HAMBLEDEN ran out 4-2 winners away to Lane End on Saturday in the Wycombe and District League, a result that leaves them second in the table at the end of the year.

The visitors started the match brightly without creating too many chances but it was Lane End who took the lead on seven minutes as a free kick was curled into the penalty area and goalkeeper Ross Hathaway, calling for the ball, misjudged it just to see it bounce under his body and across the line.

Hambleden lifted their game and within three minutes had equalised after a run an cross from the right-hand side by Dean Kemp who found Lewis Brown at the far post whose controlled header left the Lane End goalkeeper stranded.

Defender James Rodrigues twisted an ankle and was replaced by Ozzy Dawson. On 42 minutes a quick throw to Chris Brunning at the back caught him off guard and he held on to the ball for too long as a quick thinking Lane End forward nicked it off the Hambleden player and rounded the goalkeeper to put his side 2-1 up at the interval.

Hambleden, kicking downhill, started the second half with a high tempo and within eight minutes of the restart Ben Chivers picked up a loose ball on the edge of the penalty area and fired the ball on to the underside of the bar and into the back of the net to equalise.


Simon Hathaway was introduced for Johnny Mallett and using his pace could have scored with his first touch but only managed to place the ball wide. Hambleden took the lead when Brown scored his second of the match with a good finish under the onrushing keeper. Brunning received the ball from the outside the box and drilled the ball into the corner of the net to wrap up the scoring and three points for the visitors.

Published 24/12/12