Stockport Stung by Brilliant Bees

After two tough fixtures ended in two defeats last week, South Manchester were determined to get back to winning ways. But with first team members Dean Colasurdo, Mark Ives, Tommy Sedgwick, Edward Holmes, Mike Blackwood and Vivek Tharaken all missing for various reasons, and Ashley Critten umpiring, the Bees could only manage to field eleven players.

With the limited numbers meaning a return to the more familiar 4-4-2 formation, the Bees wasted no time in trying to assert themselves on the game. And within three minutes Simon Lamb had given South Manchester the lead, coolly slotting home after a slick passing move. Within two minutes the lead was doubled, as another passing move found captain Gareth Hampton and he made no mistake with his shot. In the tenth minute, Stockport Bramhall struggled to clear a penalty corner, with the ball pin-balling around the D before falling to Sean Smith, who poked the ball under the keeper’s despairing dive. It wasn’t the last time the winger would be involved in the half, as just three minutes later he added a second to his tally.

The Bees were on a roll, pushing Stockport Bramhall back and eventually the pressure told, with Ant Rigby forcing the concession of a penalty corner, which was powerfully dispatched into the net by top goalscorer Richard Greenhough. Simon Lamb then added his second goal of the game in the 24th minute. Stockport Bramhall then enjoyed a period of possession and some strong defending was needed from both Alan Leonard and Mark Scholes. Richard Greenhough then added South Manchester’s seventh goal of the game with a carbon copy of his first.

South Manchester continued to press in the second half and their good work was rewarded eight minutes later as Gareth Hampton scored his second. Three minutes later Ant Rigby capitalised on a rebound from a Gareth Hampton shot to score his fourth goal of the season. Gareth Hampton then scored again to complete his hat-trick. Not to be outdone by his captain, Sean Smith then added his third of the game just a minute after that. Gareth Hampton then further increased the lead, deflecting a powerful shot from Patrick Souter into the roof of the net. Richard Greenhough then became the third South Manchester player to score a hat-trick.

Stockport Bramhall continued to attack, and nearly scored when a long ball evaded defender Sean Stewart, found an attacker in the area who evaded keeper Pete Lynch-Mathew who had charged out, but put his square ball just behind his attacking partner. This served as a reminder to the Bees that they could not let up, and after another attack down the left wing by Simeon Afonja, the ball fell to Simon Lamb, who calmly lifted the ball into the back of the net, becoming the fourth player to bag himself a hat-trick. There was still time for more goals, however, as first Sean Smith then Richard Greenhough added their fourth goals of the game.

The 16-0 final score didn’t flatter the Bees, who were outstanding in both attack and defence. The result marks the Bees highest ever win, highest winning margin and is the first time that four players have scored hat-tricks in one game.

Man of the match went to Sean Smith for his goals and assists, while Dick of the Day was somewhat harshly awarded to Gareth Hampton who, despite scoring four goals, missed a number of other chances.