Sydenhams Wessex Premier League (Saturday 26-12-09)
(Match Report Taken from Bournemouth Daily Echo 28-12-09)
SIMON Browne probably wished he had continued his well-trodden path towards the home dug-out at Tatnam on Boxing Day. But the former Poole Town defender, now Hamworthy United boss, was instead forced to watch his side’s defensive frailties cost them at least a share of the spoils on the other side of the lifting bridge.
Luke Whitley’s header, bedded deep into a Hammers defensive horror show just before the hour mark, was quickly followed by Stuart Brown’s effort for Dolphins, while Steve Smith bagged a third late on. But it was Whitley’s opener that riled Browne after struggling Hammers had more than held their own against the reigning Wessex League champions during a dogged opening 50 minutes.
Browne said: “For nearly an hour, we competed with them and we had a couple of chances ourselves. I said at half-time that we needed to keep doing what we were doing. But we gave the first goal away and it went straight through (keeper) Steve Shergold’s hands. It was frustrating because I know the Poole team and I had told the players who they were marking and made sure they knew their jobs.
“Unfortunately one player didn’t do it and Luke Whitley had a free header. I wheeled away from the dug-out and kicked a bucket in frustration because if someone had smashed it in from 20 yards I’d have said ‘fair enough’. “They scored again a few minutes later and it was pretty much game over then.
“It’s frustrating because you tell players what jobs they have to do and then they go missing. I’ve been drumming it into them because you can get things right nine times out of 10 in defence, but the one time you don’t, the better teams punish you.” It was Browne’s first trip back to Tatnam since taking the County Ground reins in October following Phil Simkin’s departure. The former Salisbury City defender captained Tom Killick’s side to the Wessex League silverware last term.
Browne added: “I was back at my old stomping ground and I got a great reception, which was nice. I was walking across the pitch before the game and I was heading for the home dug-out, but these things happen! It was nice to go back there, but I wanted to get something out of it.”
Dolphins boss Killick said: “We were a little bit lackluster and until we scored the first goal, it was a little bit in the balance.
“I think we controlled the game from start to finish, but we weren’t very good in the last third and Hamworthy defended doggedly.”
Team: S.Shergold, R. Rule, R. Jackson, O. Cherrett, G. Horlock, J. Merritt, L. Diaper, J. Barron (T. Vavrecka), M. Dancer, L. Mekchiche, T. Toghill, (M. Crow)

Sydenhams Wessex Premier League (Tuesday15-12-09)

Simon Browne’s already depleted squad got even smaller when Karl Yelland pulled up in the warm up and was unable to play. He was already without Larbi Mekchiche, Stuart Cannie (both ill), Jack Swann and Carl Mutch (work commitments and injured). This left him with only two outfield players including himself on the bench, and new signing mid fielder Lee Diaper having to fill in as a makeshift striker
Hamworthy were facing a very good Blackfield and Langley team eager to get revenge for their recent defeat at the County Ground. The big pitch certainly helped their style of play which was to get the ball up to their very quick strikers as soon as possible. The game was played at a very fast pace throughout and for most of the first half the Hammers more than held their own. One quick break through the middle after fifteen minutes allowed a Blackfield man one on one with Steve Shergold. The United Keeper did well to dive to his left, and push the ball away to safety. With half time fast approaching, and with a small element of bad luck Hamworthy fell a goal behind. Blackfield and Langleys play maker Neil Williams burst into the box and hit a great shot that hit the far post. The ball rebounded and hit another Blackfield man whose effort was blocked on the line. The ball again fell kindly to Ousmane Drame standing a yard out, and this time found the back of the net. This was the first of his three goals, but some United men appealed in vain for off side against a Blackfield man stood alone on the goal line when he scored.
HT 1-1
Not for the first time this season the Hammers were once again caught cold at the start of the second half. Straight from the kick off the Home Side broke quickly, and found a man unmarked in the United six yard box. Shergold did brilliantly well to get down, and push the ball away, but this was all to no avail when Drame again reacted quicker than the several Hamworthy defenders on hand to stab the ball home for his second goal. The Hammers best chance of the game soon followed. Ollie Cherrett’s free kick smashed against the post with Tom Hawkins the ex Hamworthy Keeper well beaten, but the ball rebounded to safety before anybody could follow up. Both Cherrett and Max Crow picked up injuries, and had to leave the field to be replaced by Simon Browne and Ryan Rule. United had two further chances to reduce the deficit with two clear headers, but both lacked the power to beat the Keeper. Blackfield added a third goal in the dying seconds of the game with another quick break again instigated by Man of the Match Williams. The ball once again finished up at the feet of striker Drame to score his, and his team’s third goal from close range.
FT 3-0
Team : S. Shergold, M. Crow ( R. Rule), R. Jackson, G. Horlock, S. LLewelyn(Capt), O. Cherrett (S.Browne), L. Diaper J. Barron, , M. Dancer, J. Toghill, J. Merritt. Unused Sub E. Roberts

Sydenhams Wessex Premier League (Saturday 12-12-09)
Hamworthy’s good away record continued with a well earned point away to high fliers Fareham Town. Once again Simon Browne was forced to make changes with Stuart Cannie Max Crow and Carl Mutch all unavailable for selection. He was however able to choose new signing Lee Diaper, who has joined United from Bournemouth Poppies, and played in mid-field.
The pitch was very heavy and both sets of players found it difficult to turn, with or without the ball. The match never the less was very enjoyable, even though both keepers were not called into action that much. Hamworthy’s first attack ended in them winning a corner which was taken by Jamie Barron. His cross was deflected to Joe Toghill who unfortunately was unable to get any penetration on his shot, and came to nothing. Dave Shergold at the other end had no difficulty in getting down and saving from Fareham’s first attack. A good move down the right saw a quick one two between Karl Yelland and Lee Diaper. Diaper crossed low to Larbi Mekchiche who was just off target with his shot that hit the side netting. Fareham were awarded a free kick in a dangerous position just outside the penalty box, after James Merritt had somewhat harshly been adjudged to have handled. Justice was done however when the free kick was hit straight at the wall before being cleared. The Hammers went close to taking the lead just on half time when Yelland’s twenty yard shot went just past the post. This followed a good passing move between Mark Dancer and Diaper.
HT 0-0
Fareham opened up the second half the stronger of the two teams. They should have scored when a dangerous cross into the box was not finished off by a Town attacker closing in. They did however take the lead in the sixty first minute with a somewhat controversial goal. A through ball breached the Hamwotrthy defence, and was picked up by a Fareham Player who appeared to be standing in a well offside position with only the Keeper in front of him. With no whistle forthcoming he gave Steve Shergold no chance to save, and scored to give the Home side the lead. With Fareham beginning to become more dominant Simon Browne changed things round. He brought on new three new faces Jack Swann, Ollie Cherrett, and Ryan Rule and went three at the back. This soon paid dividends when United upped their game, and equalised nine minutes from the end of play. Dancer, Yelland, and Barron all combined in a good passing movement before Barron put Jack Swann through. He kept his cool to calmly slot the ball past the Keeper and bring Hamworthy back on level terms. It was not all over yet however Fareham almost scored with the last kick of the match when they hit the bar. This resulted in a goal mouth scramble, and Steve Shergold had to make an unbelievable save from what looked a certain goal before the ball was finally cleared, and United could claim the point they so richly deserved after a good all round team performance.
Team : S. Shergold, K. Yelland, R. Jackson, G. Horlock, (S. LLewelyn(Capt), L. Diaper (O. Cherret), J. Barron, J. Merritt, M. Dancer, L. Mekchiche (J. Swann) J. Toghill (R. Rule)

Dorset Senior Cup Quarter Final (Wednesday 09-12-09)
As fully expected a very good Swanage Town & Herston Team containing several ex-Hammers made things very difficult for the Home side. Hamworthy did however keep their calm, even when the Swans had equalized mid way through the second half, and progressed to the semi-final. Manager Simon Browne made only his second start for the team, and first appearance at Home.
Swanage looked determined that they were not going to be dominated by the Wessex League side, and soon made their presence felt by some very hefty tackling. Hamworthy weathered the early onslaught, and took the lead in tenth minute with a well taken goal. Jamie Barron won the ball in midfield, and picked out Larbi Mekchiche out on the right wing. He cut inside, and drew Adam Tong off his line before firing the ball past him and into the far corner of the net. The Swans had two good opportunities to level the scoring before half time, but wasted both of them with poor finishing.
HT 1-0
Early on in the second half Max Crow had a golden opportunity to double Hamworthy’s lead, but with just the Keeper to beat he leant back on his shot and lifted the ball over the bar. Swanage continued to give the Hammers problems with their pace. Unfortunately their finishing did not match up to their approach work, and Steve Shergold was able to deal with those shots that did get through quite comfortably. He was caught out however in the sixty-fifth minute when he came charging out of goal in an attempt to clear a long through ball. Unfortunately for him he lost out in the chase for it to the very quick Liam Currell who got to the ball first, and kept his cool to find the empty net. To their credit United did not take long to reinstate their lead. The Swanage defence who up to that stage had played so well hesitated when the ball dropped into the penalty box. This allowed Central Defender Steve Llewelyn the Hamworthy Captain to get to the ball first, and score past the helpless Adam Tong. This set back appeared to effect the Swans discipline, and any chance of them getting back in the game disappeared when they had two men sent off in the last ten minutes of the game. Scorer Liam Currell received a straight red, and Aaron Corby a second yellow. Swanage probably went home feeling a bit hard done by, having had more, and better chances than United. It is goals that count however, and unfortunately for them they were only able to convert one. Whereas the Hammers had less chances, but scored twice, to win the game, and go through to the next round.
FT 2-1
Team :S.Shergold, K.Yelland, S. Browne (R. Rule),G.Horlock, S.Llewelyn(Capt)
J.Merritt, M. Crow, J. Barron, C. Mutch (M. Dancer) L. Mekchiche. R. Jacks

Sydenhams Wessex Premier League (Saturday 05-12-09)
Lapses of concentration cost the Hammers dear against a team lying second in the League, and in a game that with a little bit of luck they could so easily have got at least a point. Hamworthy United conceded two goals in a minute shortly before half time. This was after getting back on equal terms following a second minute Bemerton penalty. United could not have got away to a worse start when the Referee quite rightly pointed to the spot with less than two minutes of the game gone. Hamworthy United players were still arguing over the decision when the corner was quickly taken, and Steve Llewelyn brought down his man in the confusion. The spot kick was duly converted giving Steve Shergold no chance. The Hammers gradually worked their way back into the game, and twice in a short space of time had Bemerton defending desperately in their six yard box. Joe Toghill, and then Jack Swann both tried to force the ball over the line, but both were denied. Play was now fairly even, but the Harlequins fast forwards always looking dangerous when they broke forward. It was United however who scored next with an excellent goal after thirty three minutes of play. Jamie Barron collected the ball deep in his own half, and ran through the middle before picking out Stuart Cannie out on the wide right wing. Cannie did well to beat his man, before sending a good cross to the far post where Richard Jackson lashed the ball past the Keeper. Just as it appeared that Hamworthy were looking comfortable, and in control, two mistakes in a minute shortly before half time cost them the match. United were caught by a quick break down the left with a Bemerton attacker goal side of his defender, and completely unmarked. He sent a dangerous curling centre to the far post where it was met, and despatched with a well taken diving header past Steve Shergold. The Quins doubled their lead almost immediately when this time the Hammers were caught out through the middle. A man was again picked out unmarked, and although it must be said looked suspiciously off side, he kept his cool to score with some ease.
HT 1-3
A lot of the second half was played in torrential rain, and both teams can take a lot of credit from the football played on a pitch that was no better than that of the week before that was abandoned. United were to have no such luck this week. Bemerton started the second half the better of the two teams, but Hamworthy came more, and more into it as the half progressed. They certainly created the more chances in the second period, and with a little bit of luck might easily got back on equal terms. Joe Toghill cut inside and released a low shot to the far post which beat the Keeper, but just brushed the outside of the post before going out. Simon Browne used all his Substitutes in an attempt to get something out of the game, and one of these Larbi Mekchiche went desperately close on two occasions. First a glancing header went inches past the post and then a thirty five yard effort flew just over the bar. The Harlequin defence stood firm until the end of play to make sure they returned to Salisbury with all three points and top of the league.
FT 1-3
Team: S. Shergold, K. Yelland, R. Jackson, G. Horlock, S. Llewelyn (Capt), C. Mutch, M. Crow (R. Rule), J. Barron, J. Swann (M. Dancer), J. Toghill, S. Cannie (L. Mekchiche
Unused Subs E. Roberts, S. Browne

Sydenhams Wessex Premier League (Saturday 28-11-09)
(Match Abandoned After 60Minutes)
Lady luck has not looked on Hamworthy United very kindly this year, and so it proved again. This game against the team immediately above them in the league was abandoned after sixty minutes with the Hammers leading 2-0, and well in control. A twenty minute floodlight failure combined with torrential rain helped the Referee make up his mind to end the match early. Greg Horlock in the first half, and Stuart Cannie in the second had given United a well deserved lead. This will probably all be in vain however as the chances are that the Wessex League will order the game to be replayed.