HAMWORTHY UNITED 2 SHERBORNE TOWN 2
EON FA CUP PRELIMINARY ROUND (SATURDAY 28-08-10)
The Hammers were without the services of their experienced Central Defender Michael White who was at a wedding. Playing against ten men for most of the match Hamworthy did themselves no favours by putting in an inept display for most of the ninety minutes. In the end they had to thank a moment of madness by a Sherborne defender to get them out of trouble with just a minute of play remaining on the watch.
Hamworthy just edged the opening fifteen minutes of the game. They were playing the better passing game keeping the ball on the deck. Sherborne were taking more of a route one approach. It was the Town however who took the lead with a long ball out of defence which was misjudged by Mike Antrobus. He could not prevent the ball going to a Sherborne player out on the left. His cross into the six yard box was met by Marc Caines unmarked at the far post. He picked his spot finding the corner of the net with a simple tap in that gave Dan Ackerman no chance. Stuart Cannie almost equalised straight away, but his freekick just missed the far post. The Town were not in front for long however before the Hammers got the equaliser which had an element of luck with it. Max Crow attempted cross from the right was deflected back to him. This gave him a second chance to get the ball in, but this time it ended up in the back of the net, helped again by another Sherborne defection. Sherborne were reduced to ten men with just under a half hour gone. Aden Willis ran over to push Stuart Cannie to the ground right under the nose of the Referee. This was after Sherborne had been awarded the free kick for Cannie’s foul on another Town player. The sending off however lifted the ten men of Sherborne, and it was Hamworthy who were now struggling to lift their game
HT 1-1
Hamworthy had to change their Keeper after the break, Dan Ackerman having picked up a groin strain in the first half. His replacement Sean Lillington had little to do before having to pick the ball out if the net following another somewhat fortuitous goal. Marc Caines speculative centre come cross found the wind and the far top corner of the net to give Sherborne the lead. The Hammers could not make their extra man count and never really troubled Marc Locke except on one occasion. The Sherborne keeper did well to get his body in the way of a close range shot that looked a certain goal. Dan Spencer and Jack Satterley were introduced in the last fifteen minutes, the former looking very lively with his extra pace. Hamworthy looked dead and buried when in the last minute of time added on they were awarded a free kick on the edge of the box. The shot never looked to be a dangerous one, but for no apparent reason a Town player put his hand up and made contact with the ball, This gave the Referee no option but to award United a penalty. Max Crow stepped up to score, and give the Hammers a lifeline their performance over ninety minutes never deserved, and a chance to do better in the return next Wednesday.
FT 2-2
Team: Dan Ackerman (S. Lillington), M. Antrobus, R. Jackson, G. Horlock, S Lewellyn (Capt), M. Lawrence ( J. Satterley), M. Crow, A Corby (D. Spencer), L. Burbidge, L. Currell, S Cannie
Unused Sub James Merritt