A large crowd enjoyed an entertaining game between two veteran sides of over thirty fives that ended in a 3-3 draw. The teams who represented Hamworthy United, and Hamworthy Recreation Football Clubs jointly shared the Cup, and were presented with medals to mark the occasion by members of Irvin’s family and Shelly Barnett representing the match sponsors Bayview Developments Ltd. The entertainment continued all day, but with people coming and going it was difficult to put a number on the people who attended. A Boys Match between Hamworthy United and Poole Town proceeded the game, and a penalty shoot out for the under fifteens followed the match. In the evening a still sizeable crowd were entertained by local band THE JU JU MEN, who proved to be very popular. A very successful auction of football memorabilia, together with a raffle, donations, and programme advertisements meant that a figure in excess of £3,700.00.was raised by the event. This sum together with the money already raised will mean that the stand to be named after Irvin Brown will be built in the next few months. Hamworthy United Football Club are indebted to Andy James for the time and effort he has put in to once again organising this very worth while annual event. In the last three years since he took over the organisation of the Irvin Brown Memorial Match it has raised more than £9,305.08. We would also like to thank Pat Notley, Steve Manuel, and all the Hamworthy Recreation Football team for their help in making the game such a success. A final thank you to all those people who attended the game, and to those who helped, or donated in any way. It is hoped that this game in Irvin’s name will continue far into the future, and keep his memory fresh as it deserves to be.

Total raised so far: £13,719.89

Dorset County Sunday Senior Cup Final (Sunday 04-05-08)

Hamworthy with four regular players, and their Manager away on a Stag weekend
were always going to be up against it to win this one. They did however put up a good fighting display against a very strong Branksome side which contained some players with Southern League experience.
Hamworthy kicked down the slope in the first half, and despite not being able to make many clear cut chances, they defended well. Lee Thomas had their best chance of the match when he slid the ball just wide with just the keeper to beat. Just when it looked as if the Hammers might hold out until the break Branksome scored in the last few minutes of the half.
The second period saw Con.Club gradually have more of the play, but they did not test Aaron Stone as often as they probably should have, thanks to some good defending by Darren Reeks and Sean Griffiths. They could do nothing about the cross fromKevin Gill that was headed in at the far post for the killer second goal.

Team: A. Stone, S.Griffiths, R. Jackson,D. Young, N. Walker, J. Johnson, D. Rudd, J. Bates, L. Thomas (S. Thomas), D. Reeks (S. Stanley), G. Fooks.

Dorset Premier League (Saturday 03-05-08)

The Reserves wasted a golden opportunity to win their last game of the season, and move up a place in the league. Their indiscipline led them to being reduced to nine men for the second time in three games when two men were dismissed for dissent. They also had the handicap of playing most of the game with a stand in keeper. Aaron Stone went off hurt, but by then they were already two goals down. Richard Flower took over between the sticks for the remainder of the game.
Hamworthy started well, and had what to everybody (including many Cobham supporters) thought was a perfectly good goal disallowed for offside. It was the visitors however who took full advantage of some inept goalkeeping two score two quick goals in the first quarter of an hour, before the United Keeper had to leave the field following a knock. The rest of the half was shared fairly evenly between the two sides with the score remaining at 2-0 at the break.
Gary Williams pulled a goal back in the second half for the Hammers who now looked as though they might get something out of the game. That however was before first Steve Russell, and then David Frake were dismissed by the Referee for saying too much concerning his decisions. The game was now made easy for Cobham who went on to score another goal before the end of play.
The Hamworthy discipline record this year has been very poor, costing us several points as well as fines, and it is something that has to be addressed next season.

Team: A. Stone (S. Russell), R. Flower, C. Miles, D. Frake, M. Glavin, M. Wynne, D. Orchard,M. Hubbard, L. Thomas (C. Barnett), G. Williams, J. Crossin

Dorset Premier League (Wednesday 30-04-08)
Hamworthy United dominated this match from start to finish, and the score line if anything flatters Sturminster Marshall. The Hammers also hit the woodwork three times, and had a goal disallowed. The Referee whistled for half time just as the ball was going into the net. The three Sturminster goals were gifted to them and all resulted from mistakes by the Home side.
United opened much the stronger of the two teams, and should have gone ahead after five minutes when Michael Wynne with just the Keeper to beat drove the ball straight at him. The Hammers did not have to wait long however to take the lead. A poor clearance by The Sturminster Keeper dropped to Mickey Hubbard some 35 meters out. He took full advantage of the Keeper being out of goal to lob the ball over his head, and into the empty net. Within minutes the scores were level again when a Marshall forward easily robbed Richard Flowers before rounding the advancing United Keeper, and scoring. Goals were now coming at regular intervals, and Darren Rudd was quick to pounce, and score from the rebound when the Sturminster Keeper made a point blank save from Michael Wynne. The Visitors again equalised when a hopeful goal bound shot saw the keeper rooted to the spot, and the ball in the roof of the net to make it 2-2. Michael Wynne added a third goal for the Hammers five minutes before the interval, and before Darren Orchard thundered the ball against the post. His shot from the rebound was about to cross the line when the Referee blew the half time whistle, much to everybody’s amazement.
Within a minute of the restart Darren Rudd scored again for the Hammers to give them a two goal cushion for the first time in the match. The same player was to go on and complete his hat-trick, and make it 5-2 to United soon after. Sturminster Marshall to their credit continued to try and play football, and they were to be rewarded with a third goal for their efforts. Aaron Stone’s poor clearance went straight to a Sturminster player who took full advantage to go on and score. Gary Williams who had earlier hit the wood-work found the net to restore his team’s three goal advantage, and completed the scoring for the evening.
This result ensures that the Reserves will finish in at least ninth position with a good chance of going up another place if they can win their final game against Cobham Sports.

Team: A. Stone, R. Flower (M. Seal), C. Miles, D. Frake, M. Glavin,M. Wynne(J. Reavenall-Nuete), D. Orchard, M. Hubbard, D. Rudd (C. Barnett), G.Williams, J.Crossin.

Hamworthy United Football Club was saddened to hear of the sudden death of Gary Higginbottom at just 42 years of age. Gary played his football at Hamworthy in the late eighties, and early nineties under Irvin Brown who was the manager at that time. Gary played for the Under Eighteen, Reserve, and First teams usually as a very quick striker.
A minutes silence was held for him before the Hamworthy United versus Brading Game, which was the last First Team game of the season. Another minutes silence in his memory will be observed at the Irvin Brown Memorial Game on Cup Final Day 17th May 11.00 am kick off. We send our condolences to all his family at this sad time.

Hamworthy United were very pleased to welcome Mr “Taffy” Slade accompanied by his son as their guests at the Hamworthy United versus Brading game. Mr Slade who does not enjoy the best of health these days played for the Hammers in the late fifties. He evidently played in a Cup match against Swanage Town & Herston which was held at Wareham Football Club. They won the game 5-0, with Taffy scoring all five Hamworthy goals. Taffy was able to meet with one or two of his old team mates and exchange a few memories about the good old days.