South West Counties Youth League

A further 3 points! However, the young Hammers were made to fight all the way in a fantastic comeback from two nil down against the best side they have played this season.

Both sides created chances in the first half with Broadway possessing a constant aerial threat and the Hammers dangerous on the counterattack. Broadway it was though who made the best of the early exchanges going two up, before the Hamworthy youngsters ‘dug in’ to get a goal back leading up to halftime. Jim Crossin was fouled by the corner flag from where Craig Barnett delivered a free kick to the far post for Captain, Matt MacDonald, to head home.

The Hammers improved after the break and gradually took control of the game, with Richie Norris nullifying the aerial threat of Broadway’s big number seven.

The equalising goal came as a result of yet another dazzling run and cross from Dean Macklin. As players converged on the goal line, Craig Barnett appeared to get the last touch, but it was possibly an own goal.

However, there was no doubt about the winner with Craig Barnett latching onto a headed clearance to drive a volley back through the Broadway defence and past an unsighted keeper into the net.

Team: Lillington, Seal, Cole, Norris, MacDonald (Capt.), Smith, Barnett, Cooper-Blayney, Reavenall-Nuete (Stone), Macklin (Watson), Crossin (Holden)

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