Hamworthy United 1 Horndean 2
8th September 2007
After their two most recent wins Hamworthy United came back down to earth with a bump losing their first match at the County Ground since they lost to Lymington Town on March 10th last season. Phil Simkin had to make changes with Bret Williiams, Carl Mutch, and Dan Baguely all suspended. The latter two having had to miss the game for cautions picked up last season for their Sunday teams. It did give Phil a chance to have another look at Young Greg Horlock filling in for Bret Williams, and to give Michael Dean a start after his holiday. The first half was very evenly contested throughout with both teams really unable to dictate play for very long. It was the visitors who took the lead however after just six minutes taking full advantage of a poor clearance. Richard Jackson did not appear to be under any real threat when he received the ball in front of goal on the six yard box, but instead of clearing the ball to the wings he passed it low and direct to an approaching Horndean player. Jimmy Cuthbert collected the ball just outside the penalty area and central to goal, and hit an unstoppable shot past Martin Peters to give his team the lead. Within a minute Horndean could have got a second when a United defender was robbed of the ball as he tried to dribble out, only for the shot to be sliced just wide. Play continued to go from end to end and Hamworthy were rewarded with a goal following a corner after twenty four minutes. Micky Hubbards cross was headed down by Steve Gilbert at the far post, and as the ball bounced in front of the Keeper Greg Horlock stooped to head it past him for his first ever Wessex League goal.
The Hammers should have taken the lead a minute before half time when the ball somehow managed to avoid the several attempts to score as it bobbled around the Horndean six yard box before being cleared. Hamworthy came out much the sharper of the two teams in the second half and missed two golden opportunities within the first five minutes of the restart. The best chance fell to Ryan Dovell who burst into the penalty box with the goal at his mercy, but failed to score. The Visitors must have been relieved to still be on level terms, and gradually got back into the game before getting on top and putting the Home side under more prolonged pressure. Horndean were awarded a corner and Graham Lindsey was found at the far post unmarked. He headed the ball back across the goal into the far corner to make it 2-1 and restore the lead. For the remaining twenty minutes Horndean continued to have the edge, but a fierce twenty yard drive from Warren Byerley shortly before the end had to be brilliantly tipped over by Keeper Luke Douglas to keep his side in front. This game was another example that if you do not take your chances in this league you will get punished. To be fair to Horndean over the ninety minutes they deserved to win, but if the Hammers had taken their chances it could have been so much different, but I am sure the lads know this and will be doing their best to put it right next week.
Hamworthy United M. Peters, S. Gilbert, M. Grimason, G. Horlock, N. Walker (Capt), M. Dean,( C. Chivers) , S. Legg, M. Hubbard, R. Dovell, W. Byerley, R, Jackson (R. Middleton) Unused Subs: C Ross- Jennings. J. Edwards, M. Kenway