A Callum Sweeney second half penalty not enough for New Street, who were beaten 4-1 by a strong Hamble Club side, competing in the Sydenham Premier Division, in the Hampshire Senior Cup.

Expectedly so, it was the home who started off the strongest. Hamble’s Brett Stanley found himself with room to strike well but his effort was saved by Alex Thompson, who like Jazz Beavis and Gary Thorne was making his first appearance of the season.

Oliver Yates, just back from his frolics in Ibiza, started off brightly and gave his marker Matt Troon a torrid time throughout the game. Yates created half chance but his shot was blocked well.

Hamble however continued to pile on the pressure. The constant threat of Doug Rowe and James Thomson on the Street defence would eventually lead to the first goal of the evening. A cross from Ricky Bull was met by an unmarked Nick Watts and his volley was struck cleanly giving Thompson no chance.

This spell continued for Hamble and it was Jack Barnes to bring the next save from Thompson with a 20 yard effort.

Street’s midfield began to get themselves into the game with some neat passes and tough tackling. Jamie Pollard unfortunate on one of his challenges, received a yellow card to bring his tally to a red and 2 yellow cards so far for the season.

Street had to make an early substitution as Wade Crisp was replaced with youngster Jordan Pettergell after a hamstring injury shorted his game for the night.

Nic Turpin was next on the chances tally. The New Street front man managed to make himself some room to shoot but his strike went the wrong side of the post and didn’t trouble Hamble’s keeper, Sam Webb.

Webb did save well from a Callum Sweeney effort. The Street midfielder managed to dance round 2 defenders with some great footwork and let fly from 25 yards but the keeper was there to deny the away team.

Yates was next for Street. After a long pacey run the wingman with just Webb to beat, Yates seemed to slow the play down giving the Hamble defence a chance to get back and clear. The ball then found its way to Casson Spencer but he failed to hit the target.

It was Sweeney who found his way into book next, for a slightly mistimed tackle. The resulting free kick was struck to the far post and was met yet again by an unmarked Hamble player. This time it was Prince McLean who found the back of the net with an easy header.

With 2 minutes of the second goal, Street found themselves 3 nil behind. Street’s midfield appeared to be waiting for the referee to blow the half time whistle which allowed Ben Kemplen and free shot at goal from around 30 yards. The ball crashed in off the bar, above Thompson, taking the home side into halftime with a 3 goal margin.

Street started the second half the better of the 2 sides. Strong words from manager John Smith seemed to spice up the away side and give some self-belief to have a go at the Premier Division side.

Spencer neatly kept a volley down but was saved by Webb and substitute Zac Hine, coming on for injured Josh Wilson Street, seemed to up the pace and pester the Hamble defence.

On the next play, Spencer managed to get in front of his marker with some great skill and was tripped inside the box. Sweeney stepped up and slotted the ball into the bottom corner and give Street a small chance to get back into the game.

Beavis was next to come on and enter the fray as Turpin departed after putting in a hard-working shift up front on his own.

Hamble however would be the next team to score. A goal was disallowed for the home team from what seemed like a push in the box but after a New Street mix up front man Thomson found himself 1-on-1 and finished well to give back his side, the 3 goal cushion.

Street kept the pace up though and came close twice in succession. A Yates corner was met by Hine who headed wide and then Yates himself hit the side netting from close range.

Yates was then put through with just Webb to beat. The Hamble keeper came out of his box and seemed to handle the ball at Yates’ feet. The referee felt this was obstruction and Webb would be replaced from the incident with a shoulder injury with outfield player Dan Cox taking the gloves.

The sub keeper would save well 5 minutes later as Street’s Man of the Match Sweeney hit well from just outside the box. Cox then punched away from a dangerous Yates cross.

The away side seemed to begin to tire which opened the game into end to end mode. Thorne crossed well for Street but no players waiting in the box to finish and Stanley struck well for Hamble but was saved by Thompson.

The final chance of the game would fall to Yates. Yates made a wonderful first touch which took him past McLean. He then smashed the ball across the face of the goal. The ball hit the post and then bounced out to safety.

Final whistle blew and Hamble progressed to the next round.

Street will be back in league action this Saturday as the face US Portsmouth away and then on Tuesday night they are at Romsey.