Dejected Brading players leave the field after the Hamworthy defeat, from left, Ollie Wilson, Scott Lawson, Phil McDonald and Dean Stuber. Picture by MAVIS SIDDONS.
FOOTBALL Brading Town 2, Hamworthy Utd 3
BRADING were sent crashing down to Division 1 of the Sydenhams Wessex League last Thursday night, relinquishing a 1-0 lead and failing to get the win they so desperately needed.
Everything rested on this game — the Romans needed at least a point to stay up, after New Milton Town grabbed a draw in their final match to go level on points with Brading, but above them on goal difference.
Hamworthy went into the game with just 12 players, including two from their youth team, and made a bright start. However, it was Brading who were celebrating first, when Jordan BROWNE netted from their first attack.
But Hamworthy were not behind for long, when Lee Chudy equalised for the visitors. He was on target again before the break, with a great strike that gave Brading goalie Rob Hull no chance.
In the second half, and with the slope in their favour, Brading hunted for an equaliser and after 25 minutes of pressure, gained the goal they so desperately needed, when Scott LAWSON netted.
However, Brading let Hamworthy back in straight away, and just a minute after the restart, the mainlanders took the lead once more, Luke Burbidge’s shot deflected off a Brading defender and into the net.
Brading battled hard to find a third goal but Hamworthy held on to take the points, and send Brading down.
Brading Town: Hull, Quigley, Stuber, Fleming, Ford, Younie, Lawson, Wilson, Browne, McDonald, Hart. Subs: Woods, Collins, Woodnutt, Hawyard, Icke.