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The
Hamsters made it back-to-back wins for the first
time since October, today beating The Tribe 5-3
at the Kwikfit Recreational Stadium. Despite
saying it would be an experimental Hamsters
line-up, Scott McCarthy named a near-full
strength side, with the only notable absentees
being Jack Simpson, Matt Burbidge-Airs, Doug
Lane and club captain Robert Jones. Luke Vick
was given his first Hamsters start between the
sticks, after impressing during a spell in
Australia with South Melbourne, while both Pete
Morgan and Kieran Elliott returned after lengthy
absences. They were joined at the back by
McCarthy, allowing Ian Simpson to play alongside
captain Bert Lloyd in the midfield. Following
Tom Stewarts mysterious disappearance, a last
minute call was answered by Mark Potter, who
joined on-loan from the Diamonds and played on
the right flank, with Kevin Ticehurst down the
left. Peter Chapman played in the hole of a
three-pronged attack alongside Tom Witham and
Dan Collin
It
was the Hamsters who made the early running, and
Tom Witham missed two glaring chances with the
goal gaping. His disappointment was clear to see
for all at the Rec, as he threw himself to the
floor in a fetal position after both misses.
With the defence looking largely stable, and
Simpson reveling in his midfield role, it was
the Hamsters who eventually took the lead. Tom
Witham linked up well with Mark Potter down the
right, and an influential step over from the
former Old Varndeanians captain Witham lead to
complete confusion in the box. If there was ever
going to be one man to capitalise on this, it
was the predator Dan Collin. Having not scored
in 11-a-side since October 2003, he saw his
chance and volleyed the ball past the helpless
keeper. The relief was there for all to see, as
another planned homo-erotic celebration
featuring the scorer, Witham and McCarthy had
the fans on their feet.
The
Tribe weren't to be put off though, and their
top scorer Harvey Asahi was given a golden
opportunity to make it 1-1. Played in by Hugo
Whitehouse, he had only Vick to beat - until
from nowhere, Scott McCarthy came flying in with
a great last ditch challenge to deny the striker
the opportunity. The tackle, despite taking the
ball, had certain Tribe players incensed as they
seemed to feel it was two-footed studs up. Dan
Strange decided to take this anger out on Peter
Chapman, and a little bit of handbags between
the two lead to an exchange of words. Adam
Pattison was able to calm his team mate down
though, but as usually happens when Chapman is
involved in something, he went missing. After 5
minutes of walking round in the middle of the
park, the experienced pro suddenly showed why
McCarthy had the faith in playing him in the
hole, as a superb ball across field from
Ticehurst found Dan Collin, who powered past his
man before delivering a drilled cross, leaving
Chapman to knock the ball home after a superbly
timed run
Bert
Lloyd thought he had made it 3-0 shortly after,
thanks to a superb through pass from Ian Simpson
playing the captain in. Striking a scorching
volley, Tribe keeper Dan Strange pulled off a
sensational save to keep his side in it. Down
the other end, Luke Vick showed his credentials
in goal, making a similarly blinding save from a
Hugo Whitehouse effort, with the follow up
cleared off the line by Ian Simpson. Asahi
nearly had the chance to pull one back for the
Tribe, after Luke Vick, busy smoking a
cigarette, nearly spilled a shot, but luckily
the keepers reactions where quick enough to grab
the ball. On the stroke of half time, the
Hamsters made it 3-0, and it was Chapman again
who scored the goal. The forward beat the
offside trap in trademark fashion following a
superb through ball, and beat the advancing
Strange with a curling side foot effort into the
empty net
Into
the second half, and the Hamsters made a few
changes, with Tom Witham decided to play at the
back. Hamsters fans were remembering the disastrous
effects that a McCarthy and Witham defence had
last time they partnered each other, resulting
in giving away a 4 goal lead. It looked like the
same may happen again, as the Tribe breached the
Hamsters back line, and finished a fine effort
past Vick. With the Hamsters looking to be on
the ropes slightly, it was again their
inspirational manager Scott McCarthy who lead
the way. Picking the ball up in his own half, he
powered forward, and with space opening out in front
of him the call from assistant manager Bob
Ticehurst was simply "Hit it Scott".
25 yards out, and McCarthy let rip, with a
powerful laced drive flying straight over the
keepers outstretched leg, to maintain McCarthys
impressive 11-a-side record of 7 goals in 4
outfield appearances. Collin thought he had
added his second of the game, but it wasn't to
be, the linesman raising a questionable flag
after good link up down the right flank. It was
soon made 4-2 though, as the introduction of
Niki Pitcher lead to another goal, with the
substitute netting a superb header to make it
4-2. With the Hamsters looking under pressure,
Tom Witham switched to a more wide role on the
right, allowing Ian Simpson to play at the back
with his former Southdown partner McCarthy. The
change saw Mac Industries go more defensive, and
it was a classic piece of counter-attacking play
that made it 5-2. Dan Collin started the move of
the season, knocking the ball into the feet of
Bert Lloyd before sprinting for the return.
Lloyd used all his experience, with a clever
little back heel into the path of the advancing
Collin, who beat Christian Jones for pace before
flicking the ball over the top of the advancing
keeper
It
was back to the walls stuff from then on, with
the Hamsters hanging on. Chapman had two good
opportunities which he spurned, before Dan
Collin rattled the bar with a scorching effort.
Pushing for two goals, and taking advantage of
the lack of fitness in the Mac Industries team,
the Tribe had a number of good opportunities,
but could not find a way through the defence of
Elliott, McCarthy, Simpson and Morgan. It was a
relieved Hamsters who heard the final whistle,
as another hard earned three-points were put in
the bank, against a determined Tribe side
playing in a spirit that they had not shown
before
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