HAMWORTHY UNITED 4 PORTSMOUTH F.C. XI 1
Friendly (Tuesday 22-07-08)
Hamworthy took only thirty minutes to take full control, and put this game beyond the young visitors reach. Portsmouth contained several English and French Youth Internationals as well as a few trialists in their Squad. The Hammers fielded a few new faces as well in the second half, whilst Pompey made an almost complete team change, bringing on a few of their more experienced players.
Hamworthy took the game to the opposition right from the kick off, and soon took control of play. The young Pompey team were finding life difficult against a stronger team that were able to match them for speed and passing ability. Hamworthy soon opened the scoring when Richard Jackson met a good cross from the left to head home. Pompey could not match their often good approach work with the sort of finish required, and never really got a clear shot in on goal. It took the Hammers just seven minutes to add a second when Ryan Dovell scored the first of his two goals on the night, to double the lead. United virtually put the game out of Pompey’s reach when Richard Jackson scored the third with less than twenty five minutes played. Portsmouth did pull a goal back five minutes before the break thanks to a rare blunder by Keeper Martin Peters. The Hammers keeper dwelt on the ball for too long, and his clearance was blocked by an oncoming Pompey man who had no difficulty in steering the ball into an empty net.
Portsmouth decided to tighten things up in the second half, and brought on their more experienced players to try and rescue the situation. The game was now more even and Pompey certainly looked a bigger threat than they did in the first half, but it was the Hammers who again found the net again This time it was Ryan Dovell who climbed above his marker to head home his second, and Hamworthy’s fourth goal. Pompey had their chances to reduce the lead, but could not find the back of the net again. The closest they came was when Matt Richie who played against AFC Bournemouth the night before hit the bar from close range.
This was a good work out for the Wessex league Side in what was a competitive match against a team of youngsters all hoping one day to play Premiership football. They may have been young, but they are the cream of their age group and all tried to play good football, whilst trying to impress. Phil Simkin will be very pleased with this second 4-1 friendly win on the trot, and also with the form shown by his Team.