Hamworthy started very well on a bumpy pitch on a freezing cold afternoon with Ian male going close after a good move and Ashley Hancock striking a couple of quality long range efforts but I was Lewis smith who got the decisive goal just before half time with a 25 yard bending shot that found the corner of the net giving the park rangers keeper no chance. With Jesse Arnold unavailable due to suspension Kyle Stacey took over the holding role which he did to good effect and hamworthy held their shape well until the break.

The 2nd half started the same way with hamworthy going close again. Then after 55 mins the ref awarded the young hammers a spot kick for what he thought was handball but after consultation with the park rangers linesman decided to change his mind. This changed the game and hamworthy had to fight for every ball with the opposition clumsily tackling them at every opportunity and the hammers did lose their shape for some parts but with vinny Vincent marshalling the defense and Antonio depoala sweeping in behind him they scrapped out the 1-0 victory. They should be proud of the passion and maturity they played with.

On a refreshing note the referee came and spoke to the hammers manager apologizing for his error which was good to see.

Team: r.voysey, r.Williams(r.smith),a.depaola, v.Vincent, ,m.Platt, k.Stacey, i.male, s.pederson, a.Hancock, l.smith(k.graham), s.brown(l.hunter)

Sydenhams Premier League (Wessex) Tuesday 14th December 2010

This had all the hallmarks of being a very closely contested match and so it turned out to be. With both teams lying 5th and 6th in the table before the game, and having won one match each in the previous meetings this season, things were always going to be tight. Both managers were able to name unchanged sides following good away wins on the previous Saturday. The match turned out to be a game of two halves which saw Christchurch having the upper hand in the first half, and the Hammers on top for most of the second period.

The game started off with both teams playing with pace on a chilly night at the County Ground. Christchurch had the better of the early exchanges exerting early pressure on the Hamworthy goal. Dan Ackerman did well to get his finger tips to a dipping shot and push it onto the crossbar to prevent the visitors taking an early lead. It was not all one way traffic however as the Hammers too went close following a couple of quick breaks. It was Christchuch who took the lead when Mike Antrobus under pressure could get no distance on his attempted header away. The ball fell to Dan Crutchley who rifled the ball past Dan Ackerman giving him no chance to save. The lead only lasted five minutes when following a good move out of defence United were again level. Ex-Christchurch player Dave Ewen collected the ball on the halfway line and ran with pace through the middle before picking out Luke Burbidge. The young Hamworthy striker cleverly turned his man and laid the ball out wide to George Webb who was running in. He then found the far corner of the net with a superbly taken low shot past Stewart Kearn. After fighting hard to get the lead the Hammers then surrendered it with another calamitous defensive error. Dan Ackerman finding himself outside his area attempted to head the ball away but only found Ben Osborne. The United Keeper who was a bit slow in getting back then diverted the ball past Michael White who had gone back on his line to cover the shot. Luckily for the Hammers the lead again was short lived when George Webb restored parity with another well taken goal three minutes before the break.

HT 2-2

It was United’s turn to dominate the opening few minutes of the second half and very nearly took the lead shortly after the restart. A wicked deflection completely wrong footed Stewart Kearn the Christchurch Keeper, but to his and his team’s relief the ball was deflected inches past the post. Hamworthy were now playing some good passing football finding their men much better than they did in the first half, and went close on several occasions. They were sometimes however guilty of over elaborating, and were then closed down before they could get a telling shot away. Simon Browne decided to bring on a third striker Liam Currell in place of mid-fielder Ryan Murray in an attempt to go for the win. This nearly paid off when the new man still recovering from a long term injury was given the time and space to shoot with just the Keeper to beat. Unfortunately still not match fit, he miss-kicked and the chance went begging. United pressed up even more as the game drew to a close, but this left them a bit exposed to the quick break. Christchurch twice in the last ten minutes took full advantage of the situation to break out quickly, and almost get the winner. Dan Ackerman made amends for his earlier mistake by pulling off a top class save from one of these attacks. Despite all of their efforts neither side could get the deciding goal. The match finished all square at the final whistle after a very entertaining game. The point gained enabled Hamworthy to go into 4th position in the League.

FT 2-2

Team: D. Ackerman, M. Antrobus, R. Jackson, M. White, G. Horlock, R. Murray (L Currell), G. Webb. M. Crow, L. Burbidge, D. Ewen, S. Cannie. Subs: J. Slatterley, D. Spencer, W. Robinson,S. Lillington

Sydenhams Premier League (Wessex) Saturday11th December 2010
Hamworthy needed to win this game to keep the pressure on their near neighbours Poppies and Christchurch and rivals for a top six finish. The Hammers were without Dan Haysom who was away on Wimborne duties, but they welcomed new signing George Webb into the side for his first game since transferring from Poppies.

United started very brightly and could have gone ahead as early as the first minute. Luke Burbidge was put through one on one with the Romsey Keeper Luke Baker. Unfortunately he delayed his shot, and the chance had gone. Richard Jackson went close soon afterwards when he picked up a headed clearance, but his shot too went wide of the post. Luke Burbidge and George Webb combined well to create another opportunity, but once again the resulting shot was off target. The Hammers were enjoying the major share of the possession and Romsey were restricted to having the odd shot, but these did not cause United Keeper Dan Ackerman any problems. One of Hamworthy’s best chances fell to Stuart Cannie who was positioned in the centre of the goal mouth. He unfortunately was unable to get the touch that was needed to score following excellent work by Dave Ewen and Luke Burbidge in the build up. It looked as if Greg Horlock must score when he met a George Webb corner with his head, but a combined effort by the Keeper and a defender prevented what looked to be a certain goal. When the half time whistle blew the Hammers had nothing to show for all their efforts despite having dominated the game up to that point.

HT0-0

Hamworthy started the second period very strongly. A free kick from George Webb found Luke Burbidge who cleverly turned his man before laying off the ball to Greg Horlock. His first time shot was brilliantly saved by keeper Baker who turned the shot around the post. The Hammers were at last rewarded for their hard work with three goals in four minutes. The first in the sixty fifth minute saw a Max Crow free kick found Stuart Cannie. His cross hit the far post, but Dave Ewen was the first to react when he stroked the ball into the net for the first goal. United won the ball straight from the kick off and a pass picked out Luke Burbidge who laid the ball off to Dave Ewing. His low cross into the box was met and finished superbly by George Webb backing up the forwards from mid field, The hard working Burbidge this time combined well with Max Crow to provide Hamworthy’s third goal in the sixty ninth minute. Dave Ewen was again the scorer with a fine shot into the far corner for his second goal of the game and his seventh in four league games since joining from Christchurch. Romsey did come back into the match but without causing the Hammers defence too many problems that is until five minutes from the end. A poor clearance was picked up by Romsey, and this resulted in a low right wing cross into the United box which unfortunately was helped into the net by Michael White to make the final score a little more presentable for the home side.

FT 3-1

Team: D. Ackerman, M. Antrobus, R. Jackson, M. White, G. Horlock, R. Murray, G. Webb. M. Crow, L. Burbidge, D. Ewen, S. Cannie. Subs: L. Currell, J. Slatterley, D. Spencer

Dorset Senior Cup Quarter Final (Tuesday 30-11-10)

Hamworthy United could have had few complaints about losing to a team that thoroughly deserved their win on the night. They must have been more than a little disappointed however by the score line in a game that they had held their own for long periods. The big difference between the sides however was the Weymouth striker on loan from Salisbury Matt Wright who scored a hat-rick.

Once again United started very slowly and found themselves two goals down in the first ten minutes both coming from corners. The first was scrambled over the line by Matt Wright. The second goal scored by ex-Hammer Warren Byerley was more than a little controversial. First of all the ball appeared to be handled on its way across the box by a Weymouth player. Secondly Warren was stood on the goal line behind Dan Ackerman when he received the ball. He therefore appeared to be in an off side position, before he tapped the ball home. Hamworthy gradually got into the game, and Tom Manley was at full stretch in the twentieth minute, diving to prevent the Hammers reducing the lead. United were again made to pay the penalty for some poor defending when Wright scored his second. He this time latched on to a poor clearance to lob the ball over the advancing Ackerman. The Hamworthy Keeper got his hand to the ball but could only help it into the net. It was far from one way traffic and the Hammers sill made a couple of half chances of their own before the break which were well saved by the experienced Manley.

HT 0-3

United started the second half a lot stronger than they had the first and almost scored straight away. Keeper Manley stopped a fierce shot with his face before the ball whizzed over the crossbar to deny the Hammers a way back into the game. In fact it was the Zamaretto Premier side that were to score again in the 65th minute when a low cross was met at the far post by Matt Wright He scored with a diving header, his third of the night. To their credit Hamorthy continued to play some decent football, and held their own for long periods of the game, but unfortunately found the opposition that little bit too good for them on the night. All that can be hoped is that the young improving Hammers learnt from the experience of playing against a team from a higher level

FT 0-4

Team: D. Ackerman, M. Antrobus ( D. Spencer), R. Jackson, G. Horlock, M. White (J. Swann), W. Robinson, R. Murray, M. Crow, D. Ewen, L. Burbidge, S. Cannie (D. Haysom).

Dorset Youth League Division 2 (Sunday 27-11-10)

Hamworthy started very well on a bumpy pitch on a freezing cold afternoon. Ian male went close after a good move, and Ashley Hancock struck a couple of quality long range efforts. It was Lewis Smith who got the decisive goal however just before half time. He hit a twenty five yard bending shot that found the corner of the net that gave the Park Ranger’s keeper no chance. With Jesse Arnold unavailable due to suspension Kyle Stacey took over the holding role. He did this to good effect and helped Hamworthy to hold their shape well until the break.

HT 0-1

The second half started the same as the first with the Hammers going close again. A controversial decision came after fifty five minutes when the Referee awarded the young United team a spot kick for what he obviously thought was handball. However after a consultation with the Park Ranger’s linesman he decided to change his mind. This changed the game and Hamworthy had to fight for every ball. The opposition now tackled them at every opportunity, often clumsily. This led to the Hammers losing their shape and their grip on the game at times. However with the help of Vinny Vincent marshalling the defence, and Antonio De Poala sweeping in behind him, they scrapped out the victory they deserved.

FT 0-1

United Manager Jay Keating said after the match that his team should be proud of the passion and maturity that they played the game with. On a refreshing note he said the Referee came and spoke to him and apologised for his error, which was very good to hear.

Team: R.Voysey, R.Williams (R.Smith),A. De Paola, V.Vincent, M.Platt, K.Stacey, I.Male, S.Pederson, A.Hancock, L.Smith (K.Graham), S.Brown (L.Hunter)