Hamworthy United Reserves 0 Westland Sports 0
After a poor midweek performance against Poole Borough the Reserves returned to the sort form that they had shown in the first two games of the season. This was a battling display against the last year’s league winners who were never allowed to get on top, and dictate as they would have wished. There were several changes to the Wednesday’s line up with the return of the experienced Darren Orchard from his holiday, and Gary Clarke amongst others to strengthen the team. Dan Watts was brought in at left back for his first full game of the season, and he produced a very mature display with his excellent reading of the game, and his accurate distribution. The younger players all performed well in this very good all round team performance.
Westland looked physically bigger, and stronger than the Hammers, and probably had slightly the better of things for most of the first half. They were restricted however to only one or two clear cut chances by a resolute defence well marshalled by Darren Reeks, and ably assisted by Greg Horlock at the heart of the Hamworthy defence. The closest Sports came to scoring in the first half was a speculative cross come shot that bounced on the cross bar before going over. As the game progressed United came more into the game, but neither Joe Kittle, nor Barry Gerrard could get a telling shot in on goal despite all their hard work. The score therefore remained goalless at half time.
The second half was almost a carbon copy of the first with both defences on top. It did look however that Westland had broken the deadlock when a rare poor clearance from the Hammer’s defence was volleyed straight back past Gary Smart fifteen minutes into the half. The Assistant Referee however had spotted a Westland player stood in front of the United keeper, and raised his flag to prevent the goal from standing. Shortly afterwards the ball bobbed dangerously around the Home six yard box, and Greg Horlock did well to put the ball out for a corner to relieve the danger. As in the first half the Hammers came more into the game creating chances of their own, but were again unable to convert them into goals. The Referee played eight minutes of extra time as play switched from end to end as both teams went unsuccessfully in search of a winner. The score remained 0-0 at the final whistle to give the Reserves a well deserved point.
Hamworthy United G.Smart, R. Flower, D. Watts, G. Horlock, D. Reeks, G. Clarke (R. Norris), D. Orchard, K. Middleton, J. Kittle (G. Williams0, B.Gerrard (L. Stone), J. Crossin. Unused Subs: S. Griffiths, K. Killick