Dorset County Youth League, 23rd September

A convincing first half display was the foundation for this victory, with the Hammers imposing themselves on the opposition from the first whistle. 

Goals from James Dyer, who sent the ball sailing over the Stourpaine keeper from over 25 yards out, and a ‘cool’ penalty from Charlie Gajic, gave the Hamworthy youngsters a deserved 2-0 first half lead. The penalty being the result of a clever inter-change of passes between Craig Barnett and full-back Mark Seal, which ended with the latter being fouled in the box, leaving the referee with no choice but to point to the spot. 

The second half saw the Hammers defend with confidence and create several more chances to score, as they comfortably went away with the three points their performance deserved. 

Team: Gillingham, Seal, Basing, Dyer, MacDonald, Smith, Barnett (Tunnicliffe), Watson (Norris), Haskell (O’Reilly) Gajic, Grimason 

South West Counties Youth League, 22nd September

This victory that took the Hamworthy youngsters to the top the table was achieved on the back of possibly their poorest performance to date – a good sign if the team can win so comprehensively when playing below par!
A hat-trick and inspired overall display by striker Dean Macklin was the key to taking the three points, after Stroud had taken an early lead following a sloppy start to the match by the visitors.
However, an improved display leading up to halftime resulted in an equalising own goal, when Dean Macklin latched onto a quick free kick to drive in a cross that was deflected into his own net by a Stroud defender. Dean Macklin then made it 2-1 just before the halftime whistle with a neat finish in the box.
Hamworthy then went on to dominant the majority of the second half, with Dean Macklin scoring two further goals. His third being the goal of the game (if not the season so far) when he ran from deep in his own half, drifting past numerous Stroud defenders, before calmly side-footing his shoot into the bottom corner of the net.
Team: Gillingham, Smith (Gajic), Cole, Byrne (Dyer), MacDonald, Chappell, Holden, Norris, Reavenall-Nuete, Macklin (Watson), Cooper-Blayney

Dorset County Youth League, Sunday, 16^th Sept 2007

The match started with Weymouth settling the better of the two sides, moving the ball quicker, as some of the Hamworthy players looked jaded from their exploits of Saturday (football or otherwise!). The visitors taking a deserved early lead after a defensive lapse conceded possession to the lively Terras frontline. 

However, the Hamworthy forwards still posed a threat and a similar defensive error lead to Luke Stone stealing possession, before placing his shot neatly into the bottom corner to restore parity. The teams going in at halftime level at 1-1. 

The second half saw the introduction of striker Mike Haskell for the injured Craig Barnett, the youngster going on to produce a match winning performance, which included two goals that put the Hammers into a 3-1 lead. The first of which followed an incisive move that saw the forward eventually place a left footed drive low past the keeper, with the second being a right footed tap in following a strong run and cross by Luke Stone. 

With Jack Smith failing a late fitness, that left the team with only two substitutes (both of which had been used), the combination of injuries late in the game (that reduced the Hammers to only ten men) and fatigue following the previous day’s match, let Weymouth back into the game. It was, therefore, no surprise when the Terras scored a second goal, this time with an excellent drive from the edge of the box. 

Hamworthy, however, held out to take maximum points and continue there 100% record in both the SWCYL and DCYFL. 

Team: Gillingham, Holden (Reavenall-Nuete), Cole, Dyer, MacDonald, Chappell, O’Reilly, Grimason (Capt.), Stone, Gajic, Barnett (Haskell)

F.A Vase 2nd Qualifying Round

Hamworthy United dominated this game against their opponents from the Western Division one from start to finish. Even with a few tired legs left over from Wednesday nights hard replay against Bishops Cleeve, there was never any danger of a slip up, as can so often happen in these games. The match started with Jack Swann in the line up albeit on the bench for the first time since the friendly against Dorchester when he was injured.
As you would expect Hamworthy took the game straight to Elmore who defended in depth as the Hammers attacked in numbers. United opened the scoring after a few near misses in the nineteenth minute. United were awarded a free kick taken by Mickey Hubbard, and for the third game running he found Steve Gilbert  in the six yard box to knock the ball home, and open the scoring. The remainder of the half consisted of Hamworthy doing most of the attacking and Elmore defending stoutly. When the visitors did get into the United half they were comfortably dealt with by the home defenders, and Martin Peters had only a few long shots to deal with. The Western League side must have been relieved to go in at half time only one down, as Hamworthy failed to turn their superiority into goals.
As the game progressed in the second half the Hammers began to exert even more pressure, starting with a Mickey Hubbard free kick which the Keeper did well to push over. When United did eventually increase their lead it was from an own goal as Nathan Walker pressurised a defender into finding his own net. Six minutes later Carl Mutch added a third this time from a Steve Gilbert cross, he then gave way to bring Jack Swann on to play. Hamworthy’s last goal with fifteen minutes remaining could well end up as the goal of the season. Mickey Hubbard’s pin point cross from the wide right wing was hit on the volley by Carl Chivers standing on the penalty spot past the Keeper giving him little chance to see the ball let alone save it.
The score remained at 4-0 which probably should have been doubled, but that would not have been fair on Elmore who defended bravely at times, and worked hard to keep the score down.
The Hammers now meet Bishop Abbot in the next round on 6^th October at the County Ground at 3.00pm.
Hamworthy United M.Peters, S. Gilbert, M. Grimason, B. Williams, N. Walker (Capt), R. Dovell (R. Middleton), S. Legg, M. Hubbard, C. Mutch (C. Chivers), W. Byerley (J. Swann), R. Jackson. Unused Subs, Greg Horlock.

South West Counties Youth League, Saturday, 15th SeptemberThe second part of this double-header against the Poole Town Under 18’s (after the previous Sunday’s 1-0 win for HUFC in the DCYFL) proved to be a comprehensive performance of pace, power and also some incisive finishing by the Hamworthy youngsters. The Hammers were three nil up by halftime following goals from Jim Crossin, a powerful drive on the angle from 15 yards out, Lorne Cooper-Blayney with a stooping header at the far post off a long throw set piece, and Josh Reavenall-Nuete pouncing in the six-yard box to tap in a parried cross from the right by Jim Crossin. In the second half Poole often kept possession well (as they did for spells in the first half) without ever really threatening the Hammers goal, but were always suspect to swift counter attacks as the game became stretched due to the heat. From one such attack Josh Reavenall-Nuete swooped on another handling error by the Poole Town keeper to then take the ball around him before slotting home from a tight angle. Poole then scored a consolation goal after a defensive mix up, Phil Kellaway making a fine save in the Hamworthy goal, but unable to prevent the following being put away, before substitute Charlie Gajic restored the Hammers four goal advantage when he headed home a cross from the right at the far post.

Team: Kellaway, Seal, Cole, Byrne, MacDonald (Capt.), Chappell, Crossin (Holden), Norris, Reavenall-Nuete, Macklin (Gajic), Cooper-Blayney (Stone)

F.A, Cup First Qualifying Round Replay

After a long three and a half hour trek up to Cheltenham, the Hammers put on their best team performance in many years to overcome Bishops Cleve against all the odds. A very difficult gale force wind blew down the pitch ensuring that this was going to be a game of two halves. Speaking to some of the locals they said that this was not an uncommon occurrence, and that the home side were used to these conditions so giving them an even bigger advantage.
Hamworthy had slightly the better of things in the early stages, but neither keeper was extended. United however with the wind at their backs gradually raised their game, and put Alex Hard the home keeper under more pressure. As in the first game he looked vulnerable to crosses and this was soon to be proved correct.  United were awarded a free kick after thirty five minutes when Ryan Dovell was brought down just outside the left hand side of the penalty box. Micky Hubbard once again found Steve Gilbert at the far post to head home an almost identical goal to the one that opened our scoring in the first match. The Hammers tried to increase their lead before the break, but had to be content with a 1-0 advantage that did not look enough in the prevailing playing conditions.
As expected the second half proved a very different proposition to that of the first, with Bishops Cleve going on an all out attack from the whistle. United defended in depth as a team, with Keeper Martin Peters and his defence putting in some outstanding performances. Carl Mutch and Warren Byerley still offered the occasional threat up front as the Hammers attempted to hit Bishops Cleve on the break. The Home side bombarded the Hamworthy goal with crosses, and long throws, but there was always a body or head in the way to prevent them from scoring. Martin Peters had to bravely dive at a player’s feet on a couple occasions. He was at full stretch to prevent a freak bounce of the ball from a block tackle by Matt Grimason going in. These apart the Hammers Keeper never looked like being beaten despite Bishops Cleve’s complete dominance of the half. The British Gas Business side looked more and more frustrated as the game came towards the end with every Hammer playing his part to ensure that the narrow lead was maintained to the end.
It was a very late, but happy return coach trip to Dorset after the game, with a very proud, management team, club officials supporters and team on board. We now look forwarded to extending the dream a little further when we take on Eastleigh from the Blue Square Southern League in the next round. Eastleigh play three leagues above us in The FA structure and so are firm favourites to win the game at the County Ground by a mile, but sometimes miracles do happen.
Hamworthy United M.Peters, S. Gilbert, R. Jackson, B. Williams, N. Walker (Capt), M. Dean (M. Grimason), S. Legg, M. Hubbard, C. Mutch, W. Byerley, R. Dovell. Unused Subs Carl Chivers, Greg Horlock, R. Middleton.

FA Youth Cup Preliminary Round

What a match and what a debut for Hamworthy United in this competition!  A ‘typical’ cup tie with the underdogs, on a sloping pitch, eventually going onto triumph by the narrowest of margins 11-10 in a penalty shoot out. Gillingham advancing into the next round after 21 of 22 penalties were converted, before the second of the goalkeepers (the aptly named James Gillingham) missed his spot kick to send the home side into jubilant celebration.  Gillingham Town started slightly the brighter, kicking down the slope, with the Hammers still getting a long day and journey to North Dorset out of their system. After some early scares (often self-inflicted) the match began to sway towards the Hamworthy youngsters, with forwards Josh Reavenall-Nuete and Dean Macklin posing a regular threat to the Gillingham defence. By halftime, however, it was evident that to win this match the Hammers were going to have to raise there game. 

F.A, Cup First Qualifying Round

The Hamworthy United Team did the Club, and the Sydenhams Wessex Premier League proud when they fought back from being two nil down in under twenty minutes to get a draw. In fact the Hammers found the net twice more in the second half only to have the goal disallowed by the Assistant Referee’s raised flag. It now means a long trip up to Gloucestershire on Wednesday night for the replay for Phil Simkin and the team.
Bishop Cleve put Hamworthy on the back foot right from the kick off, and Martin Peters was soon called into action with a diving save to divert the ball out for a corner. The game was only ten minutes old when the Visitors took the lead. Lee Davis was put through one on one with the advancing keeper, and kept his head to find the corner of the net with a low drive. Things were to get even worse for United nine minutes later when they dropped even further behind to a well taken goal by midfielder James Bayliffe. The Hammers to their credit did not let their heads drop and gradually got back into the game as the half progressed. They were rewarded with a goal shortly before half time when they were awarded a free kick out wide on the right. Steve Gilbert made a late run to the far post to nod the ball past the despairing Alex Hards in the Bishop Cleve goal to make it 2-1 at the interval.
Hamworthy came out with renewed confidence in the second half and within four minutes had levelled the tie, Steve Legg scoring from close range. Play went from end to end with both teams looking for the winner but now the Hammers were more than holding their own. Twice in this period the Home side thought they had scored only to have the goals struck off, and it was Bishops Cleve who retook the lead after sixty six minutes. Luke Corbett took advantage of some hesitancy in the Hammers defence to give The British Gas Business Southen League side the lead again, but once again Hamworthy fought their way back. This time Warren Byerley, who with fellow striker Carl Mutch had caused Bishops Cleve problems all afternoon ran on to a dangerous cross to fire home at the far post to bring the match all square, The remaining ten minutes was played out with no further addition to the score and both teams probably relieved with the draw.
Hamworthy United M.Peters, S. Gilbert, M. Grimason (R. Jackson), B. Williams, N. Walker (Capt), M. Dean, S. Legg, M. Hubbard, C. Mutch, W. Byerley, R. Dovell. Unused Subs Carl Chivers, Greg Horlock, Dan, Baguely, R. Middleton

HAMWORTHY UTD 6 BLACKFIELD & LANGLEY 0

This could have been a very difficult game for the Hammers, but unlike some of our cup games against opposition from a lower league in the past, we came through with flying colours.
For the first quarter Blackfield & Langley although mainly on the defensive did try to make a game of it, but this was not to last. After eighteen minutes a long clearance from defence found Steve Legg who rounded the Keeper to open the scoring. Carl Mutch added a second twelve minutes later when he latched on to a Steve Gilbert pass to score. A high ball had to be turned over by Martin Peters as it dipped under the bar in a rare threat to the United goal, but there was to be no further scoring before the break.
The second period was to be completely dominated by Hamworthy who were much quicker, and combined much better than their opposition scoring regularly throughout the half. Nathan Walker was the first to add to the score firing home a low cross again provided by Steve Gilbert. United’s fourth goal was to follow shortly afterwards when a Blackfield & Langley player under pressure from Carl Mutch headed a Mike Hubbard corner past his own keeper for an Own Goal.  The visiting keeper then made three great saves within the space of as many minutes to keep the score respectable. He could do nothing to stop goal number five however when he was beaten by a Ryan Dovell header following a great run to the far post. Carl Chivers who had earlier replaced Michael Dean completed the scoring. He picked up the ball out wide on the left and went on a long run into the box before drawing the Keeper and scoring from an acute angle, for a great goal. The Game was marred when Jimmy Edwards was shown a red card within a minute of coming on for alleged violent conduct shortly before the end.
The Hammers are now away to Stockbridge who beat Shaftesbury 3-1 in the next round, the date to be arranged.
Hamworthy United M.Peters, S. Gilbert, M. Grimason, B. Williams, N. Walker (Capt), M. Dean (Carl Chivers), S. Legg (C. Ross Jennings), M. Hubbard, C. Mutch, W. Byerley (J. Edwards), R. Dovell.  

Dorset County Youth League.

This was a very well contested local derby that acted as prelude to the South West Counties Youth League match scheduled for this coming Saturday, 15^th September (10.30am Kick Off). 

The match was played at Turlin Moor on a junior size pitch, which perhaps stifled the passing football of which both teams are capable of playing.  The first half was fairly even in terms of possession, but with perhaps the Hammers creating the better openings. The Poole back line often defending in depth and making some last ditch tackles and interceptions to prevent clear cut goal scoring opportunities. 

However, two substitutions and a change of formation from 4-3-3 to 4-4-2, at halftime, provided the Hamworthy youngsters with much better width and they went on to dominant the second half. The winner being scored by Luke Stone after he tapped in a miss hit drive from Joe Byrne from a cross by Jim Crossin.  Both goalkeepers then took centre stage with the Poole Town keeper making several stops to defy Hamworthy a score line that reflected their second half dominance, before two late efforts to equalise were kept out by the excellent James Gillingham in the Hamworthy goal.  Gillingham, Holden, Cole, Dyer, MacDonald, Smith, Watson (O’Reilly), Grimason (Capt.), Haskell (Crossin), Tunnicliffe (Byrne), Stone