Hammers 1 - Lymington Town 1 - Wessex Premier League

Last night’s game was an early opportunity for Phil Simkin’s side to bounce back from their luckless defeat on Saturday, when they welcomed in the New season at the County Ground.
A decent crowd turned out on a dark and overcast evening to witness an incentive display that could gain much needed points -

With local rivals Poole and Wimborne having already completed their first 2 fixtures with impressive intent, scoring Home wins with a combined goal tally of 16! already - 5 in the bag to date for last season’s top scorer Scott Joyce - and looking down from the top of the early leader board with 4 others on 6 points that must have marked the cards in their Club House’s must make the tee taste even sweeter!
Crossing the white line is a phrase best delivered by those teams that are prepared to make this season one of the best, and arguably most competitve to date.

-The Match:

‘Missing key players’, could wrap up this report in one line but that would take away the fact that 2 Clubs and 22 players took to the field in an attempt to post their intent for 2007/8.
The dark clouds decended over this event and the gloom hardly lifted all night for the Hammers and their supporters.
Lymington in this their first game of the season were fresh and eager to show the proof of Team rebuilding, and came here to win.
The first half on a well prepared but slightly slippery pitch exposed the weakness in the current united side that enabled the visitors to take an early advantage with a well taken goal.
Their play with controlled pace when it mattered, coupled with a good midfield unit, came from the back line with a patient and sustained build up that was very effective.
In contrast, the wild and sometimes cavalier attitude and blend in play offered as a repost was lacking in organised effort.
Mickey Hubbard did his best to sew the midfield but the eye of the needle needed a better thread in which to work properly.
Martin Peters saving everyone’s blushes with his penalty stop must have given the dressing room an air of atmosphere that added spice to the half-time team talk!

At the break: Hammers 0 - 1 Lymington.

A game of two halves was an optimistic hope that never materialised until much later in the game that would prove to be one of those football nights.
The pattern of play was a repitition of the first ‘45′ except for the growing beleif in the Lymington camp that fitness and team bonding may take a few more games to reach their abilities and peak.
Only poor finishing and the possible wet surface hindering an increased score line that was beginning to embarass the United faithful that showed no resembalance to a very good and optimistic pre-season.
With options limited and a bench that offered little in the way of suitable substitution something had to change. It did, but could it change the game?
There are never enough options when your missing the likes of Swann, Chivers, Dean, Woolfendon etc - all out injured.
Jason Lovell could not bring his vast experience to bear on the outcome and was replaced by Dan Baguely with the young and promising Matt Grimason coming on for the injured Steve Gilbert.
The reshuffle meant that Hubbard was pushed out to the right and Grimason slotted in to a sort of combi- midfield/defensive position.
Areas of width and movement quickly started to develop with Mickey Hubbard standing out with some good pace and breathtaking crosses that would not have looked out of place in the ‘Glenn Hoddle’ scrapbook.
There was nothing cheap about his new found space - and arguably his best position - sending in deliveries that had been missing. Strikers need Service.A slogan which Mr.Joyce feeds on.
Things began to open up a little when the ball was whipped in that found Carl Mutch in a crowded area and his shot somehow found the back of the net.
A straight Red Card for a last man offence resulted in Brett Williams being given his marching orders from Referee Mr.Byfield, and the poor direct free kick awarded was a lucky escape from further punishment that could have had a bearing on the final outcome.
The spectator lost count of the chances at both ends, the best for the Home side hit with the outside of Dan Baguely’s boot narowly going past the wrong side of the post.
As the gloom of the evening ended at the final whistle so the reflections started on what might have been.
Picking up the pieces of this disappointing night will be down to the Management team in time for a swift return to the footballing fray on Saturday AWAY at newcomers Hayling United.
Another mid-week HOME game here next Wednesday v New Milton Town as a 6 pointer challenge looms high on the horizon.
We would ask our supporters to get behind the Management and players at Phil & Chris’s disposal and wish Jack Swann and Carl Chivers all the best in their respective recovery period’s.
Let’s stay United -

Tonight’s Team/squad was: Peters, Kenway, Gilbert(Grimason) Williams, Walker, Legg, Charmichael, Hubbard, Mutch, Lovell (Baguley), Jackson, unused
subs: Smart, Horlock, Stickland.

Hamworthy United have never won at Westwood Park having only drawn there on one previous meeting, so this was never going to be an easy game. Cowes had only one change from last year’s team whereas the Hammers had only two players from the corresponding fixture last year. United once again made a slow start to the game, and were soon on the defensive. One or two of the Hamworthy players were having trouble with their footing, and it was from one such slip that Cowes took an early lead. Mark Kenway appeared to be in control when he slipped allowing his man to go past him, and move the ball inside. United were slow to close their men down, and following a quick passing move Charlie Smeeton smashed the ball past Martin Peters to give the Yachtsmen a five minute lead. Within a minute the Hammers should have been all square when Richard Jackson broke away, and was brought down in the box for a penalty. Dan Baguely took the kick only to hit it at a comfortable height for the Keeper to save.

Hamworthy gradually got into the game and although Cowes always looked dangerous going forward, at times also looked vulnerable at the back. United were not having the best of luck with their finishing, and twice beat the keeper only to see the ball rebound off the crossbar once, and saw it cleared off the goal line by a defender in a last ditch clearance on another occasion. The score remained 1-0 at the interval, although it could easily have been a different story had the Hammers taken their chances. United came out after the break, and controlled the game for the fist twenty minutes of the second half. A brilliant save from a Steve Gilbert far post header by Gary Streeter in the Cowes goal prevented Hamworthy from being deservedly back on equal terms. Once again United were made to pay the price of a missed chance as within a minute Cowes went two up. The Hammers were all caught up field by a quick break, and the ball found Ashley Wright the new signing from neighbours Newport. The experienced Striker brushed past Mark Kenway, the only Hamworthy defender in their half. He then drew the Keeper and slipped the ball past him, and into the corner of the net for a top class finish. Hamworthy still had their chances, but you knew it was not their day when another bullet header from Nathan Walker went inches wide when many in the crowd thought he had scored.

Martin Peters did well to smother the ball as Cowes threatened to get a third, and a score that they really did not deserve, but it remained unchanged at the end at 2-0. Their were a few disappointed people on the journey home, but in one way it is a good game to get out of the way, as not many teams will pick up points at Westwood this season, and Hamworthy know that they can play better.

Hamworthy United M. Peters, M. Kenway, S. Gilbert, B. Williams, N. Walker (capt) M. Dean, S. Legg, M. Hubbard, R. Dovell, D. Baguely, (J.Lovell 62) R. Jackson, (C. Mutch 72) Unused Subs: Greg Horlock, Matt Grimascon, G. Smart

Hamworthy United more than matched their opposition from three leagues higher for much of the game. It was not until the last quarter of the game that Dorchester took the lead, and that from a scrappy goal which at that time they hardly deserved. Dorchester set off at a high pace rattling the cross bar early on, and the Hammers were at full stretch to contain them for the opening ten minutes. Hamworthy gradually got into the game and got their own passing game going with Jack Swann and Dan Baguely combining well to give the Town defenders plenty to think about.

United took the lead after 14minutes when Micky Hubbard found Steve Gilbert on the right of the goal. He looped the ball over the keeper into the far top corner of the net. United’s lead was short lived because within a minute the Magpies were level. A quick break down the middle finished with the front man giving Gary Smart in goal no chance with a fierce drive. The Hammers were not to be put off and continued to play some flowing football and were rewarded once again by taking the lead from another Micky Hubbard dangerous cross. The United midfielder one again found Steve Gilbert who this time turned provider for Captain Nathan Walker to drive home. United should have increased their lead when they struck the cross bar from close range when it looked easier to score, but the score remained 2-1 at the interval.

The Hammers continued to have more than a fair share of the second half, and despite their best efforts Dorchester could not break through a very well organised defence. This was until the last quarter of the game when two lapses in as many minutes allowed the Town to equalise, and then take the lead. The first a tame looking shot found the back of the net much to many onlookers surprise. The second followed shortly after when a striker ran into the box unchallenged. His weak looking shot was left by both the keeper and Micky Hubbard in a goal line mix up. The ball just about found the back of the net to put Dorchester in front for the first time in the match. Hamworthy’s disappointment was further added to when the still dangerous Jack Swann had to leave the field, and go to hospital with a dislocated shoulder. The Town finished with a flurry but the home side prevented any increase in the score line before the end of play. This was a very creditable performance by the Wessex League side.

Bridport has not been a very happy hunting ground over the last few seasons for the Hammers, none more so than the 3-1 defeat in the Senior Cup last season. To-day however they never looked like losing the game Bridport being restricted to only two real shots on target. New signing Gary Smart was once again in goal, Martin Peters having still not recovered from his injury. Greg Horlock gave another first class performance filling in for the rested Bret Williams and hardly put a foot wrong in the entire game.

Hamworthy were in control of most of the early play, but were finding it difficult get their passing game of recent matches going. The very hot conditions did not help and there still looked to be a few players with tired legs from previous games for United that tended to hit more long balls than they have been recently. The Home side were restricted to a few long shots most of which were off target. Hamworthy took the lead after 30minutes when the impressive Mark Kenway crossed from the right, and found Jack Swann in the six yard box after Dan Baguely had gone up with the Keeper. The ex-Poppy made it 3 goals in his last 3 games with a simple tap in from three yards. Soon after Gary Smart had to be very aware when he had to make a good save from a rare Bridport strike from the edge of the box which he dealt with comfortably. The score remained 1-0 at the break.

The second half followed much the same pattern as the first with United always having the upper hand without always making the final ball tell. Their plight was not helped by Jack Swann and Richard Jackson being regularly manhandled off the ball before it even reached them, and receiving no protection from the man in black. Nathan Walker made the score more creditable when he climbed unmarked at the far post to head home from a corner. Jack Swann should have put the score beyond doubt when he broke clear one on one with the Keeper, but hesitated too long and the chance went begging. Gary Smart made his second good save of the match when he dived and palmed a low fierce shot from just inside the penalty area away to safety. The Hammers were unable to get the third goal they probably deserved, but it was another good work out, and another win against a team that were certainly no worse than that of last year

Hamworthy United: G.Smart, M. Kenway, G, Horlock, N. Walker, S. Gilbert, M. DeanC. Much, S. Legg, D. Baguely, J. Swann, R. Jackson, R. Dovell, M. Hubbard, R. Carmichael, R. Middleton.

Here is a of the new stand plans. We will be posting more information about the development over the coming season.

Irvin Brown Memorial Fund
 
List of Donors
 
Mary Mitchener
Peter Gallop
Bill Miles
Ron Fisher
Bill Roberts
Ethel Cruickshank
Roger Nicholson
Les Kearley
John Barham
Laurie Roberts
Andy Stevens
Bruce Scammell
David Manuel
Stan Wallis
Graham Legg & Rita Lydon Jenkins
Sue & Russell Granger
Howard Fry
Mark Nicholson
Zoe Clare
Sammy-Jo Walters
Mathew Clare
Emma Jane Walters
Mike Russell
Steve Mitchener
Roland Albone
Emily Mason- Byrne & Ian Hansford
Tony Banks
Jackie Horwood
Steve Ehrhart
Hamworthy Recreation Club
Jack Bellows
Jack & June Russell
The Bankes Charity

All Players, Organisers & Donators concerned with the Irvin Brown Match

Total raised so far: £14,023.14

This was another highly entertaining match in which both sides played good football and played the game in the right spirit. Phil Simpkin was still not back from his business trip, and so Chris Farrell was again in charge of the Hammers side.

Chris was forced to make a few changes from the team that faced Portsmouth due to injuries and holidays, but this was still a very strong side that took to the field. United as perhaps expected began the stronger of the two teams in the opening quarter of the game and appeared to be in control of the game.

It therefore came as a bit of a surprise when the Hamworthy defence hesitated in clearing the ball, and allowed Wayne Hole the time to put the Dorset Premier Side 1-0 up with a well taken shot. The goal boosted Ham Rec’s confidence and they passed the ball around well between themselves, but they were not to hold their lead for very long.

Jason Lovell levelled the score when he pounced in the six yard area to nod home a loose ball and score the first of his three goals. Another piece of slack defensive work allowed Mike Notley to get to the goal line before knocking the ball back perfectly into the path of Tom Willis. The Ex-Hammer Youth man made no mistake with a shot that gave Martin Peters in the Home goal no chance. Although behind, United continued to play good football, and Jason Lovell brought the best out of his old team mate Kevin Leonard. The veteran Keeper brought out a string of good saves to prevent Jason from getting his second.

New signing Carl Chivers also worked hard up front and was rewarded when he opened his account for the Hammers with a shot across the goal that flew into the top corner to make it 2-2 and all square. The Home side took the lead for the first time shortly before the interval. This time Jason Lovell managed to squeeze the ball past Leonard, and just inside the post to give the Hammers a half time lead. The Rec once again proved what a difficult side they will be to beat this season when they again drew level through Cris Riddler soon after the break.

Both teams made changes, but the Wessex League side began to make their fitness tell and gradually got on top as the second half developed. Jason Lovell collected his hat trick poaching another goal in the six yard box where he is so effective. Mike Hubbard completed the scoring with the goal of the match. He picked up the ball on the far right and thundered a shot in off the underside of the cross bar, and past the keeper before he had chance to move let alone save. The last ten minutes was all United and the Rec did well to ensure there was no further scoring before the end of the game with Dan Baguely and Mike Hubbard both going close for the Hammers. On this display both teams will be good to watch in the coming season, and difficult to beat. It will take a very good side to prevent Hamworthy Recreation winning the Dorset Premier, and a top six finish for the Hammers is looking a distinct possibility.

Hamworthy United play Dorchester Town in a re-aranged fixture on Monday 6th August Ko 7-45pm at the County Ground Hamworthy.