Hamworthy United 2 - New Milton Town 1 (22/08/07)
Hamworthy United 2 - New Milton Town 1 (22/08/07)The Hammers plundered all three points in the final minute of a game marred by a strong wind, and a serious injury to a New Milton player. The game was held up for a half hour whilst the player was treated on the pitch for a serious jaw, and possible neck injury before being taken to hospital. Good football was made difficult by a very strong wind blowing diagonally across the pitch from corner to corner, and this resulted in the ball being in the air for a lot of the time. Most of the play for the first quarter was in the visitor’s half, but their goal never really came under serious threat as United pumped long balls forward in the hope that Jason Lovell, or Warren Byerley could get on the end of them. As the half progressed New Milton came more into the game, and forced the save of the match from Martin Peters when at full stretch he tipped over a shot destined for the top corner of the net.
With neither team able to create much in front of goal the score remained 0-0 at the break. The second period began as the first with the Hammers on top. The experienced Mark Watson in the Town goal dealt well with a number of crosses, as he came under real pressure for the first time in the game. This however was not to last as New Milton raised their game, and began to stretch the Hamworthy defence by using the full width of the pitch. They should have taken the lead when they were awarded a penalty when Nathan Walker clipped the heels of a Town attacker making him stumble. The resulting spot kick was poorly taken, and missed the goal by some way, luckily for Martin Peters who had dived the wrong way. Play was halted soon after for the injury to the New Milton Player as he and a Hamworthy Defender accidentally collided going for the ball. The Visitors looked the better side after the long break, and took the lead in the 70th minute. A long cross from the far right hit the underside of the bar, and dropped at the feet of the unmarked New Milton man. He was only a yard out and had only to knock the ball over the line to score. Any celebrations were short lived however for within a minute Hamworthy were level. Warren Byerley cut cleverly into the area teasing his defender into a careless challenge that brought him down for a penalty. The striker got up to take the kick himself giving Mark Watson no chance to save. New Milton were still giving the United defence plenty to think about, but were unable to finish off their good approach work with a goal.
With just one minute of the game remaining Byerley was again needlessly fouled just outside the box, and right in front of goal. Micky Hubbard’s well struck free kick was pushed up onto the bar by Watson, but the alert Dan Baguely was the first to get on to the rebound and crashed the ball home for the winner. New Milton probably went home disappointed at getting nothing out of the game especially after missing the penalty, but as Hamworthy found to their cost many times last season the game lasts ninety minutes and if you do not take your chances you do not win.
Hamworthy United M. Peters, S. Gilbert, M. Grimason ( R. Dovell), B. Williams, N. Walker (Capt), M. Kenway, S. Legg, M. Hubbard, J. Lovell (D. Baguely), W.Byerley, R. Jackson. Unused Subs C. Much, C. Ross Jennings, R. Middleton.