Hamworthy United 3 Brockenhurst 0
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