HAMWORTHY UNITED 0 DORCHESTER TOWN 3
Pre-Season Friendly ( Tuesday 21-07-09 )
The Hammers faced a team of trialists, many having just been released from a full time professional club, and looking for a contract in non league football. They were all hoping to catch the eye of the Dorchester Manager, and they proved a very stiff test for the Hamworthy team. Dorchester Town play their football in the Blue Square South Premier League some three divisions above the Wessex league team so the 3-0 final score was no more than to be expected.
Dorchester got into the game right from the kick off surprising the Home Team with their pace, and accuracy of passing. It took only a minute for them to take the lead when Adam Tong palmed away a fierce goal bound shot. Unfortunately the clearance hit James Merrit, and rebounded into the net for an own goal. Before United could recover they found themselves two goals behind with less than five minutes gone. The Magpies took full advantage of Hamworthy’s failure to clear their lines, and once again found the corner of the net. As the half progressed the Hammers got a little more into the game, but most of the danger still came from the Blue Square team. Just as it looked as if United would hold out until the break without conceding another goal, they did just that in the dying seconds of the half to make it 3-0.
HT 3-0
Both Teams made changes after the interval, and Hamworthy came a lot more into the game after that, giving the Dorchester Defence a lot more to think about. Mark Seal twice went close to getting a goal back for United. He was desperately unlucky when he broke into the penalty box, and unleashed a fierce shot that hit the underside of the bar before dropping down on the line, and rebounding to safety. Greg Horlock playing his first game since returning from holiday also went close to giving the Hammers the goal they deserved. He was unlucky with a header from a set piece. Try as they might United could not get on tothe score sheet before the Referee blew for time.
Over the ninety minutes there was no doubt that the best team won, but Hamworthy United were certainly not disgraced and a 3-1 score line would probably have been a fairer reflection of the game.
FT 3-0