Poole Town 2 Hamworthy United 2
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