Dorset Premier League (Saturday 30-08-08)
Report with extracts from From The Dorset Premier League Website
The Reserves faced their second difficult away match in a week. This trip to Wincanton followed a similar one to League favourites Portland United last week. Lee Thomas and Greg Horlock were missing from the team that drew midweek against Sturminster Marshall, both being called into the first team squad. The experienced Darren Orchard was also not available for selection.
Wincanton Town moved up into fourth place in the League following their 4-1 win against their visitors from Hamworthy United Reserves. Wincanton went in front after 20 minutes with a goal from Steve Bendall and they went two up just before half time with a goal from Matt Peters. Two more goals followed in the second period through Chris Pullen and a penalty conversion from Brad Peters. The Hammers did score a consolation goal scored by Michael Glavin just after the break. This defeat leaves United at the foot of the table.
Hamworthy will be only too pleased to get these two away games out of the way so that they can concentrate on perhaps picking up points against some of the lesser sides.
Team: M. Trevor, M. Seal, C. Miles, G. Clarke (S. Coaks), M. Glavin, A. Powell (L. Williams) D. Spires, M. Wynne, S. Lee-Whaley, M. Warren, A. Tilsed. Unused  Sub L. Wines.

F.A.Cup Preliminary Round (Saturday30-08-08)

Hamworthy looked to be cruising to an easy 3-0 win, but two quick goals midway through the second half ensured a tense finish. United were without two of their most influential players Captain Nathan Walker, and Michael Dean both sidelined with injuries. Phil Simkin was still however able to pick a strong line up to start this FA Cup tie.
The Hammers soon got on top, and took the game to their visitors from the Toolstation Westerrn Premier League. United already looked the more dangerous of the two sides in front of goal in the opening exchanges. The Brislington attack was restricted to the odd breakaway, but lacked real penetration, and never really threatened Martin Peters. They were restricted to only the occasional through ball with which the home side had no difficulty in dealing with. It was no surprise therefore when United opened the scoring in the nineteenth minute with a good finish from Warren Byerley. The Hammers in form striker was found at the far post. He hit the ball back hard across the face of the goal, and past the Brislington keeper. The lead could have doubled within a minute. Unlucky Stuart Cannie hit the post, with the opposing goalie rooted to the spot, and unable to have done anything to preventa goal. The Bristol team’s custodian was on hand however to save Mark Dancer’s effort from thirty yards, and keep the lead down to one at the interval.
The Hammers went in search of a second goal, and they did not have long to wait, seven minutes to be exact. Richard Jackson was picked out by Stuart Cannie with a long cross field pass. He beat his man, and a perfect cross was met by Warren Byerley at the far post to score both his and his team’s second goal. The game looked to be beyond Brislington when a cleverly taken free kick from Tim Constable curled just inside the post to make it 3-0. Brislington however had not read the script, and took full advantage of the Hammers being a man short to score. Central Defender Ollie Cherrett was on the side line waiting to come back on the field following treatment when the goal was scored. Worse was to follow when soon afterwards Brislington got a second goal to give them a possible lifeline. A cross into the six yard box was poorly defended, and this allowed a man who had been left unmarked to head home. Shortly before the end of play substitute Richard McCabe reacted to being pulled back. He and a Brislington substitute were both dismissed from the field of play, thus reducing each side to ten men. The Hammers made sure they gave nothing further away, and finished as they had started in control of the game. They now meet Taunton Town at Home in the next round.
Team: M. Peters, M. Crowe, M. Grimason, S. Gilbert, O. Cherrett, R. Dovell (R. McCabe), T. Constable, M. Dancer, S. Cannie (M. Claremont), W. Byerley, R. Jackson. Unused Subs L.Thomas,G. Horlock, C. Yelland

Dorset Premier League (Tuesday 26-08-08)
The Reserves can feel a little unlucky not to have taken all three points from this match. They struck the woodwork three times in the last five minutes hitting the post twice, and the bar once. Had just one of these shots gone in it would have given a fairer reflection of the game. Over the ninety minutes the Hammers apart from a ten minute spell in the second half always had the edge, and deserved to win the game.
Greg Horlock put United in the lead two minutes before half time when he headed home a corner to give the Reserves a well deserved 1-0 lead at the break.
 Hamworthy after starting the second half well, allowed Sturminster Marshall back into the game. This proved costly when Sean Griffiths was unlucky enough to put the ball past his own keeper whilst trying to clear a dangerous cross into the six yard box after sixty seven minutes. This own goal brought the visitors equal, and try as they may Hamworthy could not restore their lead before the end of play.

Team: M. Trevor, M. Seal, C. Miles, S. Griffiths, G. Horlock. A. Tilsed, D. Orchard, M. Glavin, S. Whaley, M. Warren, M. Wynne.
Subs: J. Crossin,D, Spires, S. Coakes, L. Thomas, A. Powell.

Sydenhams Wessex League Premier Division (Monday 25-08-08)
Phil Simkins made several changes to the team that lost to Romsey in the last game. One of these changes saw Mark Claremont make his first Wessex League start as one of the main strikers along side Warren Byerley. This game was lost in the first twenty five minutes when the shell shocked Hammers found themselves three goals down,
The game was just two minutes old when Brockenhurst scored from their first attack. Tom Jeffes wrong footed Steve Gilbert on the right hand side of the penalty area before cutting inside, and shooting past, and across the stationery Martin Peters. The lead was doubled shortly afterwards when Kevin James was found out on the far left wing. His speculative cross come centre looped over Martin Peters, and into the top right hand corner of the net to make it 2-0 to the Badgers, with still less than ten minutes gone. Phil Simkin made positional changes to the back four, and at last Hamworthy looked a bit more comfortable in their play. They should have pulled a goal back when following some good inter-passing; Max Crow was left with the goal at his mercy. He looked as if he must score, but unfortunately somehow shot wide. This miss was to prove very costly to United. In the very next attack the ball was crossed into the six yard box from the far right. Max Crow who had done well to get back and cover, jumped with an opponent in an effort to clear. Once again luck was not really with Max as neither player managed to get a direct header, and the ball dropped at the feet of Kevin James who made sure from close range. The rest of the half was played out with Hamworthy being much more in the game, but still unable to pull a goal back before the break.
Half time saw the experienced Stuart Cannie on for Mark Claremont to add a bit of strength up front. The Hammers were now looking much better, and were on top for most of the second half. United deservedly pulled a goal back midway through the half through top scorer Warren Byerley. Following some good work by Stuart Cannie, Warren struck the ball hard, and low just inside the post to give Brockenhurst’s new keeper Max Frampton no chance. Hamworthy strived hard to get a second goal which would really have put them back in the game. This was not to be however, and Brockenhurst ran out worthy winners at the end thanks mainly due to that twenty five minute nightmare start by the Hammers.
United must now put these last two defeats behind them, and get back to the type of football that they were successful with only a week, or two ago.
Team: M. Peters, M.Crow, M. Grimason, Oliver Cherrett (M. Dancer), N. Walker, S. Gilbert, R. McCabe (T. Constable), R. Dovell, M. Claremont (S. Cannie), R. Jackson.  Unused Sub M. Dean

Dorset Premier League (Saturday 23-08-08)
Report From The Premier Website

League Champions Portland United started off where they finished off last season in winning form when three goals in each half saw the Islanders run in six goals with out reply against their visitors from Hamworthy United. For those who can’t remember it was Hamworthy United who inflicted Portlands only League defeat last season and that was the first match last season. A first half hat trick by Adam Linaker set the pattern and further goals game from Ross Doige, John Lamb and Alex Haloran.
HUFC Team : M. Trevor, M. Seal, C. Miles, S. Griffiths, G. Horlock, M. Glavin (M.Warren), D. Orchard, M. Wynne (A Tilsed), S. Lee-Whaley, L. Thomas (D. Watts), J. Crossin.  Unused Subs A. Powell, L. Wines.

Sydenhams Weessex League Premier Division (Saturday 23-08-08)
Following some reasonable displays in earlier matches this season, this one turned out to be a huge disapointment to the Hammers, and their Supporters. The game did not get off to the best of starts when the kick off was delayed for twenty minutes due to the late arrival of the visitors. This was caused by a build up of traffic due to a road accident on the A31.
United could not wished to have got away to a better start when following a confident opening they went ahead after only seven minutes. This followed some confusion in the Romsey penalty area,and for which the Referee awarded the home side a penalty, for hand ball. Warren Byerley stepped up to strike the ball low passed the diving Keeper into the corner of the net. Hamworthy’s lead was short lived however as the Town were back level just two minutes later. After two good tackles by Nathan Walker the ball bounced into the path of Rob Cox standing a good thirty yards out in a central position. The Romsey man hit the ball first time just inside the post, so hard that Martin Peters did not have time to move. Romsey took the lead from a poorly taken corner which seemed to confuse the normally reliable United defence. The ball was hit low into the near post and was not cleared when the opportunity was there. A Romsey man found the time to knock the ball back into the danger zone where it was dispatched past Martin Peters. Hamworthy tried to get back on terms before the interval, but were thwarted by some below par passing, and a strong well organised  Romsey Defence .
Hamworthy continued to have probably more of the play after the interval, but were once again let down by some poor defending. A Romsy Player was allowed the time to shoot through a forest of legs and int the net to make it 3-1.The Hammers cause was not helped when Ryan Dovell was dismissed for retaliation. He over reacted after being fouled, and was shown the red card. The ten men continued to take the game to Romsey, and pulled a goal back when Ollie Cherrett headed home a corner. Despite being down to ten men Hamworthy pressed hard. They again went close when Nathan Walker’s header looked goal bound before Mike hookway flung himself across goal, and tipped the ball over. Romsey took away any hope that Hamworthy might have had of salvaging the game when a quick break down the middle again found an unmarked striker .The Romsey man again shot from distance and beat the keeper with a looping shot into the top corner to make the final score 4-2 to his team.
Team: M.Peters, M. Crow, S, Gilbert, O. Cherrett, N. Walker, T. Constable (M. Claremont), M. Dancer, S. Cannie (R. Jackson), W. Byerley, R. Dovell.
Unused Subs: M. Grimason, R. McCabe,

Sydenhams Wessex Premier League (Tues 19-08-08)

This was always going to be a tough match for the Hammers against a team that they had never beaten at Victoria Park. Hamworthy also fielded several players that were waring Poppies shirts last season, so the home side had a point to prove. Bournemouth were also on an unbeaten run which included a good win over Fareham Town in the F.A. Cup.
The game was fairly evenly contested in the first half with niether side creating many chances Fawzi Saadi was proving a bit of a handful, but the United defence well led by Nathan Walker prevented any clear cut shots on goal. Hamworthy’s best two chances fell to Richard Jackson. The first when he picked up the ball on the wide left before cutting inside. He rode a desperate Poppies tackle when just inside the box that could well have been a penalty had he gone down. He stayed on his feet however, and his shot went just past the far post. Mark Dancer put the same player through again on goal, but this time his shot was hit straight at the Kenny Vaughn making the save easy. Max Crow tried his luck from forty yards, but his shot sailed just over the bar. The Poppies big central defenders were able to nullify the threat of Nathan Walker, and Steve Gilbert in the air at set pieces, and generally defended well to keep the score at 0-0 at the break.
Hamworthy had the better of the opening exchanges of the second half, and soon opened the scoring. Tom Constable picked up the ball on the wide left and despite some close attention from a Bournemouth defender was able to wip in a dangerous cross into the six yard box. The ball evaded several players from both sides, but was met at the far post by the in form Warren Byerley who made no mistake with his low shot into the net. Kenny Vaughn the home keeper pushed Michael Dean’s shot over the bar to prevent the Hammers from increasing their lead soon after. The Poppies brought on substitute Kabba Jack, and his pace together with the trickery of Fawzi Saadi gave the United defence plenty to think about, but good defending prevented Martin Peters from having to make a really difficult save. Nathan Walker, and substitute Matt Grimason both made last ditch tackles to prevent the Poppies breaking through.With five minutes of play remaining Vaughn pulled off the save of the match. Mark Dancers powerful shot looked destined for the top corner of the net until the Popies Keeper made a superb one handed save and pushed the ball round for a corner. The Hammers saw out the remainng time to record their second league win of the season.

Team: M. Peters, M. Crow, S. Gilbert (M. Grimason), O. Cherrett, N. Walker, M. Dean. T. Constable (R. McCabe), M. Dancer, R, Dovell, W. Byerley (B. Osborne)R. Jackson. Unused Subs: G.Horlock, M. Claremont.

(F.A.Cup 1st Extra Preliminary Round)
Despite a long tireing four hour trip before the game, the Hammers had enough left in in their legs to win this difficult tie quite comfortably in the end. The game was played in torrential rain on a very lush, but beautifully prepared pitch.

St Blazey were the better  team in the first ten minutes taking the game to their visitors in the early stages. Hamworthy could have gone behind early on, had not Man of the Match Ryan Dovell made a brilliant goal line clearance. It was United however who took the lead when the St Blazey Keeper did not deal very well with a free kick, and only palmed the ball down. Ryan Dovell who was following up kept his cool to rifle the ball ino the net to give Hamworthy the lead. This was slightly against the run of play with fifteen minutes of the game gone. The Hammers were denied what looked like a certain penalty when Richard Jackson was sent sprawling in the box by a St Blazey defender. The Referee allowed play to continue however, waving away all protests. Hamworthy were now on top, stretching the home defence  with some good passing football. They were once again denied what looked an even more blatant penalty with two minutes of the half remaining. A St Blazey man on the goal line  made a hash of trying to clear the ball,  and clearly prevented it from crossing the line with a combination of hand and knee, but once again the Referee saw nothing wrong.

Hamworthy continued to have the better of things in the second period. A trade mark Nathan Walker thunderbolt header from a corner looked goal bound, but it hit a defender’s shoulder on the line. Martin Peters dived to make a crucial save to keep his Team in front when he was left one on one with a St Blazey striker  following a quick break. The Hammers doubled their lead on the hour when Ryan Dovell did well to collect, and keep in a ball out on the far right.. His cross completely fooled the St Blazey Keeper, and the ball dropped into the far corner of the net. Hamworthy threatend to increase their lead still further with a series of near misses . Dovell went close on two occasions to getting his hat trick, and substitute Ben Osborne was out of luck when twice his good approach work went unrewarded, thwarted by some last ditch defending by the Cornish side. To their credid St Blazey tried right to the end, but some good defending and a little bit of bad luck prevented them from getting a late consolation. It was Hamworthy however who ran out worthy winners after 90minutes, and now go on to play Brislinton FC in the next Round at the County Ground on 30th August.

Team: M. Peters, M. Crow, N. Walker, O. Cherrett, S. Gilbert, R. McCabe, R. Dovell, M. Dean,S. Cannie (B. Osborne), W. Byerley, R. Jackson.
Unused Subs: M. Grimason, M. Dancer, M. Claremont, L. Thomas.

Sydenhams Wessex Premier League (Wednesday 13-08-08)

The real big news of the night was the appearance at the game of Tom Vavrecka,and his family. Tom was allowed out of Poole Hospital to attend the game following his recent near fatal ordeal when he was left in a coma fighting for his life. Unfortunately his new Club lost 1-0 to his old Club, following a very close game. Hamworthy were always going to find it difficult to beat a team that are one of the favourites to win the league, especially after their surprise defeat in their opening game of the season last Saturday.
The Magpies opened the stronger of the two teams, and for the first ten minutes kept the Home side on the back foot. The Hammers gradually got into the game and began to create a few chances of their own, but without causing Town’s Walker Harris to many problems. Ex Hammer Dan Cann came the closest to scoring in the first half with two long distance efforts. The first just went just over the top, but the second cannoned off the crossbar before dropping to safety with Martin Peters struggling to cover. Hamworthy were dealing well with the threat of the big, and experienced Dannie Gibbons up front, another player who started his footballing career at the County Ground before climbing the leagues. The score remained goalless at the break.
The second half continued much the same as in the first with not a lot to separate the two teams. It was not until the seventy forth minute when the break finally came when Wimborne were awarded a free kick just outside the box. The kick, when it was taken cannoned off the wall causing some confusion in the Home defence. Magpies striker James Stokoe took full advantage of the situation to scuff the ball home, and give his side what turned out to be to be the winning goal. Shortly afterwards both teams were reduced to ten men when the Referee showed both players red cards. This followed a two footed tackle by Wimborne player Pete Smith on Stuart Cannie. The Hamworthy player retaliated with a push that did not appear to merit the red card he received. A yellow would probably have been more in keeping with the offence committed, especially as the Wimborne man followed up his tackle with a punch. The Hammers tried to pull the deficit back, going close on a couple of occasions, but Wimborne defended well to the very end to win the game.
Hamworthy probably thought that they had done enough to deserve a draw, but fair play to the Magpies they took their chance when it was presented to them, which is what the Hammers need to do more often if they want a top six finish at the end of the season.

Team: M. Peters, S. Gilbert, M. Griason (M. Dean), O. Cherret(L.Thomas),N. Walker (Capt), R. McCabe, M. Crow, R. Dovell, S. Cannie, W. Byerley, R. Jackson. Unused Subs M. Claremont, C, Mutch

Sydenhams Wessex League Premier Division (Sat 09-08-08)

Despite having at least five of their First Team Squad missing for one reason or another the Hammers got their season underway with a good away win against a much improved New Milton Town. Hamworthy had to come from behind to win the match after conceding a sloppy goal after about twenty minutes of the first half.
The Hammers started the better of the two sides and it took just two minutes for Ryan Dovell’s speculative shot from fully thirty yards to test the Town keeper. Shortly afterwards a free kick taken by the Stuart Cannie led to a melee in the New Milton box before the ball was eventually scrambled away to safety. It was against the run of play when New Milton opened the scoring after approximately twenty minutes. The Hamworthy Defence did not react quickly enough when a through ball put a Town striker through on goal. Martin Peters made a brave attempt to save, but could not prevent the ball going over his body, and into the net. Hamworthy continued to look the more dangerous of the two sides. A Stuart Cannie shot from the left hand side of the box looked destined for the top right hand corner of the net until the Home Keeper pulled off a brilliant save to keep his side in front. Shortly afterwards Cannie had another goal bound effort saved, again by some great goalkeeping. Max Crow and Ben Osborne exchanged a quick one two before the resulting shot was again cleared. With two minutes of the half remaining Warren Byerley was hauled to the ground in the penalty box as he attempted to go through on goal. With the New Milton player red carded Byerley slotted the ball home from the spot for a much deserved equaliser.
As so often happens when a team is reduced to ten men New Milton raised their game after the break, and played a lot better. The game was a lot more even than it was in the first half but United always looked the more dangerous of the two teams in attack. Stuart Cannie had a couple of long shots that cleared the bar, before the Hammers took the lead. With a quarter of the game still remaining Stuart Cannie’s pass picked out the corner taker Ryan Dovell who made no mistake in scoring his side’s second goal of the afternoon. United’s third goal four minutes from the end of play was the pick of the bunch, and was applauded not only by the Hamworthy Dugout, but to their credit the New Milton bench as well. Young substitute Mark Claremont picked the ball up on the edge of the box before firing an unstoppable shot  into the far top corner of the net to make the final score 3-1 to the Hammers.
This was only the second time that the Hammers have won their opening game of the season since joining the Wessex League. The first was in August 2005, and was at Home against Bemerton Heath Harlequins under Alex Pike. This win will put Phil Simkin, and his men in good heart when they meet League Favourites Wimborne Town in their next match at the County Ground. The Hamworthy Manager should have his full squad to pick from other than Mark Dancer who is still suspended for a further game. Phil will face some difficult decisions in his team selections, but that can only be good for the Hammers.

Hamworthy United Team: M. Peters, K. Yelland, M. Grimason, G. Horlock, O. Cherrett, R, McCabe, M. Crowe, R. Dovell, B. Osborne (M. Clairmont), W. Byerley, S. Cannie
Unused Subs: J. Crossin, L. Thomas, J. Byrne.