HAMWORTHY UNITED 1 MAYFAIR UNITED 2
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