Ambers extend winning run

A strong second half performance saw The Ambers beat Hemsworth MW 4-1 ....

Jas Colliver was given the rare opportunity of naming an unchanged starting eleven as The Ambers faced up to a competitive Hemsworth side who have perhaps bettered their expectations this season, and who we know are dangerous opponents on their day.
Some early Ambers’ pressure revolved around Jordan Turner’s ability to play on the shoulder of the last man, but the strong centre back partnership of Steers and Viggars were able to keep him at bay, whilst at the other end of the pitch, Dockerty had an early strike saved comfortably by Jon Hedge, before a timely interception by Brad Nicholson stopped him in his tracks as he was about to pull the trigger.
The visitors were having slightly the better of things in the opening half an hour, and Hedge was again called into action to deal with a Collier shot after the winger had danced his way through to the edge of the area. Frustration was growing in the home ranks, particularly when Turner and Josh Hemmingway got in each other’s way after Alex Rippon had set up a chance on the edge of the box, but calmness was restored two minutes later when a Steve Istead free kick was only cleared as far as Ozzy Radford who guided his well struck volley into the roof of the net to break the deadlock.
The Wells were a tad unfortunate to find themselves a goal behind given their contribution to the game thus far, and they responded well, taking just six minutes to level things up, a clever ball from Jones seeking out Connolly who finished well with a shot on the run. The Ambers were not too dis-spirited and almost hit back after some good interplay found Stuart Ludlam in an advanced position but his strike missed the target, before Turner rattled the post on the stroke of half time with a long range strike.
The second half was only three minutes old when a long ball over the top saw Rippon challenging keeper Paley, the mid-air collision resulting in a bloody nose for the Ambers man who had to be replaced by Jon Hill, the big midfielder taking a slot up front alongside Turner. It wasn’t long before Hill started to dominate in the air, and just minutes after seeing one header fly narrowly wide, his next effort on the end of a long Nicholson throw was only cleared as far as Jamie Green who lashed the ball home from the edge of the box.
Paley then saved a volley from Hill before Istead’s long range strike brushed the bar on its way over, as The Ambers took hold of the game and started to dominate. Turner then struck the woodwork for the second time with a wonderful effort before a Hemsworth defender managed to hit the woodwork for the third time in seven minutes as the visitors struggled to repel the constant barrage of Ambers’ attacks.
Turner was absolutely rampant now, and after seeing an audacious chip ruled out for offside, he twisted and turned his way into the box only to see his effort roll narrowly wide, before The Wells showed that they could still find a way back into the game when Connolly and Dockerty combined well, and only a marvellous penalty area challenge by Ludlam stopped them in their tracks.
The action quickly switched to the other end as Turner raced through again, and he was sent sprawling by Paley, who was perhaps a little unlucky to see a penalty kick awarded. Turner despatched the penalty with a minimum of fuss to seal the points for The Ambers, and there was still time for Lee Cooksey to open his Ambers account with a scissor kick which flew into the net to put the icing on the cake, seven minutes from the end.

HE Barnes Man of The Match – Brad Nicholson