RINGWOOD TOWN 1 HAMWORTHY UNITED 0
Sydenhams Wessex League Premier Division (Saturday22-03-08)
A gale force win ensured that this match was going to be a lottery, and so it proved. Unfortunately for the Hammers despite having had the major part of the play, it was a lottery that they lost. Hamworthy struck the bar three times in the first half, and had a goal disallowed for off side, but this was not to be their day, Fair play to Ringwood they had very few chances in the whole game, but they did score from one of these. To rub salt in the wound the Town scorer was Dan Baguely who started the season as a United player.
Hamworthy started the match with the wind at their backs, as both teams struggled to come to terms with the conditions. Carl Mutch almost put Hamworthy in front when he met a Mickey Hubbard free kick with his head, only to see the ball rattle the cross bar with the keeper well beaten. As to be expected it was nearly all Hamworthy, but the final ball was often over hit and ran out of play, or was picked up by Dave Rhodes the Ringwood keeper. Following a corner Greg Horlock’s back header was pushed out to Carl Mutch who then once again headed the ball onto the cross bar before going over. Carl did find the back of the net half way through the first period with a diving header on the six yard box that flew into the net, only to find the Referees Assistant had ruled him offside. The Hammers continued to dominate most of the play without reward, and restricted the Town to only the occasional attack none of which really threatened the United goal. Ringwood must have been highly delighted to go in at the break on level terms knowing the wind would be in their favour for the rest of the game
As expected the home side came much more into the game in the second half, but Hamworthy were to have as many chances, if not more than Ringwood in this second period. Dave Rhodes had to be very brave to dive at the feet of Carl Mutch and smother the ball before the big forward could get his shot away. The Town’s goal in the sixty first minute was a result of some poor defending. Dan Baguely was found on the edge of the box totally unmarked, and his looping header went over Martin Peters as he charged off his line, and into the empty net. Carl Much was sent off for a second yellow card for dissent when the Referee pulled back play with Hammers in an attacking position, and awarded Uniteda free kick. Phil Simkin made changes, one of which was the introduction of the Youth Team striker Josh Reavenall- Nuete for his first senior game. The tall young striker soon impressed when following a jinxing run into the box slotted the ball through to Steve Legg whose shot went agonisingly just past the post. This was to be United’s last chance before the Referee blew the final whistle to give Ringwood the win they deserved for sticking to their task, and for riding their luck.
Team: M. Peters, S. Gilbert, R, Dovell, G. Horlock, N. Walker.R. Middleton( W. Byerley), S. Legg, M.Hubbard, C. Mutch, L. Thomas( J. Reavenall-Nuete), R. Jackson. Unused Subs M. Glavin, M. Grimason.