Sydenhams Wessex Premier League (Wednesday 28-10-09)

After recording their first win since late August at Winchester on Saturday Hamworthy were looking to get some sort of result in their favor from this game. Unfortunately for them it was not to be as Lady Luck dealt them another cruel blow, and they ended up losing another game in which they had more than held their own for long periods of the game. This is the second time that United have lost to high fliers Poppies, and have been beaten in the end by two sloppy goals that have cost them dearly. Simon Brown was once again forced into making changes to Saturday’s winning side with Carl Yelland and Jack Swann not available.
Hamworthy started very strongly and went straight on the attack, and they had to wait less than two minutes before opening the scoring. Stuart Cannie wasted no time in taking a cross in a central position inside the penalty area. He hit an unstoppable first time shot just inside Jason Harvell’s left hand post that gave the keeper no chance. Carl Mutch had to come off due to a migrane that had started just before the game The Hammers continued to have the better of the play, but Steve Shergold did well to prevent a Poppy equalizer. A cross found a Bournemouth striker unmarked in the six yard box, but his point blank header was somehow pushed over the bar by Shergold. Goal chances were few and far between following this and the half time interval came with United still deservedly in front.
HT 1-0
Hamworthy had two penalty shouts early in the second half, but both were denied by the Referee and his Assistant. Stuart Cannie was taken from behind by ex-Hammer Joe Byrne. It was adjudged by the Assistant however to have started outside the box, before Cannie fell just inside the area. The second saw a Poppy defender catch a ball between his arms before letting it drop inside the penalty area, but this was deemed to have been accidental by the Referee. To rub salt into the wound the third penalty, this time against Hamworthy was upheld when Ollie Cherrett was found guilty of bringing down his man on the byline just inside the area. This after the Poppy had got his shot away that was cleared safely. The resulting spot kick was duly put away by Nathan Reprah-Annav to bring the scores level. One of the best moves of the match ended with Hamworthy striking the inside of the post, and the ball rebounding harmlessly to safety with Harvell well beaten. Not for the first time this season United’s downfall came from one lapse of concentration that cost them the match. A long hopeful looping cross was allowed to bounce in the box and was gratefully accepted by the unmarked Dave Wrixton. He headed over Steve Shergold who was caught in no man’s land into an empty net. With ten minutes or so left before the final whistle the Hammers were unable to get a goal back to get at least the point that they certainly deserved over the ninety minutes, but that’s football.
FT 1-2
Team: S. Shergold, M. Antrobus, R. Jackson,O. Cherrett S. Llewelyn, J. Merritt, M. Crow, T. Vavreka , C. Mutch (M. Jackson),M.Dancer (G. Horlock), S. Cannie Unused Subs: Simon Browne , C. Khider

Sydenhams Wessex Premier League (Saturday 24-10-09)

Simon Browne is slowly beginning to restore some confidence back into a Hammers team that were sadly lacking in it before his arrival. Good displays against Shaftesbury and Newportt IOW were built on in this game, and this resulted in the Hammer’s first league win since the end of August. Simon Browne still trying to find his best starting eleven, gave Jack Swann a full game, and brought ex-Winchester player Tom Vavrecka back into midfield
Hamworthy began the game well, but the first bit of action cane from the City. The Referee awarded them a freekick in a dangerous position, but the ball flew over the bar giving Steve Shergold no problems. Max Crowe picked up the ball on the right flank, and went passed two players. His low shot across the goal beat the keeper, but unfortunately it went passed the wrong side of the post. Carl Mutch climbed above the Winchester Centre Half to meet a cross, but headed tamely into the Keepers arms. With fourteen minutes gone a Stuart Cannie cross was cleared back to him. His second cross found Carl Mutch in the centre of the goal. The big United striker made no mistake this time, and stroked the ball into the corner of the net to give the Hammers the lead. Hamworthy could have gone two up when Stuart Cannie surged forward through the middle, but his shot sailed well over the bar. As half time approached Winchester came back more into the game, Steve Llewelyn another ex- City man did well to clear following a good 1-2 as Winchester surged forward in search of an equalizer.
HT 0-1
United started the second period strongly and almost doubled their lead just two minutes in. Carl Mutch found himself with just the Keeper to beat from six yards out. A tremendous save from the Winchester custodian however kept his side in the game. The Home side was certainly not out of it, and went close with two chances of their own. From a corner their substitute went unchallenged, but luckily for the Hammers he shot over the bar. Steve Shergold then made an excellent save at full stretch to push the ball round the post for a corner. Winchester were reduced to ten men when one of their players was shown a straight red for a stamp on James Merritt. Jack Swann cut into the box, and got a good shot away but once again the City Keeper pulled off a good save. Ten men Winchester came back strongly in the closing minutes, but the Hamworthy defence held firm to record a well deserved victorythat followed a good team effort.
FT 0-1
Team: S. Shergold, C. Yelland, R. Jackson,O. Cherrett S. Llewelyn, J. Merritt, M. Crow, T. Vavreka , C. Mutch (M. Dancer),J. Swann, S. Cannie Unused Subs: G. Horlock, Simon Browne , C. Khider

Sydenhams Wessex Premier League (Saturday17-10-09)

This was one of Hamworthy United’s better performances of the season, but unfortunately once again they had nothing to show for it at the end of the game. Hamworthy battled for the full ninety minutes, and came close to getting an equalizer in the last few minutes. Simon Browne went for broke and pushed another man up front in an attempt to get at least the point they thoroughly deserved.
The Hammers opened the game strongly, and with just three minutes gone Stuart Cannie broke through the Newport defence. The United striker was off target however and sent the ball tamely past the post. Gary Streeter the Port Keeper did well to save first from first Ollie Cherrett, and then Stuart Cannie as Hamworthy forced a series of corners. They continued to have the upper hand for the first twenty minutes. The Hammers did get the ball into the net when it was worked in from the right byline and found Cannie who poked it over the line. The Assistant Referee however adjudged that the ball had gone out, much to the United players involved surprise. He awarded them a corner instead of the goal they thought they had scored. Steve Shergold did well to come off his line to charge down a Charlie Smeeton shot when he was put through on goal. Newport took the lead in the 28th minute with a strike very similar to a few that Hamworthy have conceded this season. Following a goal mouth melee the ball was cleared, but only as far as the edge of the penalty area where it was smashed back hard and low past Steve Shergold. Ollie Cherrett unluckily received a yellow card for a high tackle when it looked as if the Newport man ducked his head low. James Merrit also received a caution, but could not complain about it following a tackle on Darren Powell. The interval came with the Home side a goal to the good in a very evenly contested first half.
HT1-0
The second half followed the same pattern as the first with both teams evenly matched, but neither side able to finish off their good approach work. Following the substitution of Gary Langrish for Mark Jackson and with time running out Simon Browne pushed Steve Llewelyn up front to make three strikers. It almost paid dividends when the United captain saw his powerful header rebound off the crossbar with just three minutes to go. As Hamworthy pushed up they were nearly caught at the other end following a quick break. Luckily for them the Port substitute managed to put the ball wide, with the goal at his mercy for the miss of the match.
The Hammers received plenty of praise from the Newport camp after the game on the way that they had played. Simon Browne however said afterwards that he would sooner have played badly but won the match. There were however many good signs to suggest that with a bit of luck better times are not that far away.
FT 1-0

Team: S. Shergold, C. Yelland, R. Jackson,O. Cherrett S. Llewelyn, J. Merritt, M. Crow, C. Khinder, S. Cannie C. Mutch, M. Jackson (G. Langrish). Unused Subs: G. Horlock, Simon Browne

Sydenhams Wessex Cup (2nd Round)
Hamworthy United recorded their first win under new manager Simon Browne, but he was made to sweat for it. An equalizing goal just before the end of normal time brought back memories of recent games, when the Hammers have lost matches that they should have won in the last few minutes. With two goals in extra time this one was to end differently, and sent United and their followers home happy.
Hamworthy began the game kicking down the slope, and very quickly took control of the game. They soon got their passing game going which opened up the Shaftesbury defence, but once again the Hammer’s finishing let them down. United had what looked like a good penalty shout turned down by the Referee after ten minutes play. Stuart Cannie was sent sprawling, but the man in black waved play on much to the surprise of many. Mike Antrobus playing his first full game for the first team at right back was having a good game. He was at the start of many of United’s better moves, and Chia Khinder was working hard midfield. Stuart Cannie had two really good chances to score, but dragged his first shot just wide. He delayed his second one too long and that allowed the Keeper time to smother the ball. Shaftesbury were being well contained with only had the odd break to show for their hard work. They never really looked like bothering Steve Shergold in goal however. Hamworthy had created a lot more chances than their rivals, but once againcould not convert them to goals, and had to settle foe a goalless first half.
HT 0-0
Another good United chance went begging straight after the kick off, but luckily for them they did not have to wait much longer to break the deadlock. Mark Jackson did well to gamble and pick up a ball played out wide to the left. He took it to the byline before cutting it back for Carl Mutch to score from the edge of the six yard box. Shaftesbury enjoyed their best period of the game following a substitution. The new man attacked United at pace down the left hand side, and he for the first time in the game had the Hamworthy defence at full stretch. With time running out the Shaftesbury substitute cut inside again, this time avoiding several tackles before finding a colleague who scored from close range.
90 Mins 1-1
The Hamworthy players now looked very tired, but to their credit got back to what they were doing best in the first half passing and moving. They were now once again playing the better football and were rewarded with another goal scored by Stuart Cannie. The United player seemed to take an age before he got his shot away with his less favored right foot, but the ball did this time manage to find the net, and give the Hammers a 2-1 interval lead.
Hamworthy continued to get the better of things and Stuart Cannie scored again to remove all doubts of who was going to win. It had looked again as though he had missed his best chance as he tried to find an opening, but he did manage to squeeze the ball over the line again. Stuart Browne came on for the last ten minutes of the game to make his first appearance for the Club
FT 1-3
Team: S. Shergold, M. Antrobus, R. Jackson,O. Cherrett (G. Horlock), S. Llewelyn, M. Crow, T. Vavrecka (S. Langrish), C. Khinder, S. Cannie C. Mutch, M. Jackson (S. Brown).

Sydenhams Wessex Premier League

Simon Browne must now have a good idea of the big job he faces to restore the confidence back into a team that appear to have very little at the moment. The new Hamworthy Manager who only joined the Club two days before the game had no say in the team selection, and watched the game from the side lines. It is now getting monotonous to keep reporting that territorially the Hammers had more than their fair share of the game. However once again they failed to create anymore than a handful of chances , and failed to score. The opposition however who had no more chances did find the back of the net to win.
Once again United were the better of the two teams in the early exchanges. A Cowes defender did well to put in a last ditch tackle on Stuart Cannie as he was about to shoot from the edge of the six yard box with the goal at his mercy. The Yachtsmen gradually eased their way into the game, and brought out a good save from Steve Shergold after twenty minutes. Goal incidents were a rarity as both teams failed to create much in the last quarter of the pitch. So it was no surprise that the interval arrived with no goals being scored.
HT 0-0
Hamworthy continued to have the slight edge but never really looked dangerous in front of goal. There best chance came when a good cross found Ryan Dovell unmarked, but unfortunately he directed his header just over the bar. United’s bad luck struck again when Greg Horlock pushed his man and was sent off for a second bookable offence. His first appeared to be very harsh, and given by a Referee who issued seven in total, in a game that did not include one bad tackle. With just ten minutes remaining United were made to pay once again for their shyness in front of goal. A cross into the box was only headed back into the danger area by Steve Llewelyn, and into the path of an opposing striker. As the ball dropped the Cowes man drove it low and hard into the corner of the net that gave Shergold no chance. Despite a late rally Hamworthy were unable to get back on equal terms before the final whistle came. They lost once again to a Team that were certainly no better than them, but were able to find the net to win.
Simon Browne will be able to have another look at his team on Wednesday when they play Shaftesbury away in the Wessex Cup.
Team: S. Shergold, K. Yelland, R. Jackson (O. Cherrett), G. Horlock, S. Llewelyn, M. Crow, T. Vavrecka, C. Khinder, R. Dovell, S. Cannie (C. Mutch), M. Dancer (J. Swann)

Sydenhams Wessex Premier League (Saturday 03-10-09)
Coach Sean Bartlett took charge of the Hammers for this bottom of the league match that both teams were desperate to win. The Visitors sat one place below Hamworthy before the start of the game at the very bottom of the Wessex Premier. Hamworthy were hoping to repeat their fine win that they got back at the end of August in the away fixture, when they one 3-0. Once again United were forced to make changes to Wednesday night’s side. James Merritt was suspended for one game, and Gary Langrish was injured. Lady Luck served United another cruel blow before the kick off when Wednesday’s scorer Ryan Dovell failed a pre-match fitness test.
A strong wind and a very dry hard pitch meant that it would be difficult to play very attractive football, and so it proved. Hamworthy had the slight edge in the opening period of play, and had the first opportunity to score from a set piece in the first few minutes. Steve Llewelyn was picked out in a good position in front of goal, but unfortunately guided his header over the bar’ much to the relief of a static Town defence. Stuart Cannie also had a chance to get on the score sheet, but his low shot for the corner was well saved by Sam Webb diving to his right. It was Steve Shergold‘s turn to pull off an excellent reflex save. A cross from the right was not cleared, and found a New Milton man on the edge of the six yard box. He looked as if he must score until the Hamworthy Keeper flung himself across to palm away his powerful shot. New Milton then got on top for a short spell and the Hammers had two quick let offs in close succession. Just like the Home side however the Visitors looked very tentative in front of goal, and missed their chances.
HT 0-0
Hamworthy, now kicking with the wind hoped that the second half would prove more fruitful than the first, but this was not to be. Both teams struggled to make any sort of decent openings which resulted in very few shots on goal by either side. The game had a 0-0 result written all over it, that is until the Referee awarded New Milton what to many was thought to be a very soft penalty. Greg Horlock who had had a very good game up to that point was adjudged to have pushed a Town attacker in the back as he went for an over head kick. Shergold guessed correctly, and almost got to the penalty, but the ball found the bottom left hand corner of the net. Any hope that the goal might get the Hammers to raise their game failed, in fact it had the opposite effect. It was New Milton who were lifted, and found new confidence. They were rewarded with a well taken second goal that gave Shergold no chance, and completed a miserable afternoon for the Hammers
FT 0-2
Team: S. Shergold, K. Yelland, R. JacksonS. Llewelyn, G. Horlock, R. Dovell, C Khider , S. Cannie, M. Dancer, C. Mutch (J. Swann) T. Vavrecka, M. Crow

Sydenhams Wessex Premier League (Wednesday 30-09-09)

Following the resignation of Phil Simkin, Assistant Manager Chris Farrell took charge of the Team. From the previous game, Steve Llewelyn was suspended for one game, Jack Swann was not available due to work commitments, and Stuart Langrish was injured. One of the problems the Hammers have faced this season is that they have yet been able to put out the same team two weeks running, having had to make several changes most weeks.
Once again the Hammers started the better of the two teams. Laverstock were penned back in their own half for much of the opening ten minutes. It has to be said however that despite Hamworthy’s territorial dominance they never really created a goal chance in that time. The visitors on the other hand when they did break out did so at speed. The ball was played on the deck, up to a dangerous looking strike force. I t was just such a move that led to their first goal in the seventeenth minute. Gary Langrish failed to clear the ball, and Laverstock took full advantage to score with a low shot just inside the post. The Hammers should have been back on even terms when Max Crow was put in one on one with the Keeper, but he lifted his shot high over the bar when it looked easier to score. The Salisbury based team soon punished United again for their mistakes. As a cross came over, Karl Yelland misjudged it. He missed his header, and that allowed the ball to drop behind him straight to a Laverstock man. The L&F man noted that Steve Shergold was off his line, and lifted the ball over him into the net for a well taken second goal for the Visitors.
HT. 0-2
Territorially once again Hamworthy matched their Visitors, but in attack they still looked second best. Any hope of getting a result for United disappeared when Laverstock scored a third goal. The move started deep in the Hamworthy half, and followed some good work by the dangerous Elliot Wykes. This was finished with a well taken goal that gave Shergold no chance. The introduction of Chia Khider and Stuart Cannie gave the Hammers a bit more go. For the first time they looked to have a bit more threat in attack. Khider must take a lot of the credit for his work that led to Ryan Dovell pulling a goal back. This was the Hammers first goal in four games, and gave them fresh heart. A spirited last quarter of an hour saw United going for a second goal, but this was not to be. Once again they found themselves losing to a team that you would like to think that at full strength they would more than matched.
Team: S. Shergold, K. Yelland, R. Jackson, J. Merritt, G. Horlock, R. Dovell, M. Crow , M. Dancer, C. Mutch, T. Vavrecka (C. Khider), G. Langrish ( S. Cannie).
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