throughout the evening, which was crowned by a fine volleyed goal in the dying moments to complete the scoring.

He fired across the face of goal early on then before half-time saw a shot from 17 yards superbly deflected for a corner by Wake’s Jack Sturdy (if he was the one wearing 17…) I thought that Garbett was going to shoot with his left foot from the angle he was at on that occasion but somehow he used his right. His late goal stemmed from a right-footed left side centre by substitute Ciaran Lawless which dropped over the scurrying, seemingly ball-watching Wake defenders right onto Garbett’s right boot and the effort flew high into the net from 12 yards.  

The own-goal…

Probably the most inventive player on show, Cam Seivwright of Hampton had just had a powerful, low drive well saved diving left by Gabbidon but the ball flew towards the attacking right byeline. Home replacement Dan Hanson then drove the ball back across goal, where the loitering Ainsley Seivwright had positioned himself at the far stick but it was the unfortunate Wake defender Joel Cunningham who intercepted the delivery and turned it into his own net from right on the goal-line.

However, Cunningham defended really well for his team and really didn’t deserve that kind of misfortune… Goalminder Gabbidon saved twice one-on-one from Ainsley Seivwright in the opening 45 and twice Hampton central defender Connor Bird threatened with headers from set-pieces. Cam Seivwright also drove in an angled effort which the diving Gabbidon turned away to the edge of his 6 yard box but in all fairness, goal chances were uncommon occurrences throughout.

LAWLESS (16) USES HYPNOTIC POWERS TO RELIEVE A COLLEAGUE'S CRAMP...

The Wake Green offense…

The most effective visiting forward was Jordan Andrews but he was too often unsupported, despite a few smart rushes. He attempted to beat home gloveman Matt Allely from distance after the goalie had run from his goal in the first period but that was in vain. After the break, Parker could get no power in a shot from 8 yards and Allely dropped comfortably upon the ball. Ash Smith drove a free-kick from downtown straight at Allely after he himself had been fouled but really, that was it for Wake.

GARBETT, CENTRE: A FINE VOLLEY FOR GOAL 4...

The other two goals…

Cam Seivwright earned his reward for a number of creative passes when Lawless’ left-side centre was deflected on by Wake’s Ollie Dew and the ball looped onto Cam’s right boot on the 18 yard line, right side of centre. He simply volleyed it with a lob and the ball soared over the helpless Whitmarsh, clipped the underside of the crossbeam and spun just over the goal-line before spinning out of goal again into the ‘keeper’s hands… 

After failing with two earlier headers, Bird took off centrally to meet a right-side corner and the much needed goal three resulted from his leap. His downward header from a crowd bounced up and beat a defender on the goal-line who was guarding the right pole and the Hampton defender justly took the plaudits… 

Bird looked pleased but surely he should be playing on the wing? 

MORRIS & BIRD KEEP A CLOSE WATCH ON ANDREWS...

The final words…

Yes, Hampton clearly deserved to win the practice match but Wake showed enough determination, minus the penetration to suggest that they should be no pushovers in League 3. Ciaran Connaire in the Hampton midfield was noticeable for his industry and some frustration with the referee. In fact, Connaire made three fouls in eight seconds at one point but the advantage was played each time and he escaped even a wagging finger.

Andrews was lively for the visitors, Nathaniel Percival displayed a few moments of threat too and Ash Smith was robust as a replacement forward but I know that certain players were missing for the guests on the day. Home defenders Bird and skipper James Morris were forced to keep close eyes on Andrews in particular. It will be fascinating to check on Wake’s subsequent progress and I must attend a game at their place soon, which is only a few minutes away from where I live…

Best moment of the game? That has to be the cartoon incident when Gabbidon advanced from goal to catch a high ball and collided with Garbett, who fell to the harsh grass like he’d been shot…

ALBINI (2), WHO ENJOYED A DECENT MATCH, SHOWS HOW CLEVER HE IS BY STANDING ON THE PHYSIO'S SHOULDERS...

I have now seen Cadbury Athletic, Coventry Rangers, Fairfield Villa and a depleted Knowle from League 2 in pre-season, as well as Hampton but that division could well be very strong, with the likes of Kenilworth Sporting and Alcester Town also looking to challenge for the title. It could well be worth watching…

Many thanks to Hampton for the usual cordial welcome and all the best to both teams for the new season…

SQUADS:

HAMPTON:

MATT ALLELY, JASON ALBINI, MARCUS BROOKES, CONNOR BIRD, JAMES MORRIS (CAPT), CIARAN CONNAIRE, BRAD HALL, CAM SEIVWRIGHT, MATT GARBETT, AINSLEY SEIVWRIGHT, JOEL FLETCHER, JOE HUGHES, DAN HANSON, ALEX CONSIDINE, CIARAN LAWLESS, NORRIS TOBIAS.

WAKE GREEN AMATEURS:

NORE GABBIDON (GK), COLIN HUGHES, IAN WHITEHOUSE, JOEL CUNNINGHAM, MATT STEWART, JAMAL ISMAIL, GEORGE SMITH, BRAD LEDIARD, ASH SMITH, BEN PARKER (CAPT), JORDAN ANDREWS, ? REGAN, OLLIE DEW, JOSH CRAMPTON, JACK STURDY, NATHANIEL PERCIVAL, JOSH WHITMARSH (GK), ALSO A NUMBER 15.