HAMWORTHY UNITED RESERVES 1 CRANBORNE 1
Dorset Premier League (Friday 21-03-08)
The very windy conditions did not stop this from being a very entertaining game, but one that on the play the Hammers should have won. Cranborne were reduced to ten men when the Referee’s Assistant spotted a punch thrown by one of their players early in the second half.
Cranborne kicked off with very strong wind in there favour, and it did not take them long to take the lead. After only two minutes the Cranes took full advantage of the wind, and a free kick from fully twenty five yards out on the far left wing to score. The free kick flew in just inside the far post with the Hamworthy Keeper well beaten, and nobody stood on the line to prevent such an event. A second free kick taken this time from a more central position, but from a similar distance was this time well saved by Aaron Stone in the United goal. To their credit the Hammers got their game together, and with some good passing movement took the game to the opposition at every opportunity. The United defence also dealt with any attacks very well, and only really came under threat from set pieces. Darren Rugg had to go off injured to be replaced by new signing Craig Miles who went on to have a very good debut for the Hammers. Hamworthy had done very well to go in at half time with the score line only 1-0 against them in such windy conditions.
Like Cranborne in the first half, it did not take the Hammers long to score. With just a minute of the second period gone Darren Orchard got on the end of a pin point pass from the left into the six yard box. He guided the ball past the static Cranes keeper, and into the net unchallenged. The Goalkeeper’s appeal for off side was turned down, and play restarted with the score now1-1. Hamworthy went on to have the major part of the play in the second half, but despite going close on several occasions were unable to capitalise on their good work with a second goal. Cranborne were restricted to the odd break away especially after the dismissal of their player, but they too never really looked like getting a second goal, and must of felt very pleased with a draw at the final whistle
Team: A. Stone, S. Griffiths (S. Leaton), D. Rudd (C. Miles), D.Frake, M. Glavin, M. Seal, D. Orchard, M. Wynne, G. Williams, P. Hedges, S. Russell (C. Barnett). Unused Sub: R. Flower.