Sydenhams Wessex Premier Leagu ( Saturday 25-04-09)

On the last day of this seasons campaign Hamworthy United faced New Milton Town the team they had beaten at Fawcettes Field on the very first game back in August. This game however was not to be a spectacle with neither team having anything much to play for. No matter what the result of the match United would finish in eighth position, and Town in ninth place in the league. Hamworthy’s players also had one eye on the Cup Final, and were going to try and avoid taking risks where they might get injured. Keeper Martin Peters, and Mark Kenway both missed the game and must now look doubtful for the final

The game was played on a hard pitch with a strong wind blowing across the field making playing conditions far from ideal. Hamworthy had most of the play in the first half, but never really looked like taking the lead. The New Milton defence did well to restrict most of the chances created by United to long range. The nearest Hamworthy got to scoring was a Stuart Cannie effort that went just over the bar with ex Hammer,and now Town keeper Nick Jones struggling to cover. Steve Shergold at the other end was even less busy not having to produce one real save in forty five minutes, so it came as no surprise for the teams to have gone in goal less at the break.

New Milton came much more into the game in the second half, and play became a lot more even. Hamworthy thought they had scored when Nick Jones standing well behind the goal line caught the ball. Neither the Referee nor the Referees Assistant were in a position to see if the whole of the ball had crossed the line and therefore denied the loud appeals for a goal. With twenty minutes of the game remaining United failed to clear their lines, and for the first time some slack defending allowed Dan Cox to take full advantage, and score from New Milton’s only real chance of the game. Phil Simkin brought on the promising seventeen year old Central Defender Mark Jameson to make his first team debut, but Hamworthy failed to raise their game, and never really looked like getting back on equal terms.

Team: S.Shergold, M. Crow, R. Jackson, O. Cherrett (Capt), G. Horlock (M. Jamison), S. Gilbert, R. McCabe, S. Lockyer, S. Cannie, W. Byerley, R. Dovell
Unused Subs: A. Turner, J. Merritt, M. Seal

Dorset Premier League (Thursday 23-04-09)

Hamworthy United Reserves finished the season in style winning their last league game of the season 3-0 against mid table team Sturminster Newton. This was their third win in five games, and gives the United second team a fighting chance of avoiding the bottom two places. The Hammers welcomed back Darren Orchard into mid-field, and gave young striker Luke Pidgley a start up front. The team had a nice blend of young, and more experienced players which gave it a more balanced look than many of the Hamworthy United Reserve sides this season.

The Hammers began the game much the better of the two sides, and opened up the scoring with a diving header from Player Manager Gary Clark in the seventeenth minute. United continued to control the game and went further ahead when Craig Miles hit the far post, and Mark Seal’s effort in following up was put out for a corner. From the resulting set piece Mark Jameson headed home to make it 2-0 to the Reserves. Darren Orchard should have made it three when he stooped to head the ball home, but failed to find the empty net, and hit the post instead. Hamworthy continued to be on top, but were unable to increase their lead before the break.
The second half continued with the Hammers having the major slice of the play. Hamworthy’s young players Sam Coaks, Mark Seal, and Mark Jamison continued to show the improvement they have made over recent weeks in a real team effort. Another eighteen year old Emmanuel Clement (on for Manager Gary Clark), used his speed to run round the big Sturminster Newton centre half and slot the ball into the corer to make it 3-0. This effectively put the game out of the visitors reach and lifted Hamworthy three places up the league
This has been a difficult season for the Reserves for one reason or another. None of these have been the fault of the Managers Gary Clark, and Richard Flowers who are relinquishing their duties at the end of the season. They are not leaving the Club however and interviews of applicants for the post will be following shortly. The form of the Reserves especially of some of the younger players over the last weeks gives hope for next season, when I am sure we will see a marked improvement.

Team: L.Wines, S. Griffiths, S. Coakes, M. Glavin, G. Williams, M. Jamison, D. Orchard, M. Seal, L. Pidgley (J. Christopher) , G. Clark (E. Clement), C. Miles. Unused Subs: K.Pooley, J. Keating

Dorset Premier League (Tues 21-04-09)
Hamworthy Reserves were playing their third game in five days. On paper they would need a miracle to get a result from this game, and they so nearly got it. Westland came to the County Ground having lost only one league game all season, and can still finish top of the division with all their games in hand. The Reserves lost 9-0 in the away fixture, and unfortunately own the worse defensive record in the Dorset Premier. On the plus side thanks to the availability of First Team squad players they were able to field a much stronger line up than normal.

Westlands kicked off with a strong wind at their backs and soon settled into their game. United were strengthened with the inclusion of First Team Centre Back Steve Gilbert, who together with seventeen year old future prospect Mark Jamison playing along side of him, formed a formidable partnership at the heart of the Hamworthy defence. Gary Williams continued his steady progress since switching to the middle of the park, and he was ably assisted by the ever reliable Mark Seal in the mid field battle. Sports always had the slight edge, but never really got a clear shot on goal, as the whole Hamworthy side worked hard to contain them.  Just as it looked as though they had succeeded in this, Westland scored with a superbly worked goal. The Hammers lost the ball in the Sports half, but failed for once to track back. Westland exchanged passes down the right wing before crossing the ball into the six yard box where it was fiercely struck home giving Steve Wines no chance. The score remained at 1-0 at the break

Hamworthy made a couple of changes after the interval one of which was the introduction of another good future prospect seventeen year old Luke Pidgley up front. The Hammers came a lot more into the game in the second half, and created a few chances of their own, but these were well dealt with by a strong experienced Sports defence. The best chance fell to Steve Gilbert who remained up following a corner, but he was unable to finish and scuffed his shot. In the last ten minutes Mark Jamison was pushed up front in an effort to get an eqaliser, and he did very well, but without success.  Hamworthy can take a lot of credit for restricting high fliers Westland to only one real effort on goal all game, unfortunately they scored from that, and that is why they are where they are.
There have been a lot of plusses that have come out of recent Reserve Team games and one of these is if we can keep the nucleus of this side there is something to build on for the future next season.
Team: L. Wines, J. Merritt, S. Coakes, S. Gilbert, G. Williams, M. Jamison, E. Seal (S. Griffiths), M. Seal, A. Turner, L. Keighley (L. Pidgley) J. Cole      Unused Subs: G. Clark, J. Christopher, C. Miles

Dorset Premier League (Saturday 18-04-05)
The Reserves travelled to Holt United with a much weaker side than the ones that had seen them take six points from their last two games. First Team commitments left the Management Team with very little choice from which to pick the side. Having said that the people selected gave 100% in effort, and made the game a much closer affair than the score suggests. In fact the Reserves twice took the lead and were ahead up until ten minutes before half time.
 The Hammers took the lead in the 14th minute with a goal from a penalty conversion by Garry Williams but Holt hit back to equalised through Pepi Smith five minutes later. . The Hammers restored their lead with a strike from Mannie Claremont on the half hour.  Pepi Smith brought the scores level again with his second goal just before the break with a cross that ended up in the back of the net to make the half time score 2-2.
Holt took the lead with a somewhat disputed goal from a Holt corner shortly after the restart. The Hamworthy players were adamant that the ball had gone out of play from the cross, before it was flicked on to the far post for the Home side to score. United had another couple of half chances to score, but Holt made sure of their win with two goals in the last ten minutes.
With two mid week games to come the Reserves have every chance of picking up more points and move another place up the league..
Team: L. Wines, J. Christopher, S. Coakes, M. Glavin, M. Jamison, E. Clemment, L. Pidgley,
G. Williams, K. Pooley ( J. Keating) ,G. Clark, L. Keighley

Sydenhams Wessex Premier League (Saturday 18-04-09)
This was a game that the Hammers needed to win to guarantee a top eight finish at the end of the season. Both teams were not at full strength, but it was Hamworthy who appeared to want the win the game more. Steve Shergold once again deputized in goal for the injured Martin Peters, and did well to keep his first clean sheet for United.
Both teams came close to scoring in the first two minutes first Brockenhurst with a powerful shot that went just past the upright, and then Richard McCabe just missed from close range at the far post. The Hammers gradually began to get on top, and were rewarded in the 10th minute with a penalty for handball. Warren Byerley stepped up and slotted the ball into the corner of the net after sending Max Frampton the wrong way. United’s lead should have been doubled shortly afterwards when Frampton did well to push a Ryan Dovell shot onto the bar. The rebound fell to Byerley who had an open net at his mercy. The Hamwothy top striker however somehow managed to head the ball wide as he tried to direct it down, and into the corner of the net. United continued to have the better of the exchanges and were rewarded with a second goal in the 33rd minute. This was started by a good run, and cross from the right by Stuart Cannie that picked out Richard McCabe at the far post. He controlled the ball, and laid the ball back into the path of Warren Byerley at the near post to score. Most Brockenhurst chances were from long range, and were easily dealt with by the Hamwothy defence. The score remained at 2-0 at the break despite United having several other good opportunities to increase their lead.
The Hammers continued to have the major part of the play in the second period of the match, as they had in the first. The game was put out of the Visitors reach thirteen minutes after the restart. Max Crowe and Richard McCabe interchanged passes as they broke into the penalty box from the right. This time McCabe picked out Stuart Cannie at the far post with his final pass. The United striker made it 3-0 with a low shot past Frampton that gave the big Keeper no chance. Hamworthy continued to create chances including a spectacular Byerley overhead kick which just went wide. They were unable to increase their lead however, even after Brockenhurst had a man sent off, for a second yellow offence with fifteen minutes still to play.
Team: S. Shergold,S. Gilbert, S. Lockyer, O. Cherrett (Capt), G. Horlock, R. Dovell, R. McCabe, M. Crow, S. Cannie ( A. Turner,) W. Byerley,, R. Jackson,  Unused Subs : M. Seal, J. Crossin, J. Merritt

Dorset Premier League (Thursday 16-04-09)

This was an excellent away win by the Reserves giving them six crucial points in five days. Andy James once again did a splendid job in the dug out assisting Gary Clark (who played the first half), and filling in for the absent Richard Flowers who had work commitments. The Hammers were helped by the return of Mark Seal and Jim Crossin from first Team duties,and the inclusion of the experienced Aaron Turner up front making his first start for the Club. United also welcomed back Jordon Cole to the team who went on to have a very influential game. He started in midfield, and then played as Centre Half for the injured Mike Glavin.

The two Teams throughout the game were fairly evenly matched with both defences on top. and shielding their goal well. The nearest either Keeper came to being under any real pressure was when Luke Wines  did well to deal with a ball that bounced awkwardly in front of him from a free kick, just as he was about to make the save.  Aaron Turner just failed to convert a couple of headers, putting the ball narrowly wide. Mark Jamison who was doing so well at the heart of the defence was a little unlucky to be booked for pulling his man back as he attempted to get away. The same offence was later committed by a Bridport player with no caution given. The score remained at o-o at the half way stage.

Hamworthy started the second half much the brighter of the two teams, and almost took the lead. A quickly taken free kick by Jim Crossin had the Bridport Keeper scurrying across his box,only to see the ball go inches over the bar. United did take the lead in the 62nd minute through the pacey Mannie Clement who had come on for Gary Clark. He took the ball into the six yard box and forced an error from the keeper which allowed the ball to just trickle over the line. The lead only lasted five minutes when Bridport scored with a powerful shot that bent just inside the post. This was when the Hammers were down to ten men when Michael Glavin had to leave the pitch through injury. The Home Sides lead lasted even less time when Jordon Cole beat the offside trap and saw his shot once again misjudged by the Keeper and the ball allowed to creep over the line. He made up for his earlier mistakes when he did well to tip over another fierce, dipping Jim Crossin free kick from the edge of the area. Clement was unlucky not to have scored a second goal when his back heel was cleared off the goal line. Bridport tried hard for the equalizer in the remaining minutes, but Luke Wines and the United defence stood firm until the final whistle.
This win lifted the Reserves two places up the league with three games to play.
Team: L.Wines, S. Griffiths, S. Coakes, M. Glavin (J. Christipher), G, Williams, M. Jamison, J. Crossin, M. Seal, A. Turner, G. Clark (E. Clement)J. Cole.    Unused Subs: K.Pooley, J. Keating

Sydenhams Wessex Premier League (Monday 14-04-09)

The Hammers team sportingly lined up at the start of the game to applaud the Wessex Premier League Champions onto the pitch for this Bank Holiday local derby. With Poole Town wanting to maintain their unbeaten league record this season it was always going to be a difficult game for the Hammers.
Warren Byerley was unlucky not to score in the 10th minute. He showed all his skills by cleverly keeping the ball at his feet, and with his back to the goal turned his defenders. Unfortunately he was only to see his shot go narrowly wide of the goal. A couple of minutes later and Poole were 1 – 0 ahead. Following a corner the ball was crossed to the far side of the box where it was neatly headed back towards the goal. The Town attack out jumped the Hamworthy defence, and a firm header dispatched the ball into the back of the net. In the 20th minute Steve Shergood standing in for the Injured Martin Peters attempted to punch away a harmless looking cross. Unfortunately for him it presented the Poole Town winger Bailey Pearce with a gift of a header to put the Dolphins 2 – 0 in the lead. Stuart Cannie had a good chance to reduce the arrears when he broke free of some tight marking. He ran towards goal with Warren Byerley free on the left side of him. Stuart however decided to go for goal, but his shot however was not cleanly hit, and so the Poole Town lead remained intact at 2 – 0 at half time.
Hamworthy United produced their best spell of the game in the first twenty minutes of the second half. This eventually led to them pulling a goal back with Stuart Cannie making up for his first half miss. A good run on the right side from Max Crow saw Cannie connect with his cross, and guide the ball home. Unfortunately any hopes of a Hamworthy revival were soon to disappear.  Top Striker Charlie Austin produced the goal of the match with a cracking header to put the game out of reach of the Hammers. As the game reached its closing stages Poole Town substitute Dave Sturgess fired home from the edge of the box to make it 4-1.

 Team:  S.Shergood, J. Prieur- Merritt, S. Lockyer, O. Cherret, S. Gilbert (G. Horlock) R.Dovell, R. McCabe, M. Crow (M. Seal), S.Cannie, W, Byerley, R. Jackson . Unused Subs: A. Turner, J. Crossin, J. Merritt

Sydenhams Wessex Premier League Saturday 11-04-09)
There were no complaints from the Management, Players or supporters about the result following this match against their near rivals in the league. Newport with most of their players back from injury were able to field a very strong side whereas the Hammers had seven players not available from the team that drew with Poole Town less than two weeks earlier. They did however have Steve Shergold deputising in goal for Martin Peters and welcomed back Matt Grimason from University for his first league game this season. Mark Seal promoted from the Reserves, and new signing Aaron Turner were the only two travelling Substitutes.
Play was fairly even for the first ten minutes of the game, but gradually Newport got on top and went on to dominate the rest of the half. A fierce free kick was hit straight at Steve Shergold which he could only palm down before gathering the ball at the second attempt. The Islanders then hit the angle of post and bar with a curling cross. This was followed by a whole series of goal opportunities which luckily for the Hammers were not taken either due to poor finishing, or by some last ditch defending. Steve Gilbert was on hand to clear off the line when it looked as if a Charlie Smeeton header was going in. Warren Byerley was a lone figure up front, and did very well running the line single handed. He was given very little opportunity to increase his goal tally however. In fact Hamworthy’s sole first half chance came from a Steve Gilbert header from a James Merritt long throw. This was comfortably saved by Sam Webb the Newport Keeper shortly before the break.
The interval came with the Hammers still in the game at 0-0.
The second half opened with Newport again on top, and still missing chances. Gradually Hamworthy began at last to get into the game. For the first time they began to really test the Newport defence. Following some good approach work Jim Crossin shot just wide, and Steve Gilbert brought a good save from Webb from another Merritt long throw. With seventy minutes gone and the Hammers looking that they might at least snatch a draw, Newport took the lead. Following a quick break down the left the ball was fired across the face of the goal where it was met by a powerful Darren Powell header that gave Steve Shergold no chance. Any chance United might have had of rescuing a point disappeared three minutes from time with a second goal for Newport. Steve Shergold did well to push away a shot from Tom McInnes unfortunately the ball fell into the path of Charlie Smeeton who scored from close range. The scorer did well to clear an Aaron Turner shot off the goal line, and a Warren Byerley free kick in time added on was hit straight at the keeper.
Team: S. Shergold, J. Prieur-Merritt, M. Grimasson, S. Gilbert, G. Horlock, S. Lockyer, J. Crossin (M. Seal), M. Dancer (A. Turner), S. Cannie, W. Byerley, R. Jackson

Sydenhams Wessex Premier League (Saturday 04-04-09)

Phil Simkin’s favourite colour is definitely not red after this visit to Fareham, the red shirts of Fareham were far too strong for the weakened Hammers team at the end of the day. Phil was shown a red card by the referee minutes before the end of the game after the linesman reported Phil for an alleged comment made from the bench. The Hammers squad was missing 5 players from Poole Town Wessex Cup triumph four days earlier. Striker Carl Mutch was given the task of going between the sticks due to MartinPeters, and stand in Keeper Steve Shergold not being available.
By the time the Hamworthy committee match reporters had finished the pre match tray of chips the Hammers were 2 - 0 down. Two shots on goal by Fareham in the first eleven minutes and the match was really over. In fairness United played alright for the remainder of the half with Jim Crossin showing his potential for the future.  The score remained 2-0 at the break
Steve Gilbert replaced Crossin at the start of the second half to allow Ryan Dovell to play in midfield. He had started the game in the centre of the defence in place of the injured Ollie Cherrett. In the 54th minute Fareham neatly opened the United defence to increase their lead, 3 - 0.The Hammers battled away but it was always going to be game over.
I think all Hamworthy United Supporters at the beginning of the week would have settled for the fantastic victory over Poole Town, and a defeat at Fareham.

Team: C. Mutch, K. Yelland, S. Lockyer, J. Prieur-Merritt, G. Horlock, R. Dovell, S. Cannie, J. Crossin (S. Gilbert), M. Dancer (A. Turner), W. Byerley, R. Jackson

Sydenhams Wessex League Cup (Semi-Final 2nd Leg) Tuesday 31-03-09
 With a solitary goal advantage from the home leg, the Hammers knew that a goal at Poole Town last night would give them a major boost. In the final outcome away goals would count double in the event of a tie. With the Hammers yet to concede a goal in the competition, and with Poole fielding all their top guns, including a return from injury from league top scorer, Charlie Austin, and a return to Poole for Gary Funnell, clearly the Hammers would have it all to do. In front of an encouraging crowd of 514, boosted by a large Hamworthy contingent, the match got underway nearly 10 minutes late.
The early pressure inevitably came from the home side who forced two early corners, but these were well defended by the Hammer’s defence. Poole were playing with great urgency, and at a furious pace. Good defensive work from Lockyer, Jackson and Dovell thwarted any real danger. However, although the defence stayed firm against the threat of Poole’s two experienced former Southern League forwards, Hamworthy just couldn’t get any grip on the game. They found it difficult to keep possession, and It wasn’t until 10 minutes into the game that United showed that they could be a threat. Max Crow went on one of his dazzling runs down the right, and appeared to be upended from behind, but nothing was given. With Poole pushing forward, a long ball out of defence to Hammer’s hotshot, Warren Byerley, failed to get results. A heavy touch allowed the ball to run through to the Poole keeper. Poole were winning most of the aerial challenges at this stage, and picking up most of the ’second ball’ possession. Dead ball situations were always going to cause the Hammers problems in defence, especially with the delivery from former Hammer, Mickey Hubbard. Poole had a succession of corners, but Skipper Olly Cherrett and Mark Kenway, in for the unlucky and injured Greg Horlock, dealt well with these. On 16 minutes, the Hammers stunned the home crowd by taking the lead. The ball was fed in to Byerley, who turned his marker and ran at the home goal. He had support on the right with an overlap by Richard McCabe, whom he picked out. He looked up, and from the edge of the area, chipped the ball over Poole Keeper Harvel. 0 - 1 Hammers, (0 - 2 on aggregate) The game became scrappy after the goal, but Poole dominated the possession. United seemed unable to keep hold of the ball, and take the sting out of the opposition. A good move was put together down the right hand side, but Byerley was adjudged to have used his hand The Hammers did start to get a grip on the game, when Dovell had a surging run through the middle of the field before finding Max Crow on the right. His pace took him past the Poole full back, but he was pulled back. The Referee allowed Crow to have his shot, which was easily cleared. Hamworthy started to play some good football, and a move involving Jackson, Dancer, McCabe and Crow knocked the ball across the field, spreading the play from left to right, and frustrating Poole. On 33 minutes, Poole forced a corner from the left hand side, which was flicked on into the 6 yard box. It was Brown of Poole who reacted first to head in, and. make it 1 - 1 (1 - 2 on aggregate) Although it was disappointing to concede, the Hammers bounced straight back two minutes later. Richard McCabe was, clearly enjoying his role, and looked every bit a quality player. He released Max Crow on another of his runs. Crow decided to have a shot from distance, when it appeared he had time, and space to take the ball further. His shot lacked any real pace, however, and looked harmless until it appeared to take a deflection. Harvell was rooted to the spot as the ball rolled into the net to make it 1 - 2 Hammers (1 - 3 on aggregate )Hamworthy almost scored again, when from a corner on the right, Cherrett again put pressure on the Poole keeper, A subsequent header towards the Poole goal from Dovell, saw the ball hacked off the line by a relieved Dibba.In the 42nd minute, Poole forward Austin was given a free kick just outside the United area. It looked very harsh, as he seemed to fall over the ball. Gary Funnell stepped up and bent the ball round the wall, and into the bottom corner of the net. 2 - 2. This was particularly disappointing because the Referee had indicated that the kick was in-direct. He raised his arm to indicate this, but when challenged after the goal, he failed to rectify his mistake.
 Half Time Poole Town 2- 2 Hamworthy United (Aggregate 2 - 3)
Poole Town came out for the second half with all cylinders firing. As early as the 4th minute, a long ball up the field split the Hammers defence, and Taffy Richardson took it in his stride. His first touch ran away from him, but brave goalkeeping from Martin Peters smothered the ball at Taffy’s feet.  Poole started to send the long ball forward for much of the second half, which allowed United’s back four of Cherrett, Kenway, Yelland and Lockyer to grow in confidence. As the clock ticked by, the game entered a frantic stage, when Poole were shooting from all angles, and from any distance. What was needed was a bit more composure by them, but the Hammers were able to clear their lines without much difficulty. The Referee added almost 5 minutes of stoppage time before the final whistle blew to give Hamorthy the win, and put them through to the Final on May 4th against VT. All credit to Manager Phil Simkin and his staff for his selection and tactics in this game.
 
 Hammers Line-up : Peters, Yelland, Lockyer, Cherrett, Kenway, Dovell, McCabe, Crow (Merritt), Dancer (Mutch) Byerley, Jackson Unused subs : Crossin, Shergold, Holland