Depleted Warwick raise their game to beat Hampton-in-Arden - The Leamington Observer

Depleted Warwick raise their game to beat Hampton-in-Arden

Leamington Editorial 14th Mar, 2016 Updated: 28th Oct, 2016   0

A DEPLETED Warwick second team produced a fine performance to beat Hampton-in-Arden 6-4 and move closer to a fifth-place finish heading into the final game of the 2015/16 season.

A unbalanced squad saw Warwick field three defenders, just one midfielder while having no fewer than six forwards at their expense.

Thinking that strength in numbers defensively was a good plan, Warwick decided to start with one less forward than usual but they need not have worried when Druce fired home the opener after just five minutes.

With 15 minutes gone Hampton were again fishing the ball out of their net after Kane set up Slora who beat the goalkeeper with an unstoppable shot which sailed into the backboard.




Warwick’s dominance was dealt a blow when Bennett put his hand in the way of the ball and was unable to continue so skipper Balfour was called into action despite injuring his shoulder in training.

The change did seem to affect Warwick and Hampton were able to score two goals to go into the break level at 2-2.


After half-time Warwick changed their approach and went on the defensive which allowed Hampton to dominate proceedings but Warwick looked dangerous on the attack.

They managed to re-take the lead again when Druce looked to have played the ball too far ahead of Kane but his team mate dived at full stretch to score Warwick’s third.

Soon after Warwick bagged a fourth through Slora again before with 15 minutes remaining Bowler was given a green card for a foul and Hampton pegged their opponents back to 4-3.

Warwick put the game to bed with seven minutes remaining with two late goals and Hampton scored what proved to be little more than a late consolation.

Elsewhere, a game of two halves saw the third team lose 3-0 against basement boys Burton.

Warwick domintaed the opening period and had many short corner chances but the two sides went in level at the break. Andrew Dellow had Warwick’s best chance but his powerful shot was well saved by the Burton keeper.

The frustration of not finding a breakthrough seemed to get into Warwick heads and despite the best efforts of Toby Harper-Lawrence in the Warwick goal, he conceded three goals as Warwick fell to a disappointing defeat.

The fourth team also tasted defeat after losing 3-2 against Lichfield with John Sawdon and Dave Morton getting the goals, while goals from Will Astley and Luca Cardellino was not enough for the fifth team who lost 4-2 against Liecester.

There was one game in the women’s section with Warwick’s third team beating Sutton Coldfield 3-1 with top scorer Hannah Wishart bagging a brace.

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