The one thing that this match, and the home tie earlier in the season had in common was that both away teams were without their very influential centre halves and captains. Poppies Lamin Dibba was injured for the first game which the Hammers won, and Nathan Walker was suspended for this one which they lost.

All looked good for Hamworthy in the first twenty minutes when they should have twice gone into the lead. As early as the second minute Stuart Kearn dropped a speculative shot from Carl Mutch over the line, but this was not seen by the Referee’s Assistant and all protests were waved away. Carl Mutch should have scored, but he headed over when under no real pressure. When the goal did come after thirty three minutes it was against the run of play, and resulted from the first of three pieces of poor defending from which the Poppies scored. A left wing cross was deflected giving Martin Peters no chance, and when the ball was squared to Gareth Barnes he had a simple tap in for the lead. The lead was doubled shortly before half time from a free kick when Scott Sanderson was left unmarked to head home.

Any idea of a comeback after the interval was soon dispelled when with just seven minutes gone Poppies scored again leaving the Hammers with a mountain to climb. Their cause was not helped when first Steve Gilbert, and then Jack Swann went off with injuries, and United were left to defend for the rest of the game. The second half was dominated by Bournemouth and Martin Peters did well to pull off some good saves to keep the score respectable.

Hamworthy United: M.Peters, G. Horlock, M.Grimason, B. Williams, S.Gilbert (R. Middleton), C. Mutch( C. Chivers), S. Legg, M. Hubbard, J. Swann (M. Dean ) W. Byerley, R. Dovell  Unused Sub: J Byrne

Hamworthy United were saddened to hear of the recent death of an old Hamworthy stalwart Rosie Harris. Rosie and her husband Nobby came to Hamworthy with a team from the Sea Cadets that became Hamworthy Colts. They played in the Youth league just after the war, and included John Gravell, Jack Russell and Les Kearley who still attend our matches today. Rosie and Nobby did everything for the team and that included cleaning the bath, and doing the laundry. The fact that sometimes the players were not dressed did not prevent Rosie from getting on with her job, insisting she had seen it all before and that nothing shocked her any more. Rosie’s Grandson Paul played regularly for the Hammers in the eighties and nineties, and recently turned out for the Veterans side. We extend our deepest sympathies to Rosie’s family.

Dorset County Youth League, Sunday, 14th October 2007

In adversity you sometimes get a surprisingly greater commitment and this was certainly the case in this match, where the players overcame poor availability to record probably one of their best results of the season so far, against potentially one of their biggest rivals for the league title.

The team put the missing players, injuries, the effects of a flu virus, and fatigue from Saturday’s match to the back of their minds to take a share of the points and remain in a strong position near the top of the table. Taking a well deserved lead midway through the first half after Charlie Gajic coolly side footed home, after latching onto a precise through ball from Luke Stone. 

However, the Hammers were pegged back to 1-1 on the stroke of halftime when slack marking led to their defence being pulled apart for a Chickerell forward to slot home from close range.

The second half saw more dominance from the Hammers as they again upped the tempo to regain the lead shortly after the break, when Craig Barnett side footed the ball into the net from just inside the six yard box.

Unfortunately, with the Hammers looking in complete control and likely to score again, another mistake led to a second goal for Chickerell. Matt MacDonald’s misplaced pass put the home side in on the break and despite a lunging challenge from Jack Smith the equaliser was slid passed the advancing Gillingham in the Hamworthy goal.

Chickerell then had the better of the late exchanges as the tired legs of the Hamworthy players began to show.

Team: Gillingham, Seal, Basing, Dyer (MacDonald), Smith, Pimm (Capt.), Stone (Tunnicliffe), Holden, Gajic, Norris, Barnett Sub Un-used: O’Reilly

South West Counties Youth League, 13th October 2007

The benefit of a home match, a fast start and the tenacity to keep going to the end, were the factors that saw the Hamworthy youngsters secure three very well deserved points, against opposition operating three levels higher up the non-league football pyramid.

The first 45 minutes saw the Hammers play at tempo their opponents could not match, as they were pulled apart by quick one and two touch passing that drew praise from a number of spectators. However, chances came and went, as the final pass and runs into the box did not quite connect, leaving the home side frustrated at going in 0-0 at halftime.

The second half evened up slightly with the Dorchester side looking much more dangerous on the break, but the Hammers defence held firm and the tide shifted again in the last 15 minutes, with Joseph Byrne driving home a well deserved winner in the 80 minute at the second attempt, after his first effort was blocked by the Dorchester defence.

The Hammers travel to Eastleigh next for another top of the table clash.

Team: Lillington, Seal, Cole, Byrne, MacDonald (Capt), Chappell, Crossin, Norris, Reavenall-Nuete, Macklin (Watson), Cooper-Blayney (Pimm) Subs Un-used: Rees, Smith, Basing

This was the Hammers first league game for five weeks which made a win vital in order that they might start climbing the table again. Things were not made easier for them playing on a difficult pitch with a slope at one end, and playing against a team who were desperate to get back to winning ways after losing their last two games, and so spoiling a promising start to the season. United started much the stronger of the two sides and took the game to the opposition, but were unable to get in a good strike on goal. Romsey gradually got into the game and almost took the lead with a shot that just missed Martin Peter’s left hand post. A great passing move involving Jackson, Byerley and Swann left the latter one on one with the keeper, but he shot narrowly wide. Hamworthy were not finding the slope easy to deal with as the ball run away and the passes often over hit. Romsey had their chances, but they too were finding it difficult to hit the target. The game remained scoreless at half time. Romsey started the second half strongly keeping the Hammers penned deep in their own half, but this did not last long as a quick break resulted in United taking the lead. A long ball found Jack Swann on the wide right, and he cleverly side stepped his man before cutting into the box. He then drew the keeper before placing the ball past him and into the empty net. With twenty minutes remaining United increased their lead with a well rehearsed free kick. A cleverly flighted Mike Hubbard cross found skipper Nathan Walker who made no mistake with a powerful header. Town’s chances of getting anything out of the game was not helped when they were reduced to ten men following a dangerous jump tackle on Carl Chivers who luckily escaped injury. With just a minute left to play Martin Peters had to dive to divert a powerful shot past the post to keep a clean score sheet, and ensure a Hammers win.

Hamworthy United: M.Peters, S. Gilbert, M.Grimason, B. Williams, N. Walker(Cpt) R. Dovell, M. Dean (C. Mutch), M. Hubbard, J. Swann ( C. Chivers), W. Byerley, R. Jackson.. Unused Subs: R. Middleton G. Horlock, D. Watts

After a week with no game the Reserves had the difficult task of facing last years champions fresh from a cup defeat. Darren Facer put Holt in front on the half hour and just before the break Dave Sturgess made it two nil. The Hammers fought back and reduced the arrears with a goal from Joe Kittle and then the Hamworthy new signing Darrell Williams cousin of Bret brought the score level. In the last 20 minutes it was all Holt as they took control of the midfield, and made their superior strength tell. Holt ran in a further four goals through Darren Facer with three more in the 71st,73rd and 81 minutes and one from Dave Perry. Holt after this win move up into third place. This was the hammers 4th defeat and they slip down to 9th place.

Team P.Hubbard, R. Flower, K. Khan, D. Frake (J. Johnson),G.Horlock, M. Connet, K. Middleton (M.Wynne), D. Orchard, J.Kittle, D. Williams (B. Gerrard) D. Watts. Unused Sub G. Williams.

Dorset County Youth League

The Hammers took second place in the table with this victory to remain the only unbeaten team in the league, and with a game in hand on their nearest rivals.

The big pitch at Hurn allowed the youngsters to pass the ball effectively, and create chances at will, with the final score line probably not a true reflection of their dominance.

A brace from Dan O’Reilly, the first side footed home after latching onto a precise through ball from Matt Grimason and the second turned in just inside the six-yard box, gave the Hammers a two nil halftime lead.

Hamworthy completely dominated the second half, but were only able to add one more goal to their tally, with the Christchurch goalkeeper having an excellent game. The third goal scored by Jim Crossin after he neatly controlled the ball in the box and rounded the keeper before slotting home with his left foot.

Team: Gillingham, Holden (Basing), Crossin, Watson, Smith, Pimm (Norris), Stone, Grimason (Capt.), Haskell (Gajic), O’Reilly, Tunnicliffe

South West Counties Youth League, 6th October 2007

The two remaining unbeaten teams in Division 2 of the SWCYL came head to head with the home side taking all three points and replacing the Hamworthy youngsters at the top of the table. The Hammers were never allowed to settle in possession in the first half on a very tight pitch that suited the City Academy’s direct and aggressive percentage football. However, the Hammers seemed to have weathered the storm until a speculative under hit shot from 30 yards out was misjudged, and allowed to slip into the net, by the normally highly dependable Shaun Lillington to give the Bristol side a one nil lead at the interval. With renewed focus and commitment after the break the Hammers started to impose themselves on the match, including hitting the bar from a header by Dean Macklin, following a precise left footed cross from Jordan Cole. Despite the increased possession in favour of the Hammers it was City Academy who went on to score two late goals that sealed their victory. Firstly, with a penalty following a lunging tackle from Jack Smith, where he took the ball, but it was adjudged as dangerous play, and finally a goal conceded from slack marking at a corner. Perhaps the lessons learnt, by all, will help with the challenges to follow later in the season!

Team: Lillington, Seal, Cole, Byrne (O’Reilly), MacDonald (Capt.), Chappell, Barnett (Crossin), Norris, Reavenall-Nuete, Macklin, Cooper-Blayney (Smith)

FA Vase 1st Round Proper

The Hammers sailed through this match against the previously unbeaten Newton Abbot from the South Penninsula League. They play in a league two steps below United and found the gap too much to make up. Their fate was sealed after the first twenty five minutes when they were already three goals down and their defence found themselves unable to deal with the pace of the Hamworthy forwards. From the whistle Hamworthy went straight on to the attack, and a well placed through ball found Jack Swann in on goal unmarked. The striker making his first start since his injury hit his shot just wide of the post with the keeper stranded. It did not take the Hammers long to take the lead however. Just twelve minutes had gone by when they opened their account. Matt Congdon the Newton Abbot keeper dropped a Mickey Hubbard free kick at the feet of the in rushing Warren Byerley, who knocked the ball past him to make it 1-0. Just two minutes later the lead had doubled when the same player scored again. A cross was headed back across the face of the goal for the unmarked Warren Byerley to score again. Any hope the Visitor’s may have had of winning this game finished when a long goal kick found Micky Hubbard out on the far right wing. The mid-fielder cut into the box and found the net with a well placed shot low into the corner. Despite further Hamworthy pressure the score remained at 3-0 at half time. As in the first half the Hammers took the game to their opponents right from the restart, and were once again rewarded with an early goal. A well placed pass from Warren Byerley picked out Jack Swann in the six yard box, and he made no mistake from close range. The next quarter proved to be Newton Abbot’s best period of the game when for the first time they got the Hammers on the back foot, and scored their only goal. The goal was a well taken individual strike by Danny Broadway, and was some reward for being Abbot’s best player by some margin. He was often forced to battle up front all alone with very little support against a solid Hamworthy defence. A quick break out of defence ending with another clinical Jack Swann finish knocked any resistance Newton Abbot may have still have had. A period of three goals in six minutes followed as United took complete control with Ryan Dovell, and Substitutes Michael Dean and Carl Chivers all scoring at two minute intervals to complete a very satisfactory day for the Hammers recording their biggest winning margin for some years.

Hamworthy United: M. Peters, S. Gilbert, M. Grimason, B. Williams, N. Walker, R. Dovell (R. Middleton 85), S. Legg, M. Hubbard J. Swann, W. Byerley (C. Chivers 75) R. Jackson (M. Dean 63) Unused Subs S. Griffiths, L. Stone

Dorset County Youth League

A late double struck from Charlie Gajic maintained the Hammers 100% record, in a typical hard-fought local derby.

A number of players were obviously feeling the effects of the previous day’s matches, this together with some enforced changes led to the Hamworthy youngsters taking sometime to produce any fluidity to their game.

Also, Lytchett Matravers always raise their game against Hamworthy United, and with so many personal duels on the pitch, it was no surprise that the visitors provided a constant threat. The left footed Mark Claremont, pulling the strings in the Lytchett Matravers midfield, had a particularly impressive game. 

Despite these facts the Hammers always looked the more dangerous and likely to score, and fresh legs from the bench and a general higher level of fitness eventually took their toll on the visitors. Charlie Gajic poaching two strikes in the six-yard box to secure all 3 points.

Team: Gillingham, Seal, Basing, Dyer, Byrne, Smith, Cooper-Blayney (Tunnicliffe), Holden (O’Reilly), Stone (Haskell), Gajic, Grimason (Capt.)