Match Report Wednesday 5th August
Sherborne Town FC 1 - 1 Hamworthy Recreation
Wessex League
Sherborne Town 1 Hamworthy Recreation 1
Hamworthy Rec have caused Sherborne plenty of heartache over the years, from knocking them out of the Dorset Senior Cup as Hamworthy Engineering way back in 1993 right through to the last two seasons when they have completed the league double over the Zebras with an aggregate score of 9-1. This time the pain arrived in the shape of a 94th-minute equaliser. But at least the hosts had something to show for their endeavours.
After Alex Murphy had put the Zebras in front with a dazzling long-range lob early in the second half, it was backs-to-the-wall stuff, but they defended defiantly until substitute Ash Pope bundled the ball over the line for Rec right at the death.
Zebras stayed with the winning formula which bagged them a win at Horndean four days earlier, the only change being Aaron White's return on the bench.
Two members of the opposition, Tyler Rudd and Bailey Rowe, were on the losing side here last year when playing for Hamworthy United in the Vase.
The playing surface was predictably parched and bone hard.
Rec, attacking the clubhouse end, looked comfortable from the off, forcing two early corners. One was met by Lewis McMurdo whose header sailed wide.
Zebras first attack, in the seventh minute, ended with Ollie Crisp laying the ball into the path of Ant Herrin but the latter's snap-shot was pulled wide.
The visitors were doing a better job of retaining the ball. Continually on the press, they had accumulated six corners by the 20th minute.
Zebras, on the other hand, were missing a spark and creating little. It took them nearly half an hour to win their first corner, courtesy of some good running by Ollie Hebbard down the left flank. It came to nothing, but when Hebbard next appeared rampaging down the right it almost led to the opening goal. Chasing a flick-on over the Rec defensive line, the winger made a beeline for goal before unleashing a low shot which Shane Murphy did well to keep out with an outstretched right boot.
Buoyed by that, Zebras moved up a gear. Jake Graziano delivered a wicked cross from the right which was headed clear by Isaac Stanley, another acquisition from Hamworthy United.
They then put together their best move of the half but Ollie Crisp ran out of steam and failed to inject enough oomph into his cross after being set clear down the right.
Half-time 0-0.
The hosts were forced into changes at the interval. The two Crisps were withdrawn - Joe with a nasty graze on the thigh - to be replaced by Aaron White and Billy Mullins. White adopted his usual position at right-back with Graziano pushed into midfield.
Zebras began brightly. Strong hold-up play from Hebbard and a nudged ball across the penalty area found Herrin, who with his back to goal, tried an overhead kick but straight into the arms of Murphy.
Then came Zebras' goal on 53 minutes. A raking diagonal lofted pass out of defence from White caught the Rec off guard and Alex Murphy, spotting his namesake off his line, volleyed the ball beautifully into the net from 25 yards. Despite getting a glove to it, the keeper was unable to prevent the ball from crossing the line. At least that kept him quiet for five minutes.
At the other end Jack Marshall was quietly going about his business and doing a sterling job of keeping the opposition at bay. On the hour mark he dived full length to his left to parry a shot, then in the 62nd minute exhibited almost a carbon copy as he pushed an Ollie Davies free-kick that seemed destined for the bottom corner to safety.
That apart, much of the Rec's finishing left a lot to be desired. Three shots in quick succession would have won approval from SpaceX boss Elon Musk as they were launched into orbit.
Stanley went on a mazy run towards the Zebras penalty area but was unable to inflict any further damage with his effort on goal. When Chris Long did manage to find the target Marshall was up to the challenge.
A wave of blue flooded the home half and when striker Murphy was replaced by midfielder Duncan McCabe it was clear Zebras were intent on containment. A 12-1 corner count in favour of Rec told a story - not to mention a series of long throws into the danger zone - but they all failed to yield a score, many of them landing on the heads of either Jordon Matthews or Josh Williams.
In the second minute of stoppage time, with home fans baying for the final whistle, Rec's chances appeared to have evaporated when Zebras stole possession and hoofed the ball downfield. What followed was a dramatic turn of events. A cross from the left into the penalty area reached Herrin who hooked the ball over a stranded Murphy. Agonisingly for the home contingent, it came back off a post, was gathered by a relieved keeper and quickly dispatched upfield. Within seconds the ball was pinging about in the Zebras goalmouth and eventually prodded into the net.
With Rec having controlled the game for long periods, not many, if any, would have begrudged them a share of the spoils. It was just the timing that hurt.
Team: Marshall, Graziano, Watson, Matthews (Ansell 80), Williams, Lawrence-Napier, O Crisp (White h-t), Herrin, Murphy (McCabe 83), J Crisp (Mullins h-t), Hebbard (Guppy 63).
Goal: Murphy (53).
Attendance: 177.
Man-of-the-match: Marshall.