F.A. Youth Cup 2nd Qualifying Round (Monday 06-10-08)

The young Hammers did the Club proud losing to a side that have yet to be beaten this season, and play their league matches in the Conference Academy League. The score line flattered Havant who probably just edged the game over the ninety minutes, but were never two goals better than United. Their three goals all came in the first twenty minutes from quick breakaways all started in their own half.
United were caught in the sixth minute by a fast break down the right. Tom Rees did well to dive and save the shot from the resulting cross into the box. He could do nothing about the second which was scored from close range by a forward latching on to the loose ball from the save. Hamworthy should have had a penalty as the Havant Keeper bundled over Lewis Williams as he attacked the ball well inside the area. The Referee however allowed play to continue, and from the clearance the Academy Team broke quickly to score their second goal. They added a third identical goal soon after as the Hammers struggled to contain their very quick and strong front runners. To their credit United continued to play their passing football, and did well to prevent conceding any more goals before the break.
Hamworthy were the better side in the second half creating more chances of their own. They closed Havant down a lot quicker than they did in the first half, and prevented them from getting many goal scoring opportunities. The Hammers got more on top as the half went on, keeping Havant at full stretch to contain them. Unfortunately for the Hammers it was not until seven minutes from the end that they got a goal back with a good sweeping move up field of their own. Dean Macklin was on hand with a superb finish at the end of the move that gave the Keeper no chance, and gave United a much deserved consolation goal.
This was a good all round display which bodes well for the future, and all the boys can take great pride in their performance. After going three goals down so early in the game many teams would have folded, but to their credit they battled until the end.

Team: T. Rees, S, Phillips, S. Fox, J. Smith, J. Cole, M. Seal, T. Holden( J. Beale)
R. Norris, W. Lewis( L. Pidgley), B. Conner( S. Lanahan) D. Macklin          Unused Subs: T. Smith, R. Hampton-Brown

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