Saturday 10th February 2024, Kick-off 15.00
Hampshire FA Saturday Trophy Quarter Final
Front Lawn Community Hub, Havant
Admission: Free
Programme: £2.00
Attendance: 50 (estimate)
With heavy rain falling over the last few days causing a significant number of games to be postponed the day before, and virtually all games on grass to be inspected this morning, I decided to take the safe option today by choosing a 3G venue which would be a relatively striaghtforward journey for me, also because I had had quite a busy week with my trip down to the West Country and my toe still causing some discomfort. What sealed the deal was the knowledge that Denmead are issuing printing programmes - a rare treat indeed in the Hampshire Premier League.
The Front Lawn Community Hub is about a twenty minute walk northwards from Havant train station, located on the opposite side of a road from Havant & Waterlooville’s home ground, Westleigh Park. As well as offering tennis, netball and basketball facilities, the complex also hosts playing fields and a 3G cage, which fellow Hampshire League outfit Harvest, as well as Denmead, call home. It's an unremarkable venue indeed, with standing only available along about two thirds of one length, and with no covered or seated areas available. A decent if very advert heavy programme printed in colour was available at the entrance, with buyers trusted to put £2 in the tub. A range of hot and cold refreshements are available from the complex's pavilion building a very short walk away from the cage, offering a seated area and a big screen showing freeview channels.
2023 was quite a traumatic year for Denmead, which saw them resign from the Hampshire League at the end of last season, with a reformed club taking its place for this season but relocating its home venue to Petersfield School, but then returning to the home ground of the original Denmead club at Front Lawn in October. But they have been having a decent season in the Hampshire Premier League Senior Division so far, and are currently in seventh place, following nine wins and a draw from their 18 league games so far. Liphook United are having a great season, up in second place, following twelve wins and a draw from their 15 league games. Both league fixtures between the two clubs this season have already taken place, with Liphook winning 2-0 on both occasions.
On a fairly mild and mostly overcast afternoon, although the low sun shone brightly as the game neared its conclusion, Denmead started quite well, doing much of the attacking, although it was Liphook who were creating the standout chances. In the 13th minute, a header from a cross was heading for the top right corner, but the Denmead keeper just managed to tip the ball onto the bar and over. But on 33 minutes, the visitors took the lead when a cross from the byline took a deflection, sending the ball looping high and dropping down for Billy Allcock to tap home from close range. And they doubled their lead in the 40th minute when a cross from the right was met by Phil Moore, who struck the ball home.In the fourth minute of added on time in the first half, Denmead came close to pulling a goal back, when a shot from a tight angle was blocked by the keeper's foot.
The scoreline at the break was a little harsh on Denmead, and again they did plenty of attacking at the start of the second half, without managing to create many gilt edged chances. And the game was pretty much put to bed in the 60th minute, when Liphook were awarded a penalty when a Denmead player bundled a Liphook forward over as he chased back, although it did look like the foul took place just outside the area.Henry Smith struck the penalty powerfully into the bottom right corner, despite the keeper going the right way. It was all Liphook after that, and they created several chances to further extend their lead but were unable to do so, and Denmead's misery was compunded in the 74th minute when they had a player sent off. And so it was Liphook who would proceed to the semi-finals
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