BOURNEMOUTH POPPIES 0 HAMWORTHY UNITED 1
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.