Sydenhams Wessex Premier League (Saturday 26-04-08) A minute’s silence was held for Gary Higginbottam before the kick off of this the last First Team game of the season. Gary was an ex-Hammer who played under Irvin Brown in the late eighties, and early nineties, and died at just 42 years of age.It was a much depleted Hamworthy side that faced Brading Town with five regular First Teamers missing from the line up. The Islanders had slightly the better of the opening exchanges, but neither team looked like scoring, that is until the 10th minute when Brading Town did just that. Seventeen year old Simon Armstrong making his first full Premier League appearance was given the time to volley home from the edge the penalty box. This was to be the last real goal threat of the half with most of the play taking place in mid-field. Both teams were unable to get another clear strike in on goal, and so the score remained 1-0 at the break. Jim Crossin replaced his fellow Under Eighteen Team mate Joe Byrne after the interval. He took up a position on the wide right when he came on, and this now gave the Hammers much more width. They now looked dangerous in attack for the first time in the game. It was from one of these attacks out on the right wing that Ryan Middleton put a dangerous cross into the Islanders six yard box. A Brading defender took a swipe at the ball as he desperately tried to clear it under pressure. He only succeeded however in driving it past his Keeper, and into his own net to level the score. Fifty seven minutes had gone, and now United were looking much the more likely to be the team to go on and win the game. This however changed nine minutes later, when a long clearance out by Brading saw the Hamworthy Keeper Martin Peters run out of his box to clear. A very rare mistake by the United man saw him lose possession as he tried to beat Simon Armstrong to the ball. The young Brading striker ran on to find the empty net for his, and his team’s second goal. Once again the lead did not last long as the Hammers struck back four minutes later following some good attacking play by the Home side. A quick piece of inter-passing found Warren Byerley one on one with the Keeper who brought him down as he went to go past him. The Referee immediately pointed to the spot, and showed Simon Moore a yellow card for the foul. Warren Byerley picked himself up, and found the corner of the net with his well taken penalty kick. The last twenty minutes saw both teams going for a winner with Hamworthy looking the slightly better bet. This was not to be, and the match finished all square at the final whistle. Both teams were probably not too displeased with the result that leaves Hamworthy in tenth place, and Brading Town a further five places behind at the end of the season.

Team: M. Peters, M. Kenway, R. Jackson, G. Horlock, R. Dovell. M. Dean, J. Byrne (J. Crossin), M. Glavin, C. Mutch (J. Reavenall-Nuete. W, Byerley, R. Middleton. Unused Sub: C. Khinder

Dorset Senior Trophy Final (Tuesday 22-04-08)
Hamworthy United Reserves won this very entertaining Cup Final after an end to end game that saw the score line fluctuating all night. The match was played at Bridport under lights, and both teams should take credit for their performances, and the effort they both put in to making it a good game to watch.
Portland just edged the opening exchanges of the game, but it was Hamworthy who nearly opened the scoring. Darrel Williams was put through one on one with the Keeper, but his shot was smothered by the approaching Portland man, and the danger cleared. The Islanders took the lead when the Hammers failed to clear a free kick, giving them the time to find the back of the net with an easy goal. Hamworthy were not behind for very long when Steve Russell scored from close range following a melee in the goalmouth to make it 1-1 The Hammers lost Keith Middleton through injury which allowed Mickey Hubbard to take his place. This led to a reshuffle that moved Darren Orchard up to the forward line, and allowed Mickey Hubbard to direct things from the middle of the park. This reshuffle proved vital as the game developed. Hamworthy gradually got on top, but could not add to the score line before the half time whistle blew.
The second half was only a few minutes old when the Hammers took the lead following a corner. A low cross was met by Darren Orchard whose shot was deflected past the despairing Portland Keeper. He was given no chance to save, and prevent his team from going behind. To their credit the Islanders came fighting back, and once again levelled the scores from another free kick. This time it was from some thirty yards out. The ball was knocked into the Hamworthy six yard box, and was not claimed by the Keeper who missed with his punch. This allowed the tall attacker to head home under no pressure at all .The Hammers quickly restored their lead which also from a free kick. Quick thinking Mickey Hubbard quickly took the kick, and picked out Darrell Williams who fired the ball past the despairing Keeper. The Portland defence was left rooted to the spot completely shell shocked. There was still twenty five minutes left for play and in that time Hamworthy never really gave their opponents another clear cut chance to get level again. When the final whistle came a 3-2 score line was probably a fair result with the winners creating more, and the better scoring chances.

Team: D. Fawcett, M. Seal, D. Frake, R. Flower (D. Rudd), S. Griffiths,
 S. Russell, D. Orchard, M. Wynne, K. Middleton (M. Hubbard), G. Williams (G.
Clark) D. Williams.

Dorset County Youth Cup Final (Sunday 20-04-08)

If games were won by possession then the Hammers would have won this one by at least 3-1, but unfortunately they are not. Hamworthy kept possession, and passed the ball well in two thirds of the pitch, but unfortunately for them not in last third, where the final pass or shot too often went astray. To emphasise the point the Chickerell Keeper only had to make one real save all afternoon, and that one a magnificent effort that won his team the cup. Chickerell started the better of the two sides getting their passing game going, and probably had their best spell of the match in the first quater. With less than five minutes on the clock Chickerell were awarded a somewhat debateable free kick when one of their players clattered into a Hamworthy man, but then got the benefit of the decision from the Referee. The cross was only cleared to just outside the box, but the ball was met by a Chickerell player who volleyed magnificently past the helpless Phil Kelleway. Hamworthy came back strongly, and thought they had got an equaliser following a well worked move, but found the flag had been raised by the Referee’s Assistant for offside. It looked as though Craig Barnet must score with only the Keeper to beat, but he delayed getting his shot away before being tackled, and the chance had gone. To their credit Chickerell defended well, and must have been very pleased to have hung on to their 1-0 lead at the break. The Hammers made changes in the second half bringing on the experienced Joe Byrne in mid field. United continued to dominate most of the play, but Chickerell got plenty of players back between the ball, and goal giving their Keeper the maximum protection possible. They closed down Hamworthy at every opportunity in the danger areas. The Hammers came their closest to scoring when Peter Chappell headed a corner powerfully down, only to see it blocked on the line. The rebound was met by Craig Barnet, but his close range shot was somehow saved by the Chickerell Keeper. This save proved to be a match winner. United continued to have most of the possession, but despite all their efforts they could not break Chickerell down, and find an equaliser before the final whistle. This was a disappointing result for Hamworthy who must have gone into the game as firm favourites, but all credit to Chickerell who got their early lead, and protected it right to the end.

Team: P. Kelleway, J. Crossin, J. Cole, M. Grimason, M. MacDonald, P. Chappell, C. Barnet (L. Cooper-Blayney), R. Norris, J. Reavenall-Nuete, C. Gajic (J. Byrne), D. Macklin. Unused Sub: E. Watson.

Sydenhams Wessex League Premier Division (Saturday 19-04-08)

This was always going to be a very difficult fixture for the Hammers to get anything from. They were up against a team who needed to win in order to ensure second place in the league. To make their job even harder Hamworthy were without four of their regulars with Walker, Gilbert, Mutch and Hubbard all missing from the line up. United did welcome Mark Kenway back from a long lay off due to injury.
The Hammers restricted VT to long range efforts for most of the first half which Martin Peters, and the revamped United defence coped with well. Vosper’s first real chance came from a good strike taken fully thirty five yards out that just sailed over the crossbar. Mark Kenway fed Steven Legg through on the right hand side, and his cross into the box was scrambled away for a corner. VT did take the lead just three minutes before half time when they were rewarded with a somewhat dubious free kick. Hamworthy did not react quickly enough when the cross came in, and allowed top goal scorer Tyrone Bowers the time to find the back of the net, and give his side a 1-0 lead at the break.
It took only ten minutes into the second half for Vosper Thorneycroft to double their lead. Once again United failed to clear their lines from a corner and allowed Warren Hunt to make it 2-0 and give his team a cushion to defend. The rest of the second half was played out with neither team looking like adding to the goal tally. The VT keeper had very little to do all afternoon whereas Martin Peters had been kept busy, especially in the first half. The win ensures that they will finish behind Totton in the table, and above the three Dorset sides still battling for the next three places.
Hamworthy gave a good account of themselves in this match all things being equal, and will not be too disappointed with the result especially as this was their first game for two weeks. The Hammers will finish in tenth position out of twenty three teams in the league, which was their target at the start of the season.

Team: M. Peters, M. Kenway, M. Grimason, R. Dovell, G. Horlock, M. Glavin (R. Middleton), S. Legg, M. Dean, J. Pinder (C. Khider), W. Byerlry, R. Jackson. Unused Subs: J. Byrne, S. Roushbaiani

Dorset Premier League (Wednesday 16-04-08)

This was a game that Holt did not win, but one that Hamworthy United lost. Ill discipline saw the Reserves reduced to nine men for most of the second half when two players were sent off, after receiving two yellow cars each. It could be argued that the Refereeing was debateable at times, but having already received one yellow card then surely players must take extra care not to get a second.

The first half was very evenly contested, but with neither side able to get a telling shot on goal the score remained 0-0 at the break.

The second period began with the Hammers looking the better of the two sides, and for the first time the Holt goal came under serious pressure from a series of corners. Nathan Walker playing his last league game of the season went close from one of these, but could not find the net with his header. Darrell Williams was pulled back as he tried to get away from his man, but unfortunately he retaliated. He had already received a yellow card for dissent in the first half, and so was dismissed from the field for the second time in two games. Matters were made worse when Keith Middleton kicked the ball away, and was shown a second yellow following his first again for dissent reducing the team to nine. The remaining players battled bravely against the odds, and still probably had as much of the game as Holt, but it was the visitors who got the goal. The Hamworthy defence seemed sure that the goal was offside, and remained stationary as the Holt player found the back of the net, but the goal stood.
United continued to give as good as they got, but they were unable to get the goal and the draw that they probably deserved.

 The result was all the more disappointing since the Holt side were no where near as good as their teams from recent years, and with a full side Hamworthy would surely have got something from the game. Discipline has not been very good at Hamworthy United Football Club this year with dissent being far and away the biggest reason for these bookings. Phil Simkin and the Officers of the Club are determined things must change next year. Bookings are expensive and often rob the team of important players in crucial games. Being booked for a hefty tackle or a hand ball is sometimes understandable, but being booked for dissent is not so easy to forgive

Team: P Kellaway, S. Griffiths (M. Seal), D. Frake, R. Flower, N. Walker, S.Russell (S. Leaton), D. Orchard, K.Middleton, S. Gilbert, G. Williams( L. Thomas). Unused Sub: G. Clark.

Dorset Premier League (Tuesday 08-04-08)

Hamworthy did the double over Swanage Town & Herston after beating them away 6-0 in early February. The Swans are now a much better side having been unbeaten in their last three games. They have gradually climbed away from the bottom of the league. It was not as easy a game as the score suggests especially the first half when the Swans had most of the play. The Hammers were helped by naming first teamers Nathan Walker, and Mickey Hubbard in the squad that also included several Youth Team players.
Swanage started far the better of the two sides, and worried the Hammers with their pace and passing play, taking the game two the Home side right from the kick off. The Swans hit the bar after only four minutes before taking the lead twelve minutes later with a well taken goal. The Hamworthy equaliser was against the run of play coming from a Mickey Hubbard corner. As has happened so many times over the last couple of seasons he picked out Nathan Walker who headed home in the twenty fifth minute. This gave the Reserves the lift they needed and injected new life into them, so much so that they took the lead just seven minutes later. Kieth Middleton’s cross was met with a diving bullet header from Darrell Williams that found the back of the net. Swanage must have gone in very disappointed at half time to find their selves behind despite having the major part of the play to date.
Hamworthy’s confidence was boosted even further when they scored again from almost their first attack of the second half. The Swanage defenders, and keeper failed to cut out a harmless looking cross from the left which was met by Youth Team Player Josh Revenall-Nuete. He guided the ball in from close range to double the lead. The second period was only four minutes old when Darrell Williams was dismissed for his second yellow cards reducing the Reserves down to ten men. If the Swans were hoping that this would be to their advantage they were mistaken. The ten men upped their game, and were now playing the better of the two sides. With nine minutes of the game remaining United scored their fourth goal a carbon copy of the first. Nathan Walker went up unchallenged to head home another Mickey Hubbard corner. This put an end to any chance Swanage had of getting something from the game. All the Hamworthy youngsters performed well, and the future of the Club looks bright in their hands.

Team: A. Stone, M. Seal, R. Flower S. Griffiths (C. Khidler), N. Walker, D. Frake, M. Wynne, M. Hubbard, J. Revennall-Nuete (J. Crossin), K. Middleton (G. Williams). Unused Sub: G. Clark.

To Hamworthy Football Club
Having attended the match on Wednesday 26th against Poole Town, I would like to congratulate Martin Peters on his polite and gentlemanly conduct, while also being a very, very good goalkeeper.

It was a pleasure to watch a player who did not resort to the usual foul-mouth language used by most players nowadays. Would you thank him, as it is the attitiude which encourages supporters, especially young people.

Yours sincerely
Mr P.Willard (A Poole Town Supporter)

Sydenhams Wessex League Premier Division (Friday 04-04-08)

This win makes it three wins on the trot, and this one was all the more enjoyable having already lost to Moneyfieds twice this season, once in the cup and once in the league. Hamworthy started with a different formation than normal. They lined up with three at the back, five in mid-field, and two up front. This was to counteract the Portsmouth side’s strong midfield, and as the score suggests it proved to be very successful.

The visitors soon got into their stride, and had the better of the early exchanges.
Martin Peters soon had to dive full length to turn a fierce low shot away for a corner. Just as Hamworthy appeared to be getting into the game they found themselves a goal behind. In the twenty seventh minute the ball was not cleared when the opportunity arose. The ball was picked up on the left hand edge of the penalty box. A quick one two followed before Nicky Wyatt was picked out running into the six yard box. He gave Martin Peters no chance from close range with his shot. To their credit the Hammers continued to improve, and they were having their fair share of the game. Ten minutes later the scores were level. United were awarded a free kick out on the right which was taken by Mickey Hubbard. He picked out Ryan Dovell at the near post, and his glancing header looped just inside the far post past the despairing dive of Dean Harris. The rest of the play before the break was fairly evenly divided, with neither team able to add to the score.

As in the game against Poole, the Hammers found a bit extra in the second half. They looked far more dangerous in their attacks than they did in the first. The winning goal, when it came was provided by Nathan Walker playing in unusual territory on the far right wing. The big central defender’s cross found Carl Mutch with his back to goal, and ten yards out. In one movement Carl collected the ball, swivelled and hit a great shot past the helpless Moneyfield’s keeper.The same player went close again soon after, but this time the ball went just over the bar. Pacey young striker Josh Reavenall-Nuet impressed again when he came on to replace the injured Warren Byerley. He produced a useful looking lob when he spotted the keeper off his line, but it dropped just past the post. Both teams were reduced to ten men just before the end, when first a Moneyfields man was shown a straight red card for raising his hands to an opponent. He was followed shortly afterwards by Hamworthy’s Steve Legg, this time for a second yellow following a poor tackle. There were no further goals, and so the score remained 2-1 to United at the final whistle.

Team : M. Peters, S. Legg, M. Grimason, S. Gilbert, N. Walker, M. Dean, R. Dovell, M. Hubbard,C. Mutch, W. Byerley (J. Reavenall-Nuete), R. Jackson. Unused Subs: G. Horlock, M. Glavin, J. Crossin.