HAMWORTHY UNITED RES. 2 STURMISTER MARSHALL 1
Magna Dorset Premier League (Saturday 15-01-11)
This was Hamworthy United Reserve’s first game for eight weeks, their last game being on November 27th 2010. Since that game Mike Rees has been appointed the new Manager and several new players have been signed. Mike could not have wished for a better start against a team placed eight places above them in the league, and that had also beaten them 5-2 at Sturminster Marshal two games ago. The Hammer’s team consisted mainly of very young players with two or three more experienced men making up the numbers. They worked very hard to get back into the game after an early set back to run out worthy winners at the final whistle.
Perhaps not surprisingly following their long lay off Hamworthy were very much on the back foot for the opening ten minutes of the game. They looked very disorganised at the back and were soon under considerable pressure from the Visitors. Only eight minutes had gone by when Sturmister Marshall were awarded a corner from which they scored. The ball into the box was not cleared far enough, and only found Ciaran Miller on the edge of the box. He gave Keeper Ed Roberts no chance driving the ball past him into the net to open the scoring. Very much to United’s credit they did not let heads go down, but gradually raised their game. In fact by half time they were very much back in the game, the only thing lacking was a telling shot on goal
HT 0-1
The Reserves now kicking towards the favoured Irvin Brown Stand end were having much the better of things in the second period. It was Sturminster Marshall’s defence who were now coming much more under pressure from the now lively United attack. In the sixty-third minute that pressure was rewarded with the equalising goal. Jack Foster was picked out near the penalty spot and did well to control the ball before thumping it past Doug Shear the Stur Keeper. The Visitors did raise their game for a short period, but were unable to get back on top. Most of their attacks were now being dealt with by a revitalised United defence, and shots on goal were far and few between. With just under ten minutes of normal time remaining Ryan Ball’s accurate cross found Liam Claire on the far corner of the six yard box. He turned and beat his marker before shooting low into the net. Sturminster Marshall did try hard for the equaliser in the remaining minutes, but Hamworthy held on to record a well deserved win.
FT 2-1
Team: E. Roberts, L. Claire, S. Moore, L. Phillips, L. Corbin, V. Vincent, R. Camacho (Ryan Ball), S. Parker (D. Gould), J. Foster, D. Orchard, M. Lawrence (A. Hancock)