Starting Line Up: Kingston, Gregorace, A Hendren (c), Pleass, M Hendren, Rackham, Livings, Langford, Connors, Dundas & Matthews. Subs: Brizell & Benson.
This game on paper looked like Lambourn's toughest test of the season, Manager Clark faced with the task of selecting a side without 12 of his first team squad being available to him either through suspension, Injury or work commitments. Clark only had two on the bench, Assistant Manager Jason Brizell & Club Secretary Martyn Benson not the ideal situation when facing a side who are top of the table and chasing the title.
Manager Clark played a more defensive formation for this fixture with a 4-4-1-1 and allowing the Highmoor back line to keep possession and only pressing the ball in there own half. This seemed to knock a confident Highmoor side out of there stride as they continued to play long balls that Pleass & Hendren found comfortable deal with. Hignmoor did go close on 10 minutes after a defensive mix up gave Drake a chance but the midfielder fired over. On 17 minutes Lambourn took the lead a free kick from A Hendren was headed down by Livings for Matthews to smash home a acrobatic half volley for his second in two games since moving up front from midfield. The striker had a chance to extend that lead on 30 minutes after some great work from Rackham but he pulled his effort just wide. The Highmoor players were getting frustrated as Lambourn tactics seemed to have them baffled but on the stroke of half time the referee gave them a way back into the game when he awarded a penalty. Keeper Kingston seemed to take the ball but the referee didn't agree and pointed to the spot. Kingston guessed the right way to pull out a fantastic save low to his right. A very angry & frustrated Highmoor side left the pitch at half time and some very nasty threats were made to the Lambourn management team on the walk back to the dressing room forcing them to speak with the officials at half time.
HT 0-1
The second half continued in the same manner as the first with very few clear cut chances being created, Highmoor had the better of the possession but Lambourn looked a real threat on the break. The game exploded into life on 75 minutes, A Highmoor corner was headed home powerfully at the back post by Gallmore. Highmoor desperate for the win to keep them ahead of high flying Newbury Town FC kept pushing men forward and were quickly punished, Langford played a ball over the top and Rackham collected it showed fantastic composure as he rounded the keeper and rolled the ball into a empty net. Highmoor didn't give up and they got there reward when a goal mouth scramble gave Small-king the chance to prod the ball goal wards and offside player seemed to obstruct Kingston allowing the ball to roll into the net. Small-King had a chance to win the game with a free kick on the edge of the area in the last minute of the game. The vetran player with a fantastic free kick record over his caraee failed to find the right connection and Lambourn left Palmer Park with a deserved point and a little unlucky not to claim all 3.
Mom A Hendren
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