Match Report Tuesday 25th August
Hythe & Dibden 0 - 0 Sherborne Town FC
Wessex League
Hythe & Dibden 0 Sherborne Town 0
My fourth trip to Claypits Lane to watch the Zebras (two wins and a draw so far) but it didn't start well. The Dusty Barrel micropub in Hythe was closed, contrary to what was indicated on their website. The Lord Nelson, while serving rank beer, did at least offer a nice vista across Southampton Water. Sadly, though, no sighting of a hovercraft whose inventor Sir Christopher Cockerell lived and died in Hythe. They never did catch on.
Now on to Clayfields and, as predicted by Sherborne Statto on X feed, the latest encounter between these two sides was a tight affair that ended in stalemate.
In between the sticks for Hythe was Nick Harvey who, viewed from behind goal, looked a dead ringer for Harry Potter's sidekick Ron Weasley. Indeed, exhibiting all his skills from the Quidditch field, the former Gryffindor keeper was to have a great game.
After an initial eagerness from both teams Zebras launched the first meaningful attack, forcing Wayne O'Dell to concede a corner. Then Ollie Crisp combined with Jake Graziano whose left-wing cross was seized by Harvey. When Alex Murphy reached the byline, his cut-back intended for Ant Herrin was also grabbed by the gloveman. That was to be the story of the match, the final ball lacking quality and accuracy.
Zebras, though, continued in an attacking groove. On 16 minutes from a corner won by Aaron White, Murphy headed wide.
At the other end, following a free-kick, the hosts saw a fierce drive deflected over the cross-bar.
Then on 22 minutes there was controversy when home full-back Sam Boon, under pressure from Murphy, fell on the ball, handling it in the process. The culprit had already been booked and should have received a second yellow, only for referee Warner to err on the side of leniency. The free-kick, once again, was whipped in too close to Harvey. Murphy vented his frustration by kicking the goal-frame.
Three minutes later Hythe responded with a rapid incursion down the left, culminating in a low shot safely gathered by Jack Marshall. There was an early change from the home bench as No 11 Dom Cupid trudged off. Cupid had apparently shot his bolt.
Hythe enjoyed a good spell around the half-hour mark, winning three corners in quick succession. Marshall was tested after one long-throw routine but that was the best of their output in a fragmented first half.
After Hythe's Marcel Laptas had been cautioned, Herrin's through-ball released Murphy but the striker's attempted lob failed to clear Harvey, who was enjoying more catching practice.
The first period ended with Murphy redirecting a free-kick onto a post. Herrin knocked home the rebound but the 'goal' was ruled out by a linesman's flag.
Half-time 0-0.
Zebras began the second offering much more of a threat than their hosts. On 51 minutes Joe Crisp ran through the Hythe backline before firing a low shot which was heading for the bottom corner. That was until Harvey spread himself sufficiently to get the slightest touch on the ball, diverting it inches past the post. From the following corner delivered deep, Josh Williams chipped back into the six-yard mix. The ball dropped nicely for White who drove it into Leo Chance's nether regions. The centre-back had barely got his wind back when Murphy hit a shot on the turn narrowly wide.
Another White centre from the right was too close to Harvey's mitts, before Zebras failed to capitalise on a corner which followed a right-flank attack initiated by Duncan McCabe.
Murphy and O'Dell were involved in a keen tussle throughout and at one stage they both ended up grappling on the floor down the left wing. From the resultant free-kick awarded to Zebras, Josh Ansell was preparing to meet the delivery but once again the ever-reliable Harvey snatched the quaffle from almost under his nose.
Shots were raining in on the Hythe goal but the majority were, agonisingly for the away followers, just off target. Billy Mullins and Graziano both had a dig, and a Murphy volley on 75 minutes was oh-so-close to ending up nestling in the net.
Wingmen Ash Guppy and Ollie Hebbard were introduced into the fray and soon involved in attacking skirmishes. From Guppy's clip across the penalty area Murphy, with his back to goal, flicked the ball over his head and onto the cross-bar.
In the 80th minute there was another hands-on-head moment following a corner. Hebbard's near-post header looked destined for the net but Harvey somehow scrambled across to his left to push the ball around the upright. Hebbard continued weaving promising patterns in the opposing half, on one occasion leaving three defenders bamboozled by some tricky footwork.
Hythe countered briefly with a couple of corners and long throws into the box but they were up against a sturdy black and white wall.
For all their pressure Zebras could not nudge the ball over the line for a victory that would have propelled them to top of the league. From one of several late corners Williams planted a header just over the bar. That turned out to be last-chance saloon.
When the final whistle blew, a relieved Harvey uttered "thank f*** for that." His reaction said it all as far as Hythe were concerned.
Team: Marshall, White, Graziano (Watson 71), Ansell, Williams, McCabe, O Crisp (Guppy 65), Mullins (Hebbard 65), Murphy, J Crisp, Herrin (Nardiello 75). Sub not used: Hollard (gk).
Booked: Mullins, Graziano.
Attendance: 96.