Terrific occasion. I told myself before the match that the result didn't really matter as we were back home, but after such a poor run of form it certainly felt good to get that win.
The first half was cagey with a lot of passing and probing, and little to choose between the teams. Once the deadlock was broken just after the hour the game opened up and I felt Hamlet were well worth the win in the end, despite making it a bit more "exciting" by conceding a late goal.
The first goal was a lovely team effort as Thompson produced a perfectly timed headed pass to find Clunis on the right; he tricked his way inside and passed square to Carew just outside the box, who sidefooted firmly past the keeper with the aid of a deflection. Akinyemi immediately replaced Thompson in what appeared to be a pre-conceived tactical switch, then with 15 minutes to go Hamlet doubled the lead as a deep cross from the right was met by a classic far post header from Clunis, leaping high to fire the ball back across the keeper and into the opposite top corner.
Hamlet looked to be seeing out the game until two minutes into stoppage time when Green conceded a free kick just inside our half on the left flank. Too many of our players switched off as it was taken quickly, resulting in a surge down the line and a low cross to the edge of the six yard box that was turned into the net with Edwards left exposed. Suddenly we faced a frantic further five minutes of stoppage time in which their keeper twice advance into our box for set pieces, and despite one or two hair raising moments Hamlet held out for the win.
I thought Chambers was magnificent at the back, Carew showed his best qualities in midfield without getting exposed as he sometimes does, and Thompson led the line with a blend of physical presence and clever touches. Frankly though it was a real team effort, the polar opposite of the dismal show at Wingate & Finchley only eleven days ago.
Team (3-4-1-2): Edwards - Onovwigun, Toure, Chambers (c) - Cook, Ferguson, Carew, Green - Banton - Clunis, Thompson. Subs: Akinyemi (for Thompson), Ming (for Cook), Baghuelou ((for Banton), Sardinha, Taylor (not used.)
Attendance: 3,002
