Dorset Premier League Cup (Group C) Saturday 24th November 2007

Hamworthy United Reserves lost their second match in the Dorset Premier League Cup which is played in four groups. This and the last Cup fixture were both played away, so we hope we can do better in the home legs. Sturminster scored after ten minutes, and scored again with a penalty in the last five minutes of the game,

Team: G. Smart, R. Flower, D, Watts, S. Griffiths, K. Killick, D. Rudd, D. Orchard, K. Middleton (R. Ward), M. Wynne, G. Williams, D. Frake. Subs not used: S. Leaton

Dorset County Youth League, Sunday, 25th November 2007

This was a game that had non-stop goal action for both sides, but with the Hammers always looking the side most in control. A make shift defence which included centre forward Josh Reavenall-Nuete and midfielder Lorne Cooper-Blayney always looked more solid than the opposition’s back line, and with Charlie Gajic and Mike Haskell a constant threat up front the balance of the game always favoured the visitors.

The Hammers led 2-0 at halftime after Mike Haskell nipped in between a Poppies defender and the goal keeper to pinch a goal, which was followed by Charlie Gajic’s coolly slotted home penalty after a foul on Elliot Watson.

The second half saw more early chances for the Hammers before the Poppies got a goal back after a slip in defence by the otherwise impressive Ross Pimm. However, two more goals put the Hammers back in complete control. Mike Haskell scored after latching onto an excellent through ball by Elliot Watson, and this was followed by the goal of the game from Craig Barnett who took a 40 yard cross field pass from Charlie Gajic in his stride before beating his marker running along the by-line and slotting home.

Poppies then scored a fortunate late consolation goal from a corner, Craig Barnett’s clearance off the line striking a Bournemouth player and going back into the net.

Team: Gillingham, Smith, Cooper-Blayney, Watson, Reavenall-Nuete (Holden), Pimm, Norris (Basing), Grimason, Haskell (Macklin), Gajic (Capt.), Barnett

South West Counties League Cup, Saturday, 24th November 2007

This was the Hamworthy youngsters’ toughest test of the season so far, but one they looked likely to take some points from until a show of indiscipline in the second half cost them two quick goals and all three points.

The Hammers were leading 1-0 at halftime from a Jordan Cole penalty after Josh Reavenall-Nuete was brought down in full flight when heading toward goal. This was after the Hamworthy youngsters had defended superbly for most of the half to hold the lively Cirencester side at bay.

However, a flurry of bad tackles and bookings for retaliation led to enforced changes in the second half that disrupted the Hammers’ defensive control of the game and Cirencester scored the two quick goals that put an end to Hamworthy’s unbeaten run in this competition.

Team: Lillington, Seal, Cole, Byrne (Capt.) (Cooper-Blayney), Chappell, Pimm, Crossin, Norris, Reavenall-Nuete, Godfrey (Gajic), Macklin (Barnett)

South West Counties League Cup, Saturday, 17th November 2007

The young Hammers maintained their unbeaten start to the League Cup campaign through a last minute equaliser from Josh Reavenall-Nuete, who got in front of the Stroud keeper to nod the ball home from a Charlie Gajic cross.

Hamworthy were poor in the first half going in 1-0 down at the break, but the introduction of Craig Barnett and Charlie Gajic injected life into the team and they created countless chances before that late, late equaliser.

Team: Lillington, Seal, Chappell (Barnett), Cooper-Blayney, Pimm, MacDonald (Capt.), Crossin, Norris, Reavenall-Nuete, Godfrey (Gajic), Macklin

F.A.SUNDAY CUP (Third Round)

The Hammers went out of the Cup after a very closely contested match beaten, but certainly not disgraced. Mayfair certainly had the better of things in the first half, but Hamworthy came back very strongly in the second, and were unlucky not to have taken the game to at least extra time.
The visitors from Surrey started the stronger of the two teams, and looked dangerous in attack with their small, but speedy front men. Mayfair were very quickly in the lead taking full advantage of some slack defensive play by the Home defence. The Londoners were given the time to cross the ball into the penalty area where a first time shot was parried down by Gary Smart in goal. It went unfortunately straight to an opposing player who scored. Mayfair continued to look the more dangerous in attack, but in all other areas the teams looked evenly matched. The Visitors added a second goal when the Hamworthy defence stayed rooted to the spot waiting for an off side whistle that never came. The Mayfair striker took full advantage and hit an unstoppable shot high into the roof of the net past Gary Smart to make it 2-0. The Hammers should have pulled one back following a good run by Lee Thomas taking him right to the edge of the Mayfair box. He rolled the ball square to Gary Williams who delayed his shot, and was caught in possession before he could strike. The score remained the same at the interval.
The Hammers took over control of the game in the second half looking far more dangerous than they had in the first, but still lacking that final ball. John Bates replaced Gary Williams, and Keith Williams was pushed up along side Lee Thomas to make a far more effective strike force. Most people except the Referee thought that Keith Middleton should have been given a penalty as he was sent sprawling following a clumsy tackle. Hamworthy did pull a goal back with a well rehearsed Mick Hubbard, Nathan Walker free kick combination. The move finished with the big defender heading home powerfully in the sixty fifth minute.  Neil Fletchers men battled to the end to get the goal to take them into extra time, but it was not to be. With just two minutes remaining a cross beat the keeper found Danny Young at the far post, but he hurried his shot and put the ball wide of the post for Hammer’s last chance.

Team: G. Smart, D. Young D. Rudd, S. Griffiths, N. Walker, K. Middleton, J. Stickland, M.Hubbard, L. Thomas, G. Williams ( J. Bates) D. Watts (D.Williams) Unused Subs: A. Stone, E. Parsons, S. Hunter

The Hammers got their revenge for a defeat at Westwood Park on the first day of the season, but once again made hard work of a game that should have been over by half time. United completely dominated the first half, but went back on the defensive following a disputed penalty from which Cowes scored in the second period.
Hamworthy went on the offensive straight from the first whistle, and it took them only two minutes to take the lead. Warren Byerley headed a cross back onto the top of the cross bar, and before the big Cowes Keeper Gary Streeter could clear Captain Nathan Walker was on hand to nod the ball home as it dropped back into play. The Hammers continued to take the game to the Yachtsman, and should have gone ahead when Warren Byerley was picked out with just the keeper to beat. He did well to draw the keeper and go round him cleverly, but then with the goal at his mercy shot wide. A careless Cowes tackle just inside the box was rewarded with a penalty, but Warren Byerley’s misery continued as he saw his effort from the spot saved by the diving keeper. The remaining quarter of an hour of the half continued in the same way with Cowes coming second best in most things, but the Hammers still unable to turn superiority into further goals.
United twice went close in the early stages of the second half, a goal bound Michael Dean effort being deflected for a corner. Hamworthy deservedly increased their league ten minutes into the half. Jack Swann playing his first full game for some time following injury doubled the Hammers lead with a well taken shot on the run. Just as there looked no way back for the Yachtsman they were given a highly disputed penalty. Nathan Walker who was under no pressure was adjudged to have handled the ball. The Referee gave his decision from thirty yards away when his Assistant who was far closer indicated nothing. Martin Peters stood no chance with the spot kick that was hit hard and low into the net. The goal revitalised Cowes who for the first time in the game began to take control, and forced United very much on the back foot for the rest of the match. Cowes pressed very hard for an equaliser, but the nearest they got to getting it was a shot that flashed just wide of Martin Peters far post as he struggled to cover it. Hamworthy held on for the full three points which they well deserved over the full ninety minutes, but not perhaps over the last thirty.

Team:  M. Peters, M. Hubbard, M. Grimason, S. Gilbert. N. Walker, R.Dovell (C. Mutch), S. Legg, M. Dean, J. Swann, W. Byerley R. Jackson. Unused Subs: G. Horlock, M. Seal, J. Byrne

This was a much closer game than the score suggests, and against a very experienced team that are one of the favourites to win the league.
The Reserves more than held their own for the first thirty minutes of the game when the home side struggled to find their rhythm, and get into the game. In that time United had at least three good chances to have taken the lead the best of these falling to Darren Orchard. Ham Rec were fortunate when they did take the lead after thirty two minutes as it was against ten men. United centre half Sean Griffiths had left the field following a hand injury, but was unable to get back on the field in time to help defend the goal from veteran centre forward Chris Riggler. United had not fully recovered when the same player scored a second goal, this time taking full advantage of some slack marking, and the room he was given. The score remained 2-0 at the break.
The Reserves made changes after the interval, and one of these Gary Williams on for Joe Kittle pulled a goal back with fifteen minutes to go. United were unable to push on and equalise and any hope of recovery disappeared when  Riggler completed his hat trick to make the final score 3-1 to the Rec. 

Team:  G. Smart, R. Flower, D. Watts, S. Leaton, S. Griffiths, D. Frake, M. Wynne, D. Orchard, J. Kittle (G. Williams), K. Middleton (R.Ward). Unused Subs: J. Johnson, D. Williams, K. Killick

F.A. VASE ROUND 2

The Hammers went out of the F.A. Vase following a very hard fought match with near neighbours, and league Leaders Poole Town. United could have few complaints with the result at the end as Poole were on top for large parts of the game. The Hammers would have had to have been at their very best to stand any chance of winning this game, but unfortunately recent illnesses and injuries made this was almost impossible. You could not fault United’s effort, but it was not quite good enough to win the game. Hamworthy did however have the man of the match Martin Peters who was outstanding in goal, making numerous good saves, and keeping the Hammers in the game right to the end.
It took Poole only five minutes to take the lead when veteran Taffy Richards sent a dangerous cross into the Hammers box. The ball hit Nathan Walker, and as in the recent Senior Cup match between the two sides Martin Peters was beaten by a deflected goal that gave him no chance to save. The Hammers attacked the other end direct from the restart, and many thought that Warren Byerley had equalised with a diving header that finished in the side netting. The player soon made amends when he took full advantage of a good cross, and some confusion in the Dolphins six yard box to head home and level for Hamworthy after ten minutes. Poole had the better of the exchanges for the rest of the half with the very tricky Trefor Smith giving the United defenders plenty to think about. To their credit Peters and his defenders did well to keep it at 1-1 at the break.
The second half continued much in the same way as the first with the Hammers doing most of the defending, and being restricted to the odd breakaway. They did however always look dangerous at set pieces and were always in with a chance of snatching something right until the end. They should have taken the lead after sixty two minutes when Carl Mutch found himself in on goal, but he blasted his shot over the bar. Hamworthy paid dearly for the miss four minutes later when the ever dangerous Tony Funnel cut in from the left and unleashed an unstoppable twenty five yard shot into the top corner for a very worthy winner. Hamworthy pushed up in the latter part of the game, but were unable to find an equaliser before the final whistle.

Team:  M. Peters, S. Gilbert, M. Grimason, G. Horlock. N. Walker, R.Dovell, S. Legg, M. Hubbard, C.Mutch (J. Swann), W. Byerley R. Jackson. Unused Subs: M.Dean, R. Middleton, R.Webb

Dorset County Youth League, Sunday, 11th November 2007
This clash of top versus bottom saw the Hammers secure a comfortable win without ever really breaking out of second gear.

Three nil up by halftime through goals from Tunnicliffe, Cooper-Blayney and an impressive turn and shot in the box by the inform Gajic put the league leaders in complete control.

Further second half strikes from O’Reilly, Dyer, plus another each from Tunnicliffe and Gajic confirmed the visitors’ dominance.

Team: Gillingham, Barnett, Basing, Dyer, Smith (O’Reilly), MacDonald (Capt.) (Watson), Stone, Holden (Norris), Gajic, Tunnicliffe, Cooper-Blayney

Dorset County Youth League, Sunday, 4th November 2007
The young Hammers returned to the top of the Division 1 table with this hard fought victory.

In an error strewn match where the passing of both sides was of a below average standard, it was the Hamworthy youngsters that snatched the winner their greater goal threat deserved.

James Dyer pounced on a loose ball in the box following a corner to drive home the only goal of the game, and this was after Weymouth had been denied the lead earlier in the second half with a very tight goal line clearance.

Team: Gillingham, O’Reilly, Basing, Dyer, Smith, MacDonald (Capt.), Stone, Watson (Barnett), Gajic (Tunnicliffe), Holden (Norris), Cooper-Blayney