HAMWORTHY UNTED 0 WIMBORNE TOWN 1
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