Lymington Town equalise through Ben Morris but leave empty-handed against Wessex League promotion-chasing Hamworthy United

Wessex League Division One

Lymington Town FC 1

Hamworthy Utd FC 3

LYMINGTON Town held their own for long periods, but they came up against an in-form Hamworthy Utd who showed no mercy.

In the hunt for a play-off spot, Hamworthy showed their resilience by bouncing back after defeat ended their five-match winning streak last week, achieving a decisive 3-1 victory.

The last time the two sides met, Lymington Town emerged victorious with a 4-2 win.

Lymington’s first proper chance came after 33 minutes. Connor Lopez, who has been his side’s standout goal-getter in recent times, culminated a slick four-man move down the pitch by firing just wide.

Lymington Town had other chances to score, but it was Hamworthy who finally broke the deadlock moments before the half ended. Keeper Charlie Fry came for the ball, but it broke free from his grasp as he went to ground. Neemo Nixon shot for a goal, but heroic defending cleared the ball off the line. However, Chris Speers was on hand to slice the ball across the line – which felt harsh on Lymington after matching the Hammers throughout the half.

Despite trailing, Lymington started the second half more positively. They deservedly drew level on just before the hour mark when Jack Higdon’s perfectly floated laser-guided delivery picked out an unmarked Ben Morris, who headed home at the back post.

In fairness to the fifth-placed side, the goal woke them from their malaise. They regained the lead in the 67th minute when Toby Diaz’s free-kick found Bailey Rowe, who headed it in, capitalising on suspect goalkeeping.

If there was any fault on the keeper’s behalf to find, Fry erased it from memory by magnificently pushing a goalbound header out for a corner moments later.

The third goal came after Josh Malpas beat two defenders before firing a low cross into the area for Finlay West to score.

With eight minutes left, Lymington Town’s Aaron Christie found himself with time to shoot, but home goalkeeper Jeremy James managed to hold onto the ball.

Despite the 10-point gap in the two side’s league position, Lymington Town looked equal to their hosts, but the third goal killed the contest.

Lymington Town: C. Fry, J. Higdon, J. Chappell, A. Christie, L. Crozier, A. Partridge, A. Morris, B. Morris, C. Lopez, N. Bullen, W. Johnson. Subs: H. Abdi, K. Nwachukwu, C. Taylor, L. le Moignan, J. Sutherden.