Dorset Senior Trophy (Qtr Final) Sat (29-12-07)

The Reserves reached the semi-final of the Dorset Senior Trophy by beating Sherborne Reserves 2-1 away. United again fielded a very young team, but welcomed back the experienced Darren Orchard and goalkeeper Gary Smart back into the side They now face one of Portland United Reserves, Bridport Reserves or Wareham Reserves in the last four. The goal scorers were Michael Wynne and James Pinder

Team: G. Smart, M. Seal, K. Killick, S. Leaton (D.Watts), D. Rudd, S. Griffiths, D. Orchard, M. Wynne, J. Pinder, G. Williams, J. Crossin. Unused Subs: R. Flower, K. Middleton.

Dorset Premier League Sat (22-12-07) 

Report Taken From The Dorset Premier League Website

Portland United extended their lead in pole position to seven points after their four three win against their visitors from Hamworthy United. The Hammers took the lead on the half hour but Portland United hit back to draw level with a goal from Ross Carmichael in the forty-second minute and had taken the lead through Ross Doige before the interval. After the break the Islanders scored a further two quick goals through Matt White and Alex Halloran before resting on their laurels to allow the Hammers back into the game and score two more goals but they held out to take their 10th win while the Hammers were defeated for the sixth time and slip down to eighth place. Scorers for Hamworthy were Richie Norris, Josh Reavenall-Nuete and Sean Leaton.

Team: D. Fawcett, M. Seal, D. Rudd, K. Killick, M. Kenway, D. Frake, M. Wynne, R. Norris, J. Reavenhall-Nuete, G. Williams (S. Leaton), J. Crossin. Unused Sub: K. Middleton.

Sydenhams Wessex League Premier Division (Sat 29-12-07)

Hamworthy United finished the year with a win after completing the double over New Milton Town. The win also moved the Hammers up into tenth place in the League out of twenty three teams. It puts their points total only one behind last season’s total of thirty seven. New Milton included four ex Hammers in their side. Nick Jones, Dan Pidgley, and Andy Borthwick started with Dan Neville on the bench. On loan Keeper Wayne Robbins from Poole Borough filled in for Martin Peters who was unavailable for United. Jack Swann returned from injury.

This game was played in similar circumstances to the game at the County Ground in August. A very strong wind was present making good football difficult. United started the better of the two sides and were very unlucky not to have taken the lead early on. Nathan Walker headed the ball down from a free kick which then hit a defenders foot, and rebounded just over the bar for a corner. Hamworthy always looked to have the upper hand against a young side whose approach work was often good, but had no finish to threaten United. The Hammers forced several corners in quick succession which the Home side did well to defend and keep the game scoreless at half time.

Greg Horlock and Warren Byerley picked up injuries in the first half, and had to be replaced in the interval. Hamworthy took the lead four minutes into the second half after being given a free kick out wide on the left wing. Mike Hubbard’s cleverly struck cross bounced just in front of the keeper before beating him and everybody else and go into the net to give United the lead.  Jack Swann almost doubled the score when he jinxed through the Town defence, and just shot wide of the post. Hamworthy restricted New Milton to a few long shots which Wayne Robbins had no difficulty in dealing with.  The score remained 1-0 at the finish, but New Milton deserved full marks for their effort, and for not giving up over the full ninety minutes. This was a good win for the Hammers against a team that Fareham, Bournemouth and Cowes have only beaten by the odd goal in recent weeks, and was never going to be an easy win.

Team: W. Robbins, S. Gilbert, M. Grimason, G. Horlock (A. Marsh), N. Walker, M. Dean, R. Middleton, M. Hubbard, J. Swann (D. Williams), W. Byerley (R.Dovell).  Unused Sub:  P. Kellaway.

Sydenhams Wessex League Premier Division Sat (22-12-07)

After surrendering a two goal lead it took a gift goal from the Harlequins keeper to hand the Hammers all three points. United were without five of the team that faced Wimborne on Wednesday night including Captain Nathan Walker, so this result really was a bonus for them.

Hamworthy United opened the stronger of the two teams, and the Bemerton Heath  defence were soon having difficulties in dealing with the pace of Ryan Dovell, and Mark Connet, the Hammer’s makeshift front runners. Dovell just shot wide after beating the offside trap. Keeper Darren Crowfoot then palmed away a shot towards the advancing Ryan Middleton who just failed to connect, and score. The Harlequins scored from their first attack of any note after fifteen minutes. The Hammers lost the ball in mid field, and then failed to clear the cross. This allowed Dan Sullivan the time to pick his spot and find the net for Bemerton. United took only six minutes to get level when Crowfoot once again palmed out a free kick, but this time straight to Ryan Middleton who made no mistake with a fine strike. With still only twenty for minutes gone Bret Williams rose above everybody to head home a corner to give United the lead. Ryan Middleton scored his second on the half hour. This time he got on the end of a cross into the six yard box before firing home and making it 3-1. Just as it looked as though the Hammers were well in control of the match, Bemerton were awarded a penalty for handball. Martin Peters saved the spot kick, but unfortunately could not prevent the penalty taker Carl Jones converting the rebound. The score remained 3-2 at the interval.
The Harlequins raised their game after the interval playing some good passing football. It was from one of these flowing moves that they drew level with Dan Sullivan once again beating Peters to bring things back to parity. Hamworthy could have surrendered at this point , but to their credit  gradually got back into the game. When Hamworthy’s winner came six minutes from time it was somewhat bizarre. Darrell Williams on for Steve Legg had turned his back on the Bemerton Keeper following a Hamworthy attack that had come to nothing. For some reason the keeper hurried his clearance, and hit Darrell in the back. The ball rebounded off Darrell and into the empty net for the winner.

Team: M. Peters, R. Middleton, R. Jackson,B. Williams, G. Horlock, M. Dean, S. Legg (D. Williams), M. Hubbard, R. Dovell, M. Connet, A. Marsh (J. Byrne) Unused Sub: J. Swann

Sydenhams Wessex League Premier Division Wed (26-12-07)

To stand any real chance of beating high flying Poole Town in this match the Hammers would need to be at full strength, but once again they were missing key players in key positions. This was the third meeting this year between the two sides, and this was to end as the others in an honourable defeat for Hamworthy.
United once again got away to the worse possible start when they conceded a goal after just five minutes. Trefor Smith who had been a thorn in the side of the Hammers in the previous two meetings cut in from the right, and laid the ball into the path of Dann Cann. The ex-Hammer shot low into the corner of the net past Martin Peters to score against his old club, and give his new club an ideal start to the game. To their credit United held their own with a spirited display for the next thirty minutes, but neither team made a clear cut chance in that time. With ten minutes of the half remaining Poole got the crucial second goal from a corner. That man Trefor Smith found the back of the net with a well struck half volley following a deflection from a corner. United almost pulled a goal back immediately when Ryan Dovell’s header was tipped over the bar by the Town keeper to  keep the score 2-0 at the break.

Captain Nathan Walker came to Hamworthy’s rescue soon after the restart. Trefor Smith went past three defenders before beating Martin Peters. The attempted shot looked goal bound until Walker’s sliding last ditch clearance. Despite plenty of effort Hamworthy were unable to set up many chances of their own. They came close in the sixty seventh minute, but then a very controversial refereeing decision took away even that chance. Poole Keeper Jason Harvell spilled the ball under pressure from Carl Mutch, and it dropped for Micky Hubbard who looked sure to score. Harvell blocked Hubbard’s shot with his hand outside the penalty box, but to everybody’s amazement he was allowed to stay on the pitch, and complete the match after only receiving a yellow card. This decision infuriated the whole Hamworthy contingent and finished any real chance they might have had in getting back into the game. To say that the Keeper never had to make another save and therefore the Referee’s decision made no difference to the outcome of the game does not add up. Poole would have had to play the last twenty minutes with ten men, and that could have been interesting, but instead they played with eleven.

Team :  M.Peters, M. Hubbard, M. Grimason, G. Horlock, N. Walker, R. Middleton, G. Legg (A. Marsh), R. Dovell (M. Dean),C. Mutch (J. Moores), M. Connet, R. Jackson. Unused Subs: J. Swann, M.Seal

Sydenhams Wessex Premier League (Wednesday 19-12-07)

After collecting their first winning double against Romsey Town the previous Saturday the Hammers picked up their first losing double of the season on Wednesday night when they lost 3-0 to high flying Wimborne Town. The Magpies always play good football, and United would have needed to have been at their very best to get a favourable result from this match, but unfortunately they were not.

Not for the first time this season Hamworthy got away to the worst possible starts falling behind after only two minutes. A Tom Vavrecka shot took a deflection, and beat Martin Peters to give Wimborne the lead. This settled any nerves they may have had in the process, and gave United an uphill fight from the onset. The Hammers had their fair share of possession and always looked dangerous from set pieces, but never looked like finishing off with a goal. The Magpies continued to play some excellent football and increased their lead in the thirty fourth minute. Ex- Hammer Tom McCormack fed the ball through to Steve Whitcher who finished from fifteen yards. The score remained 2-0 at the interval.

The second half saw Wimborne continuing to be in command playing with good movement, and always looking strong at the back. With just under fifteen minutes remaining Wimborne scored their third goal with some of the best football of the night. James Stokoe scored with a close range header after some excellent passing and movement to create the opening for him to score. There were no further goals leaving the Hammers beaten, but not disgraced after losing to a team that deserve to be up there in the promotion race at the end of the season.

Phil Simkins comments after the game acknowledged that Wimborne were the better side and thought they played some excellent football. He would like to now see them go on and clinch promotion after playing the best football against us of any of our previous opponents.

Team: M. Peters, M. Hubbard, S. Gilbert, B. Williams, N. Walker, M. Dean, S. Legg, M. Connnet(L. Thomas), C. Mutch (A. Marsh) W,.Byerley ( D. Williams), Unused Sub: M. Kenway

Sydenhams Wessex League Premier Division Sat (15-12-07)

Hamworthy United collected their first double of the season having won 2-0 at Romsey in October. This was once again an evenly contested match that could have gone either way, but it was the Hammers who finally found the back of the net to win the game. A good Refereeing display from Mr Berry added to the enjoyment of the game. The official never once needed to go to his pocket for a card, but preferred to use common sense, and that does not always happen as often as it should do these days, especially with Assessors attending almost every game. and watching every move the officials make.
As stated earlier there was not a lot between the two sides with both defences dealing with most attacks before a save from either keeper was necessary. The Hammers had probably the better of things in the opening quarter, and went very close to scoring when Steve Gilbert headed a cross just wide, and into the side netting. This was as close as either side came to taking the lead before the interval. This was despite of a lot of activity in midfield from both sides, but neither team really threatened in front of goal, and so the score remained 0-0 at the break.

The game opened up a bit more in the second half as both teams went in search of a goal, but still the finishing from both sides did not match up to their approach work. Romsey twice broke quickly from defence, but then wasted the opportunities by not forcing a save from Martin Peters.  Carl Mutch had a chance to give United the lead when he missed an overhead kick at the other end, when a header looked the better option. The Hamworthy Keeper did have to pull off a good save in the 69th minute following an attack down the left wing which left him one on one with the attacker. Peters palmed the ball away as the Romsey Man tried to knock the ball past him.  A mêlée followed, but the ball was eventually cleared to safety by a Hamworhy defender. It was from this clearance, followed by a sweeping move down the entire length of the pitch that the Hammers finally took the lead. Carl Mutch running through the middle collected the final pass, but this time kept his cool to slot the ball past the keeper,and into the net to finish off a great move. The last part of the game saw Romsey pushing up in search of an equaliser with Hamworthy trying to hit them on the break, and exploit the gaps that were now left at the back, but the score remained 1-0 at the final whistle.

Team: M.Peters, M. Hubbard, S. Gilbert, B. Williams, N. Walker, M. Dean (D. Williams), R. Middleton, M. Connet, C. Mutch ( J. Moores), W. Byerley,M. Grimason. Unused Subs: G. Horlock. G. Smart

SYDENHAMS WESSEX LEAGUE CUP ( ROUND 3)  TUES-12-07

The Hammers overcame the long trip, and difficult playing conditions to march into the next round of the cup that they won in their first season in the league four years ago. Hamworthy were without one or two of their key players, but it gave Phil Simkin the opportunity to look at some of his other squad members. The game was played in freezing conditions on not the best of pitches which made playing conditions difficult. 
United had the better of the early exchanges, and should have taken the lead after five minutes when the usually reliable Nathan Walker headed wide with the goal at his mercy. What the Vics lacked in skill they made up for in some robust tackling, but this often resulted in a foul which was punished by the Referee with a free kick to the Hammers, and several yellow cards for the Home Side. East Cowes held out for nineteen minutes before Ryan Dovell threaded a pass through to Lee Thomas playing his second game for United. The very quick striker outpaced the home defence to slot the ball home for the first of his three goals. It took him just two minutes to increase the lead, this time volleying home from the penalty spot a lobbed pass from Richard Jackson. The Vics continued to defend in depth, and gave Gary Smart in the Hamworthy goal few problems to deal with in attack, and so the score remained 2-0 to the Hammers at the break.
East Cowes had their best spell of the match in the ten minute period following the interval putting Hamworthy under pressure for the first time. First Gary Smart did well to push a fierce shot onto the cross bar before it was cleared, and then shortly afterwards the Vics again hit the woodwork. United needed to score another goal to put the game to bed, and did so with another goal from Lee Thomas giving him his hat-trick. This time the United striker took full advantage of a bad back pass to collect the ball, run on, and score Hamworthy’s third goal. If Thomas was not already assured of Man of the Match status he certainly earned it when he turned provider for the fourth. He collected the ball on the far left wing, and after going passed his man laid on the perfect pass for debutant  Darrell Williams running through middle to hit low into the net. Mike Hubbard missed a glorious chance right at the end of play to make it five, but blazed over from short range in front of an empty goal.

Team: G.Watson, S. Gilbert, M. Grimason, R. Middleton, N. Walker, M. Dean, R. Dovell (G.Horlock), M.Hubbard, K. Middleton (D. Williams), L. Thomas, R. Jackson(R.Norris.)

Sydenhams League (Wessex) Premier Division Wed 05-12-07

Hamworthy were without the services of first choice keeper Martin Peters between the sticks, but replacement Gary Smart has already proved in the past that he is more than capable of stepping into Martin’s boots. Recent signing from Poole Borough, and Hamworthy United Sunday Team striker Lee Thomas came in for the injured Jack Swan. United also had first team regulars Steve Legg and Warren Byerley out injured, but welcomed back Mark Conway and Mark Connet back on to the bench after long injuries
Fareham made a very bright start to the game, and had three one on one chances to take the lead early on, but failed to find the net. Debutant Lee Thomas narrowly missed with a low shot across goal that just went wide. Hamworthy’s main threat again came from free kicks and corners none of which were converted into goals, and so the score remained 0-0 at the break.
Fareham continued to have the upper hand in the second half, and soon took the lead five minutes into the second half. Tom Woodward opened the account for the visitors with a well worked goal. The lead was doubled twenty minutes later this time from an own goal which was later claimed by Josh Guise. Gary Smart made two excellent saves to keep the score respectable against a team that was probably one of the best footballing sides seen at the County Ground this season. They were quick up front and very solid in defence, and the Hammers could have had little to complain about at the final 0-2 score line.
Ryan Dovell was chosen as the Hammer’s Man of the Match by Sue and Russ Granger after the game, and was presented with a bottle of wine by Ross with which to celebrate.

Team:  G.Smart, S. Gilbert, M. Grimason (D. Williams), B.Williams (M. Kenway), N. Walker, R. Dovell, R. Middleton, M. Hubbard, C. Mutch (M. Connet) L. Thomas , R. Jackson. Unused Subs; Greg Horlock , R. Norris

Dorset Premier League Saturday ( 01-12-07 ) 

The Reserves got back to winning ways with a fine away win at Cobham Sports that moves them up into seventh place in the league. Hamworthy welcomed back the experienced Alan Marsh fresh from America, where he has been working as a football coach.
This was a good all round team performance with everybody working hard for each other straight from the kick off. This proved to be more productive than Cobham’s prettier football with no end product. A flick header by Darrell Williams gave United the lead, but it took a great save by Gary Smart to hang on to it. Ex-Hammer Stuart Merrill hit a screamer of a shot that looked bound for the back of the net until the Hammers keeper not only saved it, but held on to it. The score remained 1-0 at the break.
Keith  Middleton made changes in the second half, and one of these Richie Norris added a second goal for the Hammers. This followed a good run down the left by Darren Orchard who threaded the ball through for Richie to run on to and score. Hamworthy’s third goal started with quick one two between Darren Orchard, and James Johnson whose cross found David Frake to head home, and complete the scoring. One reason that the Reserves came away with this emphatic win was the display of central midfielder Mike Winn whose marking job on the opposing danger man meant he was kept very quiet the whole game.

Team: G. Smart, M. Seal, D. Rudd, S. Leaton, A. Marsh, D. Frake, M. Wynne, D. Orchard, D. Watts (R. Norris), G. Williams, D. Williams (J. Johnson). Unuses Subs; K. Middleton, R. Flower, K. Killick.