Portland United 0 Hamworthy United 1
Dorset Senior Cup (Round 2)
This game was certainly not for the football purists as neither of the teams was able to overcome the adverse weather conditions, and good football was at a premium. As so often happens at Grove Corner a gale force wind blew the entire length of the pitch, and the ball spent more time in the air than it did on the ground. Portland made the Hammers battle all the way before the Sydenhams Wessex League side finally broke through with just a few minutes of normal time remaining to score the winner.
It was the Home side that opened the stronger of the two teams, and exerted early pressure on the Visitors. An early cross into the box that was dropped by Steve Shergold led to some confusion in the Hamworthy defence before Steve Llewelyn cleared. A corner followed shortly afterwards, and many of the crowd behind the goal thought that the ball had gone over the line, but the Referee did not agree, and ruled play on. This was to be the last real threat that Steve Shergold had to face from Portland for the rest of the game. The Dorset Premier Side was not helped in this department when their main striker had to leave the field with an injury. The Hammers gradually got on top and forced a number of corners (eight in total) before half time, but never really got a worthwhile strike in on goal. The Blues defence was well marshaled by young defender Lewis Whyton who never allowed Hamworthy time to get the ball down and play, and they deserved to go into the break on equal terms.
HT 0-0
For a short period after half time the Hammers at last got the ball on the deck and began to get their passing game going, but unfortunately this did not last for long. Portland now playing down the slope with the wind in their backs were unable to take advantage of this, and were restricted to long range shots that caused Steve Shergold no problems. Things livened up a little when Hamworthy made their two substitutions, bringing on new signings Larbi Mekchiche and Ryan Rule. Hamworthy were now on top, but it was not until the final minutes of the match that they finally found the back of the net. A cross from the right was nodded on by Carl Mutch to substitute Larbi Mekchiche who controlled it before slotting it through a melee of players, and in off the inside of the post. The Hammers denied Portland any chance of getting back into the game by keeping the ball until the final whistle came. The Hammers now meet Swanage Town & Herston in the next round at the County Ground on Tuesday December 1st in the Quarter Finals.
FT 0-1
Team: S. Shergold, M. K. Yelland (R. Rule), S. Browne,G. Horlock S. Llewelyn, J. Merritt, M. Crow, T. Vavreka , C. Mutch (M. Jackson),M.Dancer (L. Mekchiche), R. Jackson Unused Subs: O. Cherrett, E. Roberts