HAMWORTHY UNITED 0 CHICKERELL 1
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.