HAMWORTHY UNITED 3 FAWLEY F.C. 2
Sydenhams Premier League (Wessex) Saturday November 20-11-10
As Simon Browne said in his pre-match programme notes the Hammers needed to win this game after a couple of indifferent performances. Max Crow, Martin Lawrence, Liam Currell and Perry Mullins were all unavailable for selection, and Aaron Corby who was joining the Navy the following day started on the bench.
Hamworthy had the slight edge in the opening few minutes of the game played in front of a decent size crowd. This was bolstered by the fact that the Poole match had been called off, and there was no game at Wimborne. Hamworthy should have taken the lead when Luke Burbidge hit the crossbar from inside the six yard box when it looked as if he must score. Fawley looked a far better side than the one that the Hammers beat at their ground earlier in the season. They looked a good coming forward, but they were well contained by the Hamworthy defence, who kept any danger to a minimum. United took the lead in the thirty fourth minute with a long range effort from Will Robinson. His shot from distance never rose a foot above the ground, and deceived Craig Wilson. The Fawley keeper appeared to dive too early and went the wrong way, but to be fair to him he could have been unsighted, or the ball may have taken a deflection. Hamworthy could have gone further ahead from their very next attack, but this time Wilson dived to divert the ball round the post for a corner. Just as it looked as if the Hammers would go in with a half time lead Fawley equalised with a cracker of a goal. The ball was picked up some thirty five yards out and smashed past Dan Ackerman who barely had chance to move, let alone save it.
HT 1-1
Once again at the start of the second period there was not a great deal between the teams, but the Hammers had the slight edge on play, and began to get there passing game going. Craig Wilson made another good save to keep his side level. A corner was met by Dan Haysom who directed his header down in text book fashion, only to see Wilson dive low to his left and palm the ball away. Aaron Corby was brought on to replace Dan Spencer and his strong running going forward gave the Hammers an immediate lift. A series of corners followed his introduction, and from one of these United were awarded a penalty for a push. Aaron Corby stepped up and slotted home the spot kick in the sixty ninth minute to score his last goal for the Hammers before joining the Navy. Hamworthy should have gone on and won the game quite comfortably from that point, but not for the first time this season, and much to the annoyance of the management team, they were guilty of switching off at a vital time. Fawley were awarded a somewhat controversial free kick on the edge of the penalty box. The ball was in the back of the net whilst some Hamworthy players were still disputing the kick, and before a wall was properly formed. United did get the ball in the net again only for it to be ruled out for off-side. They were not to be denied however, and new signing Dave Ewen who was making his Home debut did well to keep his head and score his second goal in two games for United, with just five minutes remaining. This gave the Hammers the win their play deserved over the ninety minutes, and keeps them in the race for a top six finish.
FT 3-2
Team: D. Ackerman, D.Spencer (A. Corby), R. Jackson,G. Horlock, M. White, D. Haysom, R. Murray, W. Robinson, D. Ewen, L. Burbidge (J. Swann), S. Cannie
Unused Subs: M. Antrobus, E. Roberts