Mierosoft v Hamsters - 29/03/05

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Following defeat in the last fixture between these two sides, McCarthy made several changes. Jack Simpson returned in goal, along with brother Ian in defence. Scott McCarthy came into the midfield engine room, while Kevin Ticehurst returned on the right flank. Jamie Farhall was also back in the side after a lengthy absence, while the re-called Ben Walmsley was joined on the bench by Luke Vick, signed on a months loan from Hassocks.

With the rain falling, the Hamsters started poorly. Mierosoft, with Liam Elliott controlling the play, were soon testing the Mac Industries defence, but Ian Simpson was back to his best. McCarthy was soon involved in the action, with a number of sliding tackles, and Walmsley was looking to play the ball around. The lack of options wide meant Hamsters were restricted, as Mierosoft attempted to play through the middle. However, with the visitors packed 5 man midfield, it meant for a scrappy opening, with neither side gaining control. Mierosoft showed their danger from set pieces, as Kieran Elliott's whipped delivery flew straight across the area. It was a sign of things to come, as moments later Mierosoft took the lead. Another corner from Kieran Elliott landed straight on his brothers head, as Liam celebrated a return to the team with a free header. It was the worse possible start for the Hamsters, and questions will have been asked about the marking. The Hamsters midfield was showing the passion that has been lacking in so many games this season, as the tackles went flying in. With Chapman being pushed into a more central role, it left no outlet wide, and Mac Industries were soon resorting to the ball over the top. The first real chance of the game for the visitors came when McCarthy, relishing his ball-winning role in midfield, won yet another tackle from Osborne, before sending a 40 yard pass over the top of the defence. Davis was alert enough to cut it out, otherwise Chapman would have been odds on to net.

With that was being displayed on the pitch boiling into the stands, one event could kick off the action in the terraces. The Hamsters fans will pinpoint a disallowed goal as that moment. Dan Collin, who was relatively quiet all game, drifted in from the left flank, and his ball into the box took a touch off a Mierosoft defender, and Farhall put it home. However, the goal was given as an offside, sparking heated confrontations on the pitch. McCarthy rallied his troops though, and they soon got a goal that did count. Farhall found himself played in on goal, and after a hatful of misses early in the game, he this time beat the advancing Davis with a smart finish. With the Hamsters back in it, they started to gain a bit more control, but still did not have the width they needed to cause Mierosoft problems. Coming forward, the home side looked good, but once again found the resilient defence of Morgan, Simpson and Lane formidable opponents. Jack Simpson, making only his second start in goal for Mac Industries, was having a quiet afternoon. That soon changed though, as a through ball should have been easily gathered by the youngster. The ball slipped through his hands though, and despite Ian Simpson's goal line clearance, Dave Riley was on hand to restore Mierosoft's lead. With a lack of creativity in the midfield, something had to be done, and McCarthy threw on Luke Vick in place of Kevin Ticehurst. With Farhall now taking up a role on the right, things instantly changed, as the Hamsters looked to get back into it. Vick started creating early on with his famed left foot, and Farhall had the beating of Matt Bell every time. Mierosoft continued to push though, and another goal mouth scramble almost resulted in a goal, but Ian Simpson was able to smash clear. Down the other end, and Luke Vick was unlucky not to mark his debut with a goal, as Farhall's ball into the box found the on-loan midfielder, who fired over the bar from close range.

It was Farhall who earnt the Hamsters the corner that was to lead to their second goal. A cross into the box was cleared away, and Luke Vicks curling delivery was inch perfect, as the ball was flicked on, straight to Doug Lane. The big defender bought the ball down with his chest, before rifling home an un-stoppable volley to draw the sides level. The change had worked, as Vick created what was needed to make it 2-2. The instructions from the Hamsters bench were simple - hold on for half time. The team did that, and were able to go in having got back into the game twice. Inspired by their half time team talk, given by chairman Tom McCarthy, watching his first game since a heart attack in February, the Hamsters returned to the field with renewed vigor. Pete Morgan was replaced by Kevin Ticehurst, who returned wide on the left, with Vick going into central midfield. McCarthy moved into defence, as him and Simpson renewed their Southdown Rovers partnership. The changes worked almost instantly, as the Hamsters won a corner. Ticehurst, looking to do something early on, sent in a low corner to the near post. Mierosoft should have dealt with the poor delivery, but it was captain Tom Walmsley who got their first, and his effort flew over Davis at his near post to make it 3-2. Mierosoft knew they had to get back into it, and nearly did, but Simpson again managed to put in a tackle to deny Sam Franks. It was proving to be a frustrating day for the Mierosoft front players, as they could find no way to beat the strong back 3 from the Hamsters. Dave Riley was coming closest, but was finding it difficult to get anywhere. As Mierosoft piled on the pressure, Tom Walmsley sat in the hole that McCarthy had done such an effective job in in the first half. Mierosoft pushed forwards, looking for an equaliser, but it was Mac Industries who got the goal. Catching the home side on the break, the ball fell to Chapman. Running at the defence, the ball was flicked into the air, and the striker headed it over his marking, before firing it into the right hand corner of the goal, leaving Davis with no chance. 

Tiredness was beginning to creep in for the Hamsters, and it was Bert Lloyd who was withdrawn, as Ben Walmsley came into the center of midfield. Nervous times a minute later, as a ball into the box from Riley was met with Liam Elliott's head, but Jack Simpson did fantastically well to tip the ball onto the bar, and keep the score at 4-2. Mierosoft looked most dangerous from set pieces, and without McCarthy's commanding presence between the sticks, it looked as though this would be where any goal would come from. However, Jack, growing in confidence from the last save, punched another curler from Elliott clear to keep the score at 4-2. Mierosoft continued to pile on the pressure, and they finally pulled it back to 4-3. Dan Collin, bizarrely playing in defence, made a poor clearance, and from the resulting throw, the ball came into the box, and was met by Liam Elliott, who drifted out to the left, before sending a cross-come-shot that beat Simpson at his near post. Moments later, and Kieran Elliott went down with cramp. Suddenly, the fighting that had been building in the stands between the rival fans spilled onto the pitch, and the players were forced to lead as the police tried to gain control of the hooligans. 10 minutes later, and order was restored, as police dogs and horses caught the fans responsible for the disgraceful scenes. With the rain lashing down, the players returned, with both teams needing to be focused on the game after the break. With Kieran Elliott off injured, it meant that the Hamsters could exploit the space in the middle. McCarthy decided that holding on was their best option, as they went 4-5-1. Collin was replaced with Lloyd, while Morgan came on for Vick. Tom Walmsley, now filling in at right back, made an instant impression in his new position, as he played an inch perfect ball through to Farhall. The wide man outpaced the defence, and fired the ball past Davis to make it 5-3, with just 10 minutes remaining. Playing with a back 4, Mac Industries looked more solid than ever, and when Franks did get the opportunity, he was denied by Jack Simpson, diving to his right and parrying away while at full stretch. It was the last chance Mierosoft would have, as the Hamsters held on for a 5-3 victory.

After the game, manager Scott McCarthy said: "Today really was a reversal of the last time we played this lot. In that game, we had the chances but their defence was solid. Today, they had the chances but our defence was solid. Having Ian back was a big boost. Jack looked nervous in the first half, and was at fault for one of their goals, but in the second he was more commanding, and pulled off 2 world class saves to keep us in it. In the second half, the back line was stronger than ever, and with Walmsley filling in at right back, it was watertight. Having seen that, playing with a back 4 is certainly something we will have to consider in the future. The midfield did its job, although I was disappointed with the wide men early on. Farhall going wide with his pace was important, and him running at people is what we have missed in recent weeks. I was pleased with Luke Vicks contribution, but we know it is only a temporary measure. Even so, its good to have a bit of quality with the left foot. I felt sorry for the Mierosoft boys, as we were two evenly matched teams. On another day they would have won it, but our boys seemed to want it more. That is pleasing, to see dedication and commitment, we were flying into tackles without a second thought, and I think 10/11 players gave 110% in that game for the 90 minutes. That is the most pleasing thing. We face Parkour now on Thursday, and although we will be expected to win, we need the same sort of performance. KEEP THE FAITH!"