Hamworthy United 1 Eastleigh 3
FA Cup 2nd Qualifying Round
Hamworthy United made their exit from this year’s FA Cup with their heads held high after making their opponents from the Blue Square South Conference League fight all the way for their win. The score line does not do the Hammers justice for over the ninety minutes Eastleigh undoubtedly deserved to win, but they were never really any more than one goal better than United. The Hammers took the game to their opponents right from the start winning a corner from which Nathan Walker headed just wide. Eastleigh’s first attack after four minutes saw Martin Peters diving at full stretch to divert an Andy Forbes shot past the post. The Home side continued to have their fair share of the play, and were not overawed by the team from three leagues higher. A shock looked possible when the Hammers took the lead after twenty minutes. A dangerous cross from a Micky Hubbard corner was headed past James Pullen by Carl Mutch to silence the Spitfire’s noisy supporters behind the goal. Unfortunately the Hammers were only able to hold their lead for four minutes before Craig O’Conner equalised with a lucky miss hit shot. The Eastleigh Man shinned a cross, which sent the ball looping over Martin Peters. The Keeper was only able to push the ball onto the angle between cross bar and post as it dropped, but was unable to prevent it from rebounding into the net. The score remained all square at the interval with the Home side going in much the more satisfied of the two teams. Both Sides had their chances to take the lead, but it was not until Eastleigh brought on winger Adam Roberts after sixty seven minutes that they really get on top for the first time in the match. Three minutes after coming on, his cross to the far post was knocked back by Andy Forbes for David Hughes to drive past the helpless Martin Peters and put Eastleigh ahead. The game was made safe with just over ten minutes to go when Roberts again supplied the cross for Paul Sales to head home. Hamworthy had a final flurry in the last few minutes forcing a couple of corners, and almost scored when again Nathan Walker went close again with a header, but were unable to reduce the lead further.
Hamworthy United M.Peters, S. Gilbert, M. Grimason, B. Williams, N. Walker (Capt), R. Dovell, S. Legg, M. Hubbard, C. Mutch (C. Chivers), W. Byerley (J. Swann), R. Jackson. Unused Subs, Greg Horlock, D. Baguely, J. Byrne