Humbugs make it four wins out of four
A FIRST-half strike by Josh Case was enough to give Hayling United all three points for a fourth game in a row as the Humbugs beat Winchster City 1-0, on Saturday.
On a somewhat difficult surface both sides started with a well-intentioned passing game, but from the outset it was obvious that there were going to be some unforced errors.
With Humbugs manager Mark Poulton having gone with an unchanged starting XI from the midweek win against Alresford, it was the visitors who were first to get an effort on target.
With just three minutes gone, Darren Morris let loose a shot from from a throw-in on the left towards Tony Harrop's goal, but luckily for the hosts it went well over the top.
The home side's reply was fairly immediate, and three minutes later a good move ended with Josh Case sending a shot in from distance, but clear of Ryan Gosney's righthand upright.
City's Zach Glasspool was causing all sorts of problems down the left wing and it it took a timely challenge by Nick Edgington to dispossess Morris and see it out for a goal kick in the 13th minute.
It was a fairly even affair but the visitors were making a few more half-chances.
and just a couple of minutes later Joe Bye sent a good delivery from a free-kick into the Hayling penalty area, whcih fell to Glasspool whose volley went just over the bar.
The college-based team took the lead on 22 minutes when Case finished another good piece of approach work with a fantastic strike off the outside of his right boot, which sent the ball flying past Gosney in the blink of an eye.
Soon after it was midfielder Steve Leigh who set his sights on Gosney's goal, but his shot from distance didn't worry the City stopper.
Another good delivery from a Bye free-kick on 37 minutes brought a clearing punch from Harrop under pressure as he continued to keep the visitors at bay.
In an even start to the second half Hayling were reasonably comfortable holding on to their lead, but the playing surface wasn't doing either side any favours when it came to trying to play controlled football.
It didn't stop Case going on a mazy run from within his own half on 70 minutes.
He made it to just outside the City box but picked out a Winchester defender instead of the unmarked Billy Huntley
Lenny Burney continued with his own personal battle with former Pompey and Spurs centre-half Guy Butters, which had been a big part of the reverse fixture at the Denplan Stadium.
Huntley was causing the City defence all sorts of problems on the left after coming on as sub for Nathan Paxton.
On 73 minutes, a quality move between Lawrence Wall, Way and Huntley cut open the visitors back line.
the ball fell to the hard-working Graham Gillman whose effort was blocked by the keeper.
The ball found its way however to Wall alone at the far post and he stabbed it home, but the assistant had raised his flag for offside.
There were just a few minutes left when Hayling dozed off at a throw-in.
And it took a fantastic save by Harrop low down to his left to ensure all the points ended up going to the 'Bugs as United's march to mid-table safety continued.
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Weather for Hayling
Friday 25 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 13 C to 25 C
Wind Speed: 22 mph
Wind direction: East
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Temperature: 13 C to 23 C
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