Willand Rovers 2 Hamworthy United 3
FA Cup Preliminary Round
Two well taken first half strikes by Carl Mutch set Hamworthy on the path to record a second away win in two years over Western Premier League high fliers Willand Rovers in the FA Cup. Gosport gave permission for on loan striker Warren Byerley to play in this tie, and this allowed Phil Simkin to play a more attacking line up with Carl Mutch joining Warren up front, a move that was to pay rich dividends.
Hamworthy began the game very brightly taking the game to their opponents from the kick off. First Micky Hubbard after two minutes, and then Warren Byerley shortly afterwards tested the Rovers’ Keeper. The second effort was saved with his legs as the Hammers threatened to take an early lead. At the opposite end Martin Peters dealt comfortably with anything that came his way in the opening fifteen minutes, and with his team having so much of the play it came as no surprise when they took the lead five minutes later. Micky Hubbard swung one of his speciality free kicks into the box from which Steve Gilbert at the far post hit the woodwork. The ball rebounded to Carl Much who neatly tucked the ball away to put United in front. Martin Peters once again had no trouble in tipping over a shot following a Willand break in the twenty-sixth minute. Four minutes later Carl Much and the Hammers had doubled their scores. The move was started by the United Keeper who released the ball quickly to Carl Much out wide. The big striker then found Micky Hubbard with a pass, before he raced into the middle for the return and drove the ball low into the net. Rovers came their closest to scoring just on the stroke of half time when they hit the cross bar from a corner.
The Home side came more into the game in the second half, but a couple of first class saves from Martin Peters, and some good defending made sure that they were given no chance to get back in the game. Warren Byerley perhaps should have increased the Hammers lead before they eventually did so after sixty four minutes. A straight forward cross into the box was not dealt with by the Willand Keeper. As he fumbled, the ball was played across the box for Richard Jackson to find the net,and make it 3-0. Willand were handed a lifeline fifteen minutes from the end when Nathan Walker was adjudged to have handled the ball, and given a penalty much to the surprise of many, even among the home supporters. David Steele the Rovers best player on show pulled one back from the spot. For the first time in the match the Hamworthy Defence looked a little flustered as they came under more consistent pressure. They were made to pay for not clearing the ball when they had chance, and this lead to Willand scoring a sloppy goal with six minutes left. Rovers were then reduced to ten men as one of their players was dismissed for a foul on Steve Gilbert after already being booked. With just minutes remaining, a collision between Ryan Dovell, and Nathan Walker resulted in Ryan being taken to hospital in a neck brace, but the Hammers held on to record a very notable victory.
This was a great all round performance, and a thoroughly deserved win against a much fancied team. Hamworthy have now not been beaten since their opening fixture of the season at Cowes, and are now are beginning to look a good team. Ryan Dovell was allowed to travel home with the team after treatment. The Hammers will now play Bishops Cleve from the Southern League Division 1(Midland) on the 15th September at the County Ground.
Hamworthy United M. Peters, S. Gilbert, M. Grimason, B. Williams, N. Walker (Capt), R. Dovell(R. Middleton) , S. Legg, M. Hubbard, C. Mutch ( D. Baguely), W. Byerley (C. Chivers), R, Jackson Unused Subs: C Ross- Jennings.