Dorset Premier League ( Report Taken from the Poole Borough Website
A victory against their near neighbours saw Borough end 2008 at the top of the table, with Lee Thomas scoring a brace on his return to Turlin Moor in Hornets colours. But it took a superb performance from former Borough keeper Wayne Robbins to keep the score down as the home side looked to run riot after the break, which set the stage for a fightback by the Hammers in the last 25 minutes which may well have saw them come away with an unlikely point until Joe Toghill made the game safe for the Hornets in injury time.Borough opened the game on the front foot and came close to taking an early lead when Darryl Williams was sent through clear against Robbins, but as he lifted his shot over the visiting keeper Robbins stretched to get his hand to the ball to palm it away.As the Home side continued to control the game both Toghill and Simon Landers saw shots from the edge of the area charged down by a home defender, while the only area of concern at the other end was when Dan Burton had to react smartly to clear an underhit backpass.It was therefore no surprise when Borough took the lead on 35 minutes when Toghill threaded the ball through to Thomas, who beat a home defender before striking a low drive past Robbins from 10 yards out. 1-0.Further Borough pressure saw a Kenny Strong header from a corner cleared off the line while Thomas also came close to increasing the scoreline with a long range effort which went narrowly over.The score remained 1-0 at the break.
However it took just two minutes from the restart for Borough to double the lead when Toghill sent in an angled drive from the left across the penalty area and Williams arrived at the far post to lift the ball over Robbins. 2-0.On 54 minutes in a rare foray forward, the Hammers Gary Williams was denied by a superb challenge by Wayne Crutcher and the resulting counter attack sent Thomas into space but his shot was denied by the advancing Robbins who then recovered quickly to block the resulting strike from Landers as latched onto the rebound before Daryll Williams put the loose ball narrowly over.Robbins was on hand again to make another reactive block on 59 minutes after a high ball in from the right by Williams was met by Landers at the far post but Robbins got across to block the final shot with his body at point blank range. However within the same minute Robbins could do nothing to deny Thomas after Landers had sent him through on goal and he took the ball round the keeper before slotting into an empty net. 3-0.But against the run of play, the Hammers pulled a goal back on 66 minutes when Mike Wynne broke through the Borough back line and rode a challenge from Burton before converting. 3-1.The majority of pressure was still on the Hamworthy goal and Robbins was in action again, to deny shots from Thomas and John Bates and when on 79 minutes, Thomas latched on to a high ball into the area from Bates although his shot from a tight angle beat Robbins it rolled narrowly wide of the far upright.It was the Hammers though that got the ball into the net again six minutes from time, when Dan Watts converted a low left wing cross from 5 yards out to set-up a frantic final few minutes. 3-2.However Borough weathered the storm as the Hammers piled forward, and made the game safe in injury time when a perfectly weighted through ball from Martin Sault saw both Thomas and Toghill through on goal, with Toghill taking the final touch to place his low drive past Robbins. 4-2.
Team : W. Robbins, M. Seal. J. Cole, R. Flower, S. Griffiths, D. Watts, M. Wynne, A, Powell, C. Milesm G. Williams (L. Williams), S. Jones (S. Coakes). Unused Sub S. Lee-Whaley

Sydenhams Wessex Premier League (Saturday  27-12-08)
The game was played in freezing conditions with a strong wind blowing across the pitch. Taking these conditions into consideration, and bearing in mind that it was a local derby it was never going to be a football feast that the large 463 crowd could enjoy. Due to suspension both teams were without their top strikers Warren Byerley, and Charlie Austin with over twenty goals apiece, and so it is no surprise only one goal was scored. For the same reason the Hammers were also without First Team Regulars Richard McCabe and Ollie Cherrett, but this gave a chance for sixteen year old Sam Lanahan to take his place on the bench.

It was a tentative start by both sides as they tested each other out, but it did not take long for the only goal of the game to come, just eight minutes in fact, and what a bizarre goal it was. Ex-Hammer Kevin Gill collected the ball out on the right and delivered a high cross into the Hamworthy penalty box. The cross was misjudged by Keeper Martin Peters, and the ball went over his head and bounced dangerously in the six yard box. Captain Michael White attempted to hook the ball away, but only succeeded in slicing it goal wards. His second attempt to clear the ball only ended with the luckless United man heading it into his own net. This gave Poole just the start they needed to relieve any nerves they might have had.  Poole probably just had the better of the exchanges in the first half making full use of their height advantage when the ball was up in the air, which was quite often. Neither team looked like adding to the score line before the break, the nearest being a wasted Dave Sturgess effort that went high and wide.

The Hammers came back more into the game in the second half having a lot more of the possession. Lamin Dibba was forced to give away a free kick right on the edge of the box, and was shown a yellow card .He was arguably the last man, and it could have been red with a less tolerant Referee. The normally reliable Town back four again showed signs of disarray when Mark Dancer was allowed to get in a shot that hit the post before being cleared. Shortly afterwards it was Poole’s turn to hit the woodwork when another ex Hammer Mike Walker headed a Micky Hubbard free kick against the top of the cross bar before it was cleared. There were no further goals, but Poole Town must have felt relieved to get all three points from this very closely contested local derby. United on the other hand must of felt they had done enough to deserve the draw, especially losing to such a farce of an own goal.

Team: M. Peters, M. Crow, S. Lockyer, G. Horlock, M. White (Capt), S. Gilbert, R. Dovell (K. Yelland), M. Dancer, S. Cannie, T. Jeffes, R. Jackson (M. Claremont)  Unused Subs T. Vavrecka, S. Lanahan

Dorset Premier League (Saturday 20-12-08)
Part of report taken from the Dorset Premier Website

The Reserves once again gave a good account of themselves against a strong experienced team who will be chasing the title at the end of the season along with about four other clubs. Once again they were short of several of their players who had been called into the first team squad, and were without the experienced Darren Orchard who was on holiday. The team once again included Under Eighteen players gaining experience of men’s football, among them Sam Lanahan who scored both the United goals.
Without a game for six weeks Hamworthy Recreation lacked match practice, but they did take maximum points against their local visitors Hamworthy United with a 3-2 win. The Recreation took the lead in the 18th minute with a goal from Tom Willis but the Hammers hit back to equalise within 5 minutes through Sam Lanahan, but on the half hour The Rec restored their lead with a strike from Wayne Hole. With ten minutes left Darren Elmes put the game beyond the Hammers. Just before the end United made the score more respectable with another goal from Sam Lanahan. This was Hamworthy Recreations 8th League win as they stay in 4th place.
Team: W.Robbins, R. Flower (G. Williams), C. Miles, J. Cole. S. Griffiths, M. Seal, A. Powell, S. Lanahan, M. Wynne, D. Watts, S. Coakes.
Unused Sub: J. Keating

Sydenhams Wessex Premier League (Saturday 20-12-08)
Before the game everything pointed to the fact that this would be a very closely contested match, and so it turned out to be. Hamworthy had won seven of their previous nine league games, and their visitors had gone eight games unbeaten, so a great deal was at stake on the day. The pitch was a bit sticky on top, but other than that the playing conditions were fine.

Christchurch began the game a little bit the brighter of the two teams, and soon had Martin Peters at full stretch to save from a corner. The Hammers eased their way into the game, and play was then evenly contested with neither team getting a clear cut chance on goal. The break through came in the twenty fourth minute when following a corner Ollie Cherrett scrambled the ball home after Christchurch failed to clear their lines. United could have had a second goal soon after when Stuart Cannie was found on the left hand side of the six yard box. He picked out Warren Byerley who shot from close range, but the ball struck Keeper Stewart Kearns who was stood in the right place at the right time to prevent the goal. Hamworthy at this point were slightly on top of a typical local derby, and looked the stronger of the two teams, but the score still remained 1-0 at the break.

The close contest continued in the second half with chances few, and far between. Graham Kemp made changes to two of his front runners, Gareth Barnes and Paul Rideout were both replaced after having a disappointing first half. His team did come more into the game after this, but it was the Hammers who almost scored again. A Stuart Cannie cross again found top goal scorer Warren Byerley with just the Keeper to beat. Byerley headed powerfully goalwards, and was already celebrating when Stewart Kearns made a brilliant save to deny him the goal. Christchurch had a couple of chances towards the end of the game, but these were well dealt with by Martin Peters to ensure his side a well deserved victory.

Team: M.Peters, M. Crow, S. Lockyer, O. Cherrett (Capt), M. White, S. Gilbert, R. McCabe, M. Dancer, S. Cannie (R. Jackson), W. Byerley, R. Dovell.  Unused Subs: Greg Horlock, M. Claremont. T. Vavrecka.

Sydenhams Wessex Premier League (Wednesday 17-12-08)
Report Taken From The Sydenhams Wessex Website
For the first 20 minutes of this game, the players struggled to put two passes together as both sides took an age to settle down.However Hamworthy finally took the lead midway through the half when OLLIE CHERRETT scored with a simple header from a free kick.Shortly after the talented Kabba Jack was played through but his snatched shot went wide when he had a clear sight of goal. This was a golden chance for Poppies to get back in the game and they were made to pay by Hammers who doubled their lead on 36 minutes; again from a set piece. This time it was a far post corner that was headed in by STEVE GILBERT.
Once again Jack had a chance to get Poppies back into the game as he got to a ball before Martin Peters but his header trickled wide.
n the second minute of stoppage time Stuart Cannie cut in from the right and his shot was spilled by Kenny Vaughan in the Poppies goal. RYAN DOVELL reacted quickest to the loose ball and scored Hamworthy’s third

Half time: Hamworthy United 3 Bournemouth

The first chance of the second half fell to Warren Byerley but this time Vaughan made the save.For the next 25 minutes there was a remarkable turnaround in the balance of the game. Poppies skipper Scott Sanderson pushed up alongside Kabba Jack and between them they ran the Hammers defence ragged.It would be easy to say Hammers were sitting back on their lead but they were clearly rattled as they began to argue with each other. With better finishing Poppies had enough chances during this period to at least pull back the deficit or even go ahead.
Instead they had to settle for one goal from the penalty spot on 57 minutes. Kabba Jack was felled in the area by Michael White and the penalty was finished convincingly by JAKE ORMOND.With 15 minutes to go Hamworthy at last got back into the game as Warren Byerley fed Sam Lockyer but his cross shot was deflected for a corner.Poppies finally ran out of steam and the game finished quietly with neither side able to create any clear chances.

Final score: Hamworthy United 3 Bournemouth 1
Teams:Hamworthy United: Martin Peters, Max Crow, Richard Jackson, Ollie Cherrett, Michael White, Steve Gilbert, Rich McCabe, Ryan Dovell, Stuart Cannie, Warren Byerley, Sam Lockyer. Subs: Tom Jeffes, Mark Dancer, Greg Horlock
Bournemouth: Kenny Vaughan, Dan Jones, Wayne Crutcher, Stuart Langrish, Danny Neville, Scott Sanderson, Fawzi Saadi, Gary Langrish, Jake Ormond, John Blake, Kabba Jack. Subs: David Wrixton, Jack Swann, Micky Toy

Dorset Premier League (Saturday13-12-08)
In one of the few games that were played in the area Hamworthy Reserves lost to the team that had gone eight games unbeaten, and are now in 2nd position in the league. The Hammers fielded several under eighteen players all of whom gave a good account of themselves, and certainly did not deserve to lose by three goals. In fact for some periods of the game they were on top, and with better finishing in the first half they could have gone in a couple of goals up.
Hamworthy were a goal behind before they even had chance to settle. A Keith Middleton corner was headed in by Paul Hunnybun after only three minutes. The ex-Hammer took full advantage of some hesitancy in the Reserve’s defence to nip in and score at the near post. The Hammers picked themselves up, and gradually got back into the game. Both teams attacked at every opportunity and there were goal scoring chances created at both ends. On at least three separate occasions the Holt Keeper misjudged crosses, but Hamworthy failed to take full advantage.  The score remained therefore 1-0 to the visitors at the break.
 Soon after the interval Steve Gilbert (playing in an unusual mid-field position for him) should have scored with just the Keeper to beat, but the Holt man made a good save.The Reserves continued to give as good as they got until Holt were awarded a penalty from which Steve Devlin scored in the 60th minute. This was much to the surprise of most people at the County Ground including the players .The Referee described it after the game as one of the softest penalties he has ever given. Evidently a Hamworthy player clipped a Holt attacker‘s heel as he went by him., but failed to bring him down. Despite this set back the Hammers continued to take the game to Holt winning a series of corners, and from one of these Steve Gilbert scored with a powerful header to make it 2-1. The Ressies at this point looked quite capable of getting at least a point from the game. With just six minutes remaining they were once again made to pay for a defensive slip as the Visitors added a third through Sam Vine. This goal seemed to knock the fight out of the Hammers, and Holt scored a fourth with a cracking long range effort from Steve Devlin just before the end.
The end result makes it look an easy Holt victory which it certainly was not. A 2-1 win for the visitors would have been a truer reflection of the game. The Reserves should take heart from the game. If they to play like this against lesser teams in the league, and continue to improve they will soon rise up the table.
Team: W. Robbins, R. Flower, G. Horlock, S. Griffiths, J. Cole, C. Miles, S. Gilbert, M. Wynne (S. Jones), D. Orchard, M. Claremont (S. Lanahan), S. Coakes (D. Watts).  Unused Subs : G.Williams, A Powell

Sydenhams Wessex Premier League (Wednesday 10-12-08)
( Match Report Taken From Sydenhams Wessex Website)
In the opening few minutes Hamworthy gained several corners. Nick O’Donnell in Hamble’s goal dealt well as the kicks though one was cleared from the goal line by a defender.
With vitually their first attack after 11 minutes Hamble took the lead. They were awarded a free kick 25 yards from goal and RICKY RAWLINS placed the ball with pace into the top corner giving Martin Peters no chance.Shortly afterwards Hamble had another chance to score when Peters penalized for picking up a deliberate back pass but the kick came to nothing as Simon Quirk sliced the ball wide of goal.Hamworthy at this stage were struggling to put together constructive moves though slowly they fought their way back into the game. Stuart Cannie fired over then Ryan Dovell was wide with a header.On the half hour Hamworthy managed a controversial equaliser through STUART CANNIE. Richard Jackson crossed from the left to Cannie whose first effort was parried by O’Donnell. Cannie reacted quickly to the rebound scooping it into the net with Hamble defenders vainly claimed hand ball.
n the remainder of the first half, both side created a series of half chances but the sides went in all square at the break.

Half time: Hamworthy United 1 Hamble ASSC 1

The first chance of the second half fell to Stuart Cannie but his shot was well saved by Nick O’Donnell at the expense of a corner.Hamworthy then scored two goals in seven minutes which effectively settled the game. First on 54 minutes RYAN DOVELL burst onto a loose ball, advanced unchallenged into the area and placed the ball wide of O’Donnell into the corner of the net from 10 yards.
Then Warren Byerley fed Max Crow whose cross could only be palmed away by O’Donnell into the path of STUART CANNIE who scored from close range.
At this stage Hamworthy were well on top and it was no surprise when they extended their lead on 69 minutes. Steve Gilbert passed to WARREN BYERLEY in the penalty area who swiveled and scored with a cross shot. It was fair reward for Byerley’s hard working performance.After the game had started so well for Hamble it was perhaps unjust that they found themselves with a three goal deficit but by this stage they were a well beaten side. In a rare attack Adam Headington drew a diving save out of Martin Peters.Late on Hamworthy’s Richard Jackson was denied a clear penalty when the victim of a late tackle and Tom Jeffes, on as a substitute, went just wide.

Final score: Hamworthy United 4 Hamble ASSC 1

Team: Martin Peters, Max Crow, Richard Jackson (Tom Jeffes), Olly Cherrett, Michael White, Steve Gilbert, Richard McCabe, Sam Lockyer, Stuart Cannie, Warren Byerley, Ryan Dovell. Unused Subs: Mark Dancer, Karl Yelland, Greg Horlock, Jordon Cole

F.A. Vase 3rd Round (Sat 6th December 2008)
Hamworthy’s long FA Vase run came to an end at the County Ground when despite a brave fight back in the second half saw them beaten by a strong Hungerford Town side. The experienced Visitors reached the last eight in last year’s competition, and they have reached the semi-final of the vase three times previously in their history. I doubt whether many would argue that over the ninety minutes Hungerford deserved their win, but a 3-1scoreline was just a little harsh on the Home side.
The Hellinic League Leaders came out strongly, and attacked Hamworthy right from the first whistle. The United defence were at times at full stretch just to contain the big Town attack in the opening few minutes. Hamworthy thought they might have had a penalty when Warren Byerley appeared to have been fouled from behind just inside the box, but the Referee waved play on. Hungerford deservedly took the lead from a corner that they had practiced on the training ground. It was identical to one that they had performed, and just missed from a minute earlier The ball was knocked short before it was crossed into the six yard box .A Town attacker rose unmarked, and scored with a bullet header that gave Martin Peters no chance. The Hammers did get a little more into the game after this, but they were unable to get in a real telling shot on goal. Hungerford too were unable to add to their lead, and so the score remained 1-0 at the break.
United came out a different team in the second half, and for the first time took the game to the opposition. The Town defence looked nowhere near as solid when they were put under real pressure, and began to make mistakes. Hamworthy’s efforts were rewarded when Stuart Cannie won the ball in the air and knocked it on to Warren Byerley. The United top scorer rose unmarked to nod a looping header over the stranded keeper into an empty net. United were now playing their best football of the game, and a rasping low shot from distance by Ryan Dovell was saved at the second attempt by the very good Hungerford keeper. Against the run of play MAX Crow was harshly penalized for a tackle just outside the penalty box which was to cost the Hammers the game. After very carefully lining up his wall Martin Peters was then beaten by a ball that went round the outside of the wall, and just inside his left hand post to restore the Town lead. This knocked some of the stuffing out of the Hammers, and heads dropped for a while. The outcome of the match was assured when Hungerford scored a third goal with virtually the last kick of the game as Hamworthy pressed up in search of an equalizer. United were on the day beaten by a better team, but they were certainly not disgraced.
Team: M. Peters, M. Crow, S. Lockyer, O. Cherrett (Capt), S. Gilbert, T. Constable (R. McCabe), R. Dovell, M. Dancer (K. Yelland), S. Cannie, W. Byerley, R. Jackson.
Unused Subs W. Robbins, G. Horlock

Dorset Senior Cup Quarter Final (Wednesday 03-12-08)
Written with the help of the Sydenhams Wessex Website Report

This Dorset Senior Cup tie was the first of two meetings in December between the local rivals from across Poole Bay and there was a semi final place at stake. The Hammers were several players short especially in the Central Defender position, for one reason or another. Only Ollie Cherrett returning from injury was available to play there and he was partnered by all rounder Ryan Dovell. Top scorer Warren Byerley and midfielder Richard McCabe were both rested for Saturday’s Vase game.

Hamworthy were first off the mark when a long shot tested Grant Porter in the Poole goal in the first minute but it was Poole who made the breakthrough in the 7th minute. Martin Peters in the Hamworthy goal failed to deal decisively with a corner and Simon Browne crossed the ball back in for CHARLIE AUSTIN to head in at the near post.Just after Kevin Gill for Poole was just wide and a Mickey Hubbard free kick just cleared the bar after Austin had been fouled.The game then settled into a midfield battle with play frequently broken up by fouls which brought three yellow cards as the referee sought to maintain control.Although play was even, the strong Poole rearguard dealt comfortably with home side’s attacking efforts so most chances came at the Hammers end. On the half hour a Stuart Brown effort went over and the last chance of the half fell to Austin who was wide with a header.
Half time: Hamworthy United 0 Poole Town 1
After half time Poole sealed the game with an early goal as James Bailey-Pearce cut inside to supply KEVIN GILL with the chance to ram the ball home from close range.For Hamworthy, Stuart Cannie worked tirelessly and during the second half he fashioned several openings without getting the reward of a goal.In the Hamworthy goal, Peters was forced into action on a number of occasions in particular tipping a Bailey-Pearce header and a Steve Smith shot away for corners.In the end Poole were worthy winners and whilst they get back to league action with a home game against Alresford, Hamworthy will be entertaining Hungerford Town from the top of the Hellenic League in a 3rd Round F.A. Vase tie. It is hoped that the Hammers will have one or two of their missing players back for that game.

Final Score: Hamworthy United 0 Poole Town 2
Team: M. Peters, K. Yelland, S. Lockyer, M. Crow, O. Cherrett, R. Dovell, S. Cannie, M. Dancer, T. Jeffes, R. Jackson, T. Constable. Subs: J. Cole, W. Byerley, M. Claremont

Dorset Premier League Cup 1st Round 2nd Leg ( Saturday 29-11-08)

The Reserves were up against it from the start, they would have had to been winning by three clear goals at the end of ninety minutes just to take the game to extra time. They fielded several of the Youth Squad some of them still only sixteen years old. The youngsters all played very well, and deserved at least a draw for their efforts at the end.
There was nothing to choose between the two teams in the first half with neither side able to stamp their authority on the game. Very few clear cut chances were created, and neither Keeper had to make a difficult save. The nearest the Hammers came to scoring was when Sam Lanahan broke through the middle and into the box, but unfortunately could not get enough power on his shot. The Keeper was beaten, but a Sturminster defender was able to clear the ball off the goal line to deny United the lead. The score remained 0-0 at the break.
The Hammers started the better of the two teams, and almost took the lead twelve minutes into the second half. Hamworthy were awarded a direct free kick just on the edge of the penalty box by the Referee. Darren Orchard’s well struck kick took a deflection off the wall before the ball looped inches wide of the woodwork with the Keeper rooted to the spot,and well beaten. Stur immediately took play up the other end, and won a throw in which led to them opening the scoring. The ball was played into the six yard box before being laid back for the Sturminster man to scramble home. The lead was increased five minutes later as the United defence was again caught off guard. This resulted in Wayne Robbins being lobbed for the goal as he ran out to try to cut out the danger. To their credit the Hammers did not give in and their young forwards created several openings, but unfortunately could not finish off their good approach work. They did finally get a consolation goal in the dying minutes when Darren Orchard finished a good move to make it 2-1 at the end of play.
The good thing that came out of the match was that several youngsters gained valuable experience of the man’s game, and if they continue to improve in the next year or so the future of the Club can only get better.

Team: W. Robbins, R. Flower (M. Hassen), S. Coats, J. Cole, S. Griffiths, C. Miles (L. Pidgley), D. Orchard, M. Seal, M. Wynne, S. Lanahan, S. Lee-Whaley (L. Williams)   Unused Sub T. Rees