BRIDGWATER TOWN 3 HAMWORTHY UNITED 1
F.A. Cup 1st Qualifying Round
Once again Lady Luck decided not to reward the Hammers in a game, that at times they had more than held their own. This against a team from a higher League, and being forced to play two thirds of the game with only ten men after James Merritt had been harshly sent off for retaliation. They also lost their Keeper Ed Roberts after fifty seven minutes, but his substitute Adam Tong turned in a commendable performance including a penalty save. Max Crowe thought he had equalized with ten minutes to go, but once again the Referee harshly ruled that he had handled much to the amazement of most people watching.
The Hammers started the game well carrying on from their very good, but luckless display against the Poppies in mid week. With just two minutes gone a good run down the left wing, and cross by Richard Jackson found Jack Swann. His effort was well saved by the Bridgwater Keeper. Five minutes later following a good run by Max Crowe, Swann again had a chance to give United the lead, but this time fired just wide. The Town gradually came more into the game, and following a succession of corners took the lead in the 18th minute. The goal came directly from the corner kick that evaded everybody, and found the top far corner of the net. Hamworthy came straight back at the opposition, and the Bridgewater Keeper could only palm down a cross to Ryan Dovell whose shot was cleared off the line. United were not to be denied, and were soon back on level terms. Another Richard Jackson run and cross found Jack Swann at the far post. He laid the ball back for Stuart Cannie to score the much deserved eqaliser in thec23rd minute. The game was now much more even, but disaster was to strike when Hamworthy were reduced to ten men following Merrit’s red card nine minutes before the break. A flurry of Town activity forced the Hammers on the defensive until the Half Time whistle came.
HT 1-1
Having only ten men meant that the second half was always going to be difficult. Defender Mike Antrobus replaced Marc Jackson to help out at the back. The Hammer’s cause was also not helped when Keeper Ed Roberts had to leave the field through injury. His replacement Adam Tong was soon in action making the first of many good saves, and he went on to complete a fine match. Despite some resolute Hamworthy defending Bridgwater’s pressure at last paid dividends when they scored from a far post header in the sixty first minute. With just ten minutes remaining a quick Hamworthy break finished with Max Crow hammering the ball past the Town Keeper for what everybody thought was the equalizer. Any celebration was short lived however when the Referee ruled the goal out for a hand ball. This had been missed by most other people including the Bridgwater players who had not appealed. With five minutes to go the Home side was awarded a penalty for a foul just inside the box, but Adam Tong did well to save from the spot. In the last minute of the game Bridgwater got their third goal which was a bit cruel on a brave depleted Hamworthy effort. They were left to ponder what the result may have been with a full first choice United side with no injuries, but that would only be speculation, and the fact was they were out of the FA Cup.
Team: E. Roberts (A Tong), K. Yelland, M. Jackson (M. Antrobus), O. Cherrett, S. Llewelyn, J. Merritt, M. Crow, R. Dovell, S. Cannie, J. Swann, R. Jackson.
Unused Subs: M. Seal, C. Khinder