Bishops Cleve 0 Hamworthy United 1
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.