Dorset Premier League ( Wednesday 26-08-09)
Some of thisReport was taken from the Swanage Town & Herston Web-Site
Swanage suffered their first defeat of the season at the hands of basement team Hamworthy Utd Reserves. Swan’s new signing Keith Middleton made his debut against his former club but made little impression in a lacklustre team performance. Hamworthy took the lead in the first half and increased it just after the interval. Although the swans had the lion’s share of the second half they failed to capitalise on some good chances, and succumbed to a sucker punch late in the game to concede a third.The Hamworthy goal scorers were Mike Glavin, Graeme Rose, and Matt White .The result was marred by the fact that the Hammers young Keeper Adam Tong was taken to hospital with head injuries. He was given a brain scan that was clear, but was kept in for observation. This win lifts the Reserves three places up the table.
Team: A. Tong (S.Williams), M. Seal, J. Thomas, M. Smith, G. Horlock, M. Glavin, M. Jackson (L. Madgewick) (S. Coates), G. Rose, M. White, M. Dancer, C. Khinder.

Sydenhams Wessex Premier League (Tuesday25-08-09)
This was a must win game with both Teams trying to record their first league wins of the season. The Hammers had no points from two games at the start of the match, and New Milton just one point from four games.
A good run by Stuart Langrish down the left hand side of the pitch ended with a good cross. Stuart Cannie almost scored with an overhead kick, but the ball went just wide of the post. New Milton pressed with long balls over the Hamworthy defence, and from one of these moves the ball was headed just over the bar. United went close themselves soon after following some good movement, and inter-passing By Jack Swann, and Stuart Cannie. The ball finished up with Richard McCabe who fired it low past the post. After twenty two minutes it was the Hammers who made the important break through. Richard Jackson got to the bye line following a good run down the left. His low cross into the box was met by Richard McCabe who this time made no mistake in finding the net to open the scoring. A poor punch out by Steve Shergold forced him into having to make a fine save from the resulting New Milton shot, and keep the Hammers ahead at the break,
H.T. 0-1
Max Crow made a long darting run from deep in his own defence into the New Milton half. He completed the run with a great shot that was heading for the top corner of the net before the Town keeper pulled off a brilliant save. Both Keepers were kept busy on the night, and both were in top form. United doubled their lead after seventy three minutes after Stuart Langrsh had picked out Steve Llewelyn at the far post. His header hit the inside of the post, and the ball travelled along the goal line before Ryan Dovell hit it in to make it 2-0. Hamworthy through Richard Jackson and Stuart Langrish were causing New Milton trouble down both wings.
Jackson again attacked the right back, and after beating him had his goal bound shot again well saved by the Town Keeper. The same player provided the cross that led to substitute Mark Claremont heading home to complete the scoring five minutes from the end of the game.
FT 0-3
This convincing score line should give the Hammers a much needed lift to go into their next game against high flying Frone Town in the FA Cup.

Team: S. Shergold, K. M. Crow, S. Langrish, S. Llewelyn, O. Cherrett.R.. McCabe, G. Langrush, R. Dovell S. Cannie, J. Swann (m. Cla

Sydenhams Wessex Premier League (Saturday 22-08-09
The Hammers inconsistency showed itself once again in this the second defeat in the League in their first two matches of the new season. Both these defeats were against opposition who with all due respect will be probably featuring in the bottom half of the table, rather than the top at the end of the present campaign. United were unable to repeat the enthusiastic second half display of the mid week Cup Replay, but instead turned in a somewhat lethargic performance. It could be argued that key players were missing, but that should have meant that those playing would have tried that much harder, but apart from a one or two this was not apparent to those watching. It should also be said that Keeper Steve Shergold had one of his best games since joining the Club.
Both Teams had difficulty in controlling the bouncy ball on the hard pitch. This meant the ball was up in the air for a lot f the time, and passing football was at a premium. Stuart Cannie got up well inside the six yard box to direct a cross down to the Totton’s Keiran Earls right. Unfortunately it was too close to the keeper and he did well to dive and save. There was nothing much between the two sides with perhaps Hamworthy looking a little more dangerous in attack. Stuart Cannie again went close when he saw the Keeper off his line and volleyed a shot to the far corner that just went passed the post. Steve Shergold did well to hold on to and cut out a dangerous cross into the box as Totton & Eling threatened for the first time. Gary Langrish went close with a free kick with half time approaching, but chances were very few and far between.
Ht 0-0
The Hammers were now kicking their favourite way towards the Irvin Brown Stand, but unfortunately unlike Wednesday night they were unable to lift their game. It was the Visitors who came more into the game and took the game to United. Five minutes into the second half Steve Shergold showed a strong pair of hands to dive and palm away a fierce low shot to his left. Carl Much had to leave the field for the third game running, but this time it was with a badly cut eye following a collision with his own man. Totton took the lead when Max Crow lost the ball as he tried to bring the ball out, of defence. This left the ball winner with a clear run in on goal. His cross from the left was met by a shot that Steve Shergold again did well to dive, and push away. Unfortunately for him another Totton & Eling man was following in unmarked at the far post. This time he made no mistake to score and take the lead. Phil Simkin made several changes to try and salvage something from the game, but apart from a bit of a surge in the last few minutes the Hammers never looked like pulling anything back.
FT 0-1
Team: S. Shergold, K. Yelland (M. Crow), M. Jackson, S. Llewelyn, G. Horlock, J. Prieur-Merritt, R. McCabe, G. Langrush(J. Swann), C. Mutch (O.Cherritt), S. Cannie, R. Jackson. Unused Subs: K. Middleton, S Langrish, T. Vavrecka.

Dorset Premier League (Tuesday 17-18-09)

This was the Reserves second defeat making it two losses out of two this season. There were plenty of positives to be taken from the game however against a much more experienced side that was well led by ex Hammer Paul Honeybun.
The Hammers should have taken the lead when they were awarded a penalty, but unfortunately Gary Williams failed to convert the chance. Hamworthy were then made to pay for this miss when two mistakes led to Holt going into a 2-0 lead at the interval. Darren Orchard raised the hopes of the Reserves when he pulled a goal back early in the second half, but Holt soon replied to restore their two goal lead.
This was a much better Team performance, and things should continue to improve despite some difficult fixtures coming up.
Team: A. Tong, N. Hall, S. Coates, M. Antrobus (L. Madgewick), M. Smith, M. Glavin, J. Thomas (A. Jackson) G. Williams, M. White, D. Orchard, C. Khinda

F.A.Cup. Extra Preliminary Round Replay (Wenesday 18-08-09)
After a first half to forget the Hammers came storming back in the second to reach the next round of the FA Cup. This was after being a goal behind at the break, and a man down with fifteen minutes of the game still remaining. Buckland roared on by their fifty, or so travelling supporters thoroughly deserved their half time lead, as United struggled to get into the game. The second half however was a different story.
Athletic took the game to the Hammers right from the kick off, and had most of the early possession. They were however prevented from getting a real strike on goal by the Home defence, who looked fairly comfortable. United were guilty of hitting too many long balls and the mid-field was almost non-existent, with the play passing them by. The Bucks were awarded a penalty after twenty three minutes when Steve Shergold thought he had been fouled as he came to collect a straight forward looking lob into the box. He retaliated by grabbing hold of the Buckland forward, and for this the Referee pointed to the spot. Shergold did well to dive, and save the spot kick, but unfortunately for him the taker reacted quicker than the United defenders, and put home the rebound. There were no other goal scoring opportunities for either side before the break. This had been a half that the Bucks had dominated, but with very few chances never really looked like increasing their lead.
HT 1-0
It was a different Hamworthy Team that emerged after the break, and for the first time in the game they began to get their passing game together, and exert some pressure on the Athletic back line. This soon paid off when Neil Montandon punched away a high ball that fell short. A Hamworthy man collected the ball and shot, but it was cleared off the line. The ball was met this time by a diving Greg Horlock found the corner of the net with his header to make it 1-1. This lifted the Home Team, and the Hammers were soon to take the lead with what could be the goal of the season. Substitute Gary Langrish playing his first game for United since his return to the County Ground volleyed an unstoppable shot past the helpless Montandon with his first touch of the match. This was from fully 30 yards out on the left hand side of the pitch. Hamworthy were now on top and looked comfortable until Carl Much as in the first match was dismissed somewhat controversially for a second yellow. He had received the first for kicking the ball away in the opening half, but then was dismissed for a fifty- fifty challenge which many thought had won by getting to the ball first. As in Saturday’s game this lifted the Bucks, and they drew level with less than ten minutes to go. Hamworthy lost the ball in mid field trying to play it out, and paid the price for it. Some of their supporters now sensing extra time, and a possible victory against ten men celebrated by running onto the pitch, much to the annoyance of the Referee. These celebrations were short lived however because within two minutes the Hammers had regained the lead. This time it was a very well taken goal by another substitute Stuart Cannie who kept his head to find the back of the net. This gave his side the victory that at half time had looked beyond them. They now have to overcome Frome Town the newly promoted team from the Southern League who beat Poole Town 3-1 at Tatnam last season in the FA Cup.
Team: S. Shergold, M. Jackson (S. Langrish), S. Llewelyn, G. Horlock, T. Vavrecka (G. Langrish), R. McCabe, R. Dovell. C. Mutch, K. Middleton (S. Cannie) R. Jackson. Unused Subs O Cherrett, J. Swann, J. Merrit, A. Tong.

Dorset Premier League (Saturday 15-08-09)
The United Reserves found themselves a goal down with just a minute & a half of the game gone when they failed to defend a cross to the far post. Tom Richardson rose unchallenged in the six yard box to head the ball back into the top corner. The young Weymouth side was a lot better organized than the Hammers having played together as a team for the last couple of years. Their speed and passing kept United on the back foot and the same player scored a second after twenty seven minutes. Hamworthy gradually dragged their selves into the game, but were unable to create many scoring chances of their own before the break, and went in 2-0 down.
The Hammers started the second half a lot better, but once again a defensive slip led to a third goal. Martin Smith who up until that point had had a good match slipped as he tried to control a long clearance. This allowed the ball to run on to Carl Foster who kept his cool to slip it past the advancing Adam Tong. Hamworthy were unlucky not to get a goal back as they continued to get more into the game. They did have the ball in the net, but only to have it ruled out by the Referee for an infringement which very few other people saw. Try as they may United could not score,but they could have few complaints about being beaten by a very good young side, that I am sure will surprise a few other Dorset Premier teams.
Team: A. Tong, G. Williams, T. Thomas M. Antrobus, M. Smith, L. Madgewick M. Wynne, G. Clark, M. Glavin, M. White (A Jackson), D. Orchard, C Khinder.

F.A.Cup. Extra Preliminary Round (Saturday 15-08-09)
The Hammers arrived in Devon to bright yellow sunshine and to a sea of yellow shirts filling one of the best grounds we have visited in our travels. On a well prepared pitch and in blazing sunshine the game started well for the Hammers with two good chances missed in the first three minutes. Steve Llewelyn headed over from a good cross from Mark Jackson. Max Crow lobbed the ball over both the advancing keeper and the cross bar. Minutes later Mark Jackson took a free kick on the right hand side and cleverly went for goal putting his shot to the right hand side of the wall only to see the ball go narrowly wide of the post. The game flowed with both teams pushing for the opening goal, and both created, but failed to take some of the good chances made. United had Richard Jackson harshly booked for handball in the centre of the field, and Carl Mutch was booked for something he said to the referee. In the 41st minute Mark Johnson quickly took a free kick and aimed it to the far post. Carl Mutch headed it across the goal line, but in trying to clear the defender put the ball over the lineto put the Hammers in front. Hamworthy deserved going in at half time with this narrow lead as they had worked hard and looked disciplined and well organised.
The second half started with Jack Swan replacing the injured Warren Byerley. Again the Hammers started well with Mark Jackson having a very good debut game. He was causing the Bucks some problems with his crosses and free kicks. Both teams were pressing forward and the game was tense with just the one goal lead, Buckland put the ball into the net in the 70th minute, but the linesman flag was raised for offside before the ball was headed in. Minutes later United broke forward and as the ball was in the air just outside the box the Buckland goalkeeper and Carl Mutch clashed. Both were going for the header, but the referee gave Mutch his second yellow card that saw him leave the field. Most Hammers fans and players thought this was a very bad decision. If the opponent had been an outfield player attempting to head the ball a free kick or a yellow card would not have been given. However this does show that getting booked for needless backchat is a stupid offence, and does lead to these situations of receiving second yellow cards. Hamworthy now with ten men started to look shaky, and unsettled. This gave Buckland the lift needed to raise their game and United were now under constant pressure from the home side. Cannie replaced Swann in the 80th minute to assist in the Hammerstrying to keep possession of the ball, but Buckland were strong now and were after the equalizer. With 5 minutes to go United were under a lot of pressure, and as Max Crow attempted to play forward from the edge of the box the ball was won by Buckland. Their forward neatly slotted home the equaliser. Buckland were now sensing victory and it was going to be a long last 5 minutes for the Hammers.90 minutes were up, and they were hanging in there. In the 2nd minute of injury time a bullet of a shot from well outside the box was launched by Buckland. The shot hit the corner of the bar and post with such force you could see it bend. At last the whistle went and both teams exhaustedly left the pitch, and both sets of supporters headed for the bar to discuss the game. Congratulations must be given to both teams and thanks must be given to Buckland Athletic for such a warm welcome.
Team: S. Shergold, M. Jackson, S. Llewelyn, G. Horlock, T. Vavrecka, R. McCabe, M. Crow (J. Merrit). C. Mutch, W. Byerley (J. Swan, S. Cannie), R. Jackson. Unused Subs K. Middleton, O Cherrett.

Sydenhams Wessex Premier League (Saturday 08-08-09)
The Hammers started the new season by losing to a team that had never lost to before. This was after they had dominated the opening twenty minutes, and taken a well deserved lead. It was true to say that playing good football on such a hot day was not made any easier by a hard bumpy pitch. This led to an uneven bounce of the ball that made the passing game very difficult. Hamworthy should still however had enough experience, and skill to have got something out of the game.

The Hammers made a bright start kicking down the slight slope, and had the Home Side pinned deep in their own half for much of the early exchanges. The Hamworthy pressure soon paid dividends when they took the lead after twelve minutes. The ball was cleared out to the right, but only found Richard McCabe some twenty five yards out who hammered his shot back past keeper Tony Horrop and low into the far corner of the net. The Hammers almost went two up soon after when they hit the base of the post with the keeper again well beaten. The very tall Nick Edgington kept the Hamworthy Central Defenders on their toes with his height and strength. Apart from him they looked fairly comfortable until the twenty eighth minute when two mistakes led to the eqalising goal. Firstly Max Crowe got robbed of the ball as he tried to carry the ball out of defence. This gave back the possession to the Islanders. The through ball appeared to be well covered by Greg Horlock who went to pass it back to his Keeper. Unfortunately he did not seem to notice that Steve Shergold had charged off his line to cover the same through ball. The pass back hit the advancing keeper and rebounded to a Hayling player who had the simple task of knocking the ball into an empty net. The Home side took fresh heart from this gift, and came much more into the game for the rest of the half.
HT 1-1
The second half started much as the first with Hamworthy having more of the play but this time without really testing the keeper. Large appeals for a penalty were turned down by the Referee when Stewart Cannie appeared to have been taken out from behind. Once again the Islanders scored against the run of play. This time firing a low deflected shot past the unlucky Steve Shergold who appeared to have the original shot well covered. Hayling raised their game again, and did not allow Hamworthy the time or space to get back into the match. The Home side now wanted the win more than the Hammers, and it was not until the last five minutes, and after a couple of late substitutes that Hamworthy looked like getting an equalizer. They went very close with a couple of near misses near the end, but full credit to Hayling who held on for all three points.
Team: S. Shergold, K. Yelland, R. Jackson, O. Cherrett (M. Jackson) G. Horlock, S. Llewelyn, R. McCabe, M. Crow, S. Cannie (K. Middleton), W. Byerley, J. Prieur-Merritt. Unused Subs G. Clarke, T. Vavrecka, A. Tong

Pre-Season Friendly (Saturday 01-08-09)
After playing so well in the pre-season Friendly matches against teams from the Southern League, the Hammers once again showed their Achilles heel by losing to Verwood Town from the Wessex Division one. United who lost to Hamworthy Recreation the previous Saturday, have a history over the years of doing well against the better teams, but losing to sides that you would expect them to beat. This however should take nothing from Verwood, or Ham. Rec. Both teams played exceptionally well, and thoroughly deserved their wins.
The Hammers started well in the opening few minutes playing some good passing football through the Town defence. With just five minutes gone Hamworthy were awarded a penalty following a somewhat desperate late challenge inside the box. The normally reliable Warren Byerley stepped up and missed his first penalty for over twelve months. Instead of burying the ball low in the corner as he usually does, he lifted it to a comfortable height for the Keeper to dive to his left, and push it away. This let off lifted Verwood, and seemed to demoralize the Home Team, who stopped playing the passing game and went for the longer ball option instead. The Town began to push forward with some good approach work, and Steve Shergold had to fling himself to his left to push a fierce goal bound shot round the post. The Town continued to give United plenty to think about, but with half time approaching it was the Hammers who had Verwood under pressure defending in their six yard box. However a quick break down the left in time added on saw a United defender fail to make his tackle. This allowed the Verwood man a free run into the penalty box. He unleashed a great finish into the corner of the net to make it 1-0 to the visitors.
HT 0-1
As expected both teams made changes after the break, and the Hammers came more into the game although play generally was fairly evenly spread.
It was one of the half time substitutes Mark Claremont who brought the scores level. Ollie Cherrett headed on a corner for the young striker in the six yard box to volley the ball home. Another moment of carelessness by Hamworthy cost them the game. Following another spell of United pressure another quick break out was not covered by a stretched Hamworthy defence. The Town man was given the time to draw the Keeper before slipping the ball past him, and into the empty net for a well deserved Verwood victory.
FT 1-2