HAMWORTHY UNITED 3 BUCKLAND ATHLETIC 2
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.