Amesbury Town 3 Hamble ASSC 3

Amesbury Town 3 Hamble ASSC 3

Sydenhams Wessex League – Division One

Amesbury team: Allatt; L. Bartlett, Sole (c), McPhie, Pryce (Palmer, h-t); M. Western (Vallis, 87), Bates, Richards (Wade, h-t), C. Wheeler; Charman, Finnigan.

Subs (not used): Horner, Hope.

Scorers: M. Western (1), C. Wheeler (20, 86).

Sent off: Sole.

Att: 57.

AMESBURY Town shared a controversial six-goal thriller with Hamble ASSC at Bonny Mead on Saturday.

With Danny Western starting a three-match suspension, Danny Finnigan partnered Daryl Charman in attack.

The game was late starting due to an injury to one of the assistant referees, and a replacement was found from the crowd.

The Blues had a sensational start, taking the lead in the first minute when Craig Wheeler released Jason Bates whose stinging shot was only parried by Jon Webb, and Matt Western pounced to clip the ball in from a narrow angle.

Hamble captain James Roden hit a 25-yard strike that rebounded off Tommy Allatt’s crossbar, but it was Amesbury who got the next goal.

Ben Pryce beat his marker on the left before crossing for Finnigan to head into the path of Wheeler who slotted home on 20 minutes.

Hamble reduced the deficit two minutes later, as James Musselwhite headed in a cross from close range.

The game took a crucial turn after 37 minutes, when Blues skipper Neil Sole was sent off for a professional foul after he seemed to slip whilst challenging a Hamble player just outside the box.

The decision was compounded when Danny Sturman rifled in the resulting free kick, although it was allowed to be taken while Sole was still walking off the pitch.

Hamble took the lead for the first time just eight minutes into the second half, as Musselwhite again headed in a right-wing cross.

It was soon ten-against-ten as Peter West received a second yellow card for a foul on Allatt. The goalkeeper denied Musselwhite a hat-trick, and the forward then chipped a good chance wide.

Dave Wade headed a corner straight at the goalkeeper before Matt Western ran down the right wing and produced an excellent cross which Wheeler powerfully headed in for an 86th-minute leveller.

Amesbury head to Hythe & Dibden, whom they beat 3-1 in October, on Saturday.

Their scheduled Wessex League Cup game against Brockenhurst this Tuesday was postponed due to their opponents being involved in a Hampshire Senior Cup tie.