Hamble ASSC 2-1 Eastleigh Reserves

TUESDAY 1ST AUGUST 2006

EASTLEIGH LINEUP:

Luke Douglas, Jack Smith, Scott Gilham, Andy Puckett, Jason Stock, Macs Sampays, Lewis Hunt, Andy Weston, Jordan Hamilton, Ashley Jarvis, Ben Ngwa

SUBS: Ryan Woodford, Craig Cansdale, Lee O'Connell, Liam Winzar, Ryan Lock

After a slow start to the match, Eastleigh soon found their stride and went on to dominate the first half with Ben Ngwa's goal on 32 minutes being enough to separate the two teams at the break. However the Wessex League side came out in the second half with a lot of determination and managed to score 2 goals late on to steal the win.

Jack Smith and Andy Puckett were both back in Eastleigh shirts as depsite being on loan to Andover the club have them available on Tuesdays. The side contained only two regulars from the reserve side that were promoted from the Suburban South League last season, Jordan Hamilton and goalscorer Ben Ngwa, as both Ian and Wayne are looking to form a stronger squad for the season ahead.

In the 6th and 7th minutes of the game, Hamble put the visitors under a lot of pressure. Firstly a speculative effort from distance kept Eastleigh keeper Luke Douglas on his toes and then only a minute later a free kick right on the edge of the penalty area looked destined for the top corner only for an Andy Weston header to deflect the ball away for a corner kick.

Eastleigh had their first real attack of the game on 20 minutes, when good play on the right from Ben Ngwa saw him skillfully beat his marker before looping a cross in for Lewis Hunt whose header dipped just over the cross bar.

The lively Ashley Jarvis held up the ball very well before finding some space to deliver the ball into the centre but Ngwa couldn't quite get a touch as Eastleigh looked more and more dangerous going forward with the pace and skill of the two front men.

A third Eastleigh attack in quick succession resulted in a free kick as Andy Puckett burst forward with purpose from centre back. Puckett stepped up to take the kick, about 25 yards from goal, but failed to beat the wall.

Finally, the dominance and possession from the young Eastleigh side saw them get their just rewards with a goal. A lovely flowing move between Ngwa and Jarvis saw the former Brighton academy striker strike the ball first time with his weaker left foot, which the keeper then parried into the path of Ben Ngwa who slid the ball in from close distance.

Things could have been better for Ian and Wayne's team two minutes before half time. A great through ball from Lewis Hunt picked out the run of Macs Sampays down the right hand side, who pulled the ball back close to the byline and despite a good shout for handball nothing was given.

Half Time: Hamble 0-1 Eastleigh Res.

A number of substitutions were made by Eastleigh including Macs Sampays being replaced by Liam Winzar down the right hand side, and Lewis Hunt making way for Craig Cansdale in midfield due to picking up a knock.

Hamble came close on 56 minutes when a header flew into the side netting of Douglas' goal, however moments later Ngwa's clever pass to Jarvis saw him free of the last defender with just the keeper to beat but he mishit his shot and a great chance to increase the lead was gone.

That was to be Jarvis' last action of the game after a very good performance. Not only did he create chances but he was always on the look for the ball and most impressively he got back to win tackles for the team as well. Ryan Lock replaced Jarvis up front.

Just after the hour mark, a powerful defensive header from Jason Stock gifted Ryan Lock with a similar opportunity to Ashley's. Once again the Hamble keeper narrowed the angle forcing Lock wide and as a result the effort was wayward.

The home side all of a sudden came at Eastleigh out of the blue with a lovely strike in the 72nd minute for the equaliser as the defence failed to clear the ball and then 9 minutes from time Eastleigh conceded another soft goal when a Hamble player was given time and space to head the ball home from a cross.

Andy Puckett was replaced by Ryan Woodford for the remainder of the game.

Eastleigh's substitutes linked up to try and get a goal with good acceleration from Lock down the left to get past the full back and cross for Liam Winzar at the back post who did everything right heading the ball down only to see it bounce over the bar and out for a goal kick.

Despite the defeat, Eastleigh can take heart from the fact that they were largely the better side and with a little more composure up front would have put the game beyond Hamble before they conceded the two goals.

Full Time: Hamble 2-1 Eastleigh Res.

Jamie Montigue