HAMWORTHY United boss Stewart Kearn hailed teenage goalkeeper Gerard Benfield following his stunning wonder save during their 1-1 draw at Lymington on Tuesday.

Benfield marked his Wessex Premier debut by pulling off a miraculous stop to keep out Declan McCarthy’s first-half bullet header from point-blank range.

Kearn turned to the 16-year-old after Dan Ackerman had declared himself unavailable due to work commitments and dual registered Shane Murphy had been called up by Dorchester.

Benfield’s heroics were matched by Lymington goalkeeper Stuart Williamson who produced a top-drawer save from Hammers captain Dom Allen’s ferocious volley in the second half.

Honours finished even in an entertaining contest which saw Russell Cook’s 75th-minute equaliser earn the visitors a share of the spoils after McCarthy had opened the scoring on the stroke of half-time.

Kearn, a goalkeeper during his playing days, told the Daily Echo: “I don’t think you will see too many better saves in the Wessex Premier this season. They were both great reaction saves of the highest quality.

“To get something on the header was an immense save by Gerard and it rounded off a good night for him. He commanded his area well and came through with flying colours.”

Kearn, who claimed his first away point since taking the reins last month, added: “They edged the first half and we edged the second. I don’t think either team could grumble too much with the result. Had it not been for the saves, it could have been 2-2 but I felt a draw was a fair reflection.”

Lymington: Williamson, Stacey, Man, Ritchie, Ansell, Rizzo, Kenna, Strickland, McCarthy (Rogers, 90), Roberts, Bockhart. Unused subs: R Jones, Tate, Marden, N Jones (g/k).

Hammers: Benfield, Walker, Cole, Legg, Horlock, Daysh, Allen, Blackburn, Warren, Cook, Miles (Corby, 70). Unused subs: Penny, Donachy.

Also in Wessex Premier, Jack Lovell hit Christchurch’s consolation in their 7-1 defeat at Winchester City, while Verwood Town suffered a 5-0 reverse at Blackfield & Langley.