Sydenhams Premier League (Wessex) Saturday 19-02-11

The Hammers returned to winning ways against Lymington, but this was not as easy as the score suggests. Despite having a three goal lead at the interval, United were made to battle all the way in the second half by a team that had scored fourteen goals in three of their last four games. New signings from Weymouth Bradley Magookin and Matt Oldring both started the game.

It did not take long for the game to burst into life with the Hammers taking the lead after only three minutes. A quick ball out of defence found Luke Burbidge on the halfway line. He turned and beat his man for pace before slipping the ball through to the supporting George Webb, who carefully picked his spot to score. Any celebration was short live because Lymington drew level within a minute from an unmarked far post header. This after Hamworthy failed to stop the cross despite looking to have it covered. With both defences looking fragile United again took the lead with still only seven minutes of the game gone. Hamworthy once again got the better of the square Town defence breaking quickly down the left, and scored with a well taken Dave Ewen goal at the far post. Lymington were having problems with the pace of strikers Ewen and Burbidge, and with Jackson and Webb breaking from mid-field. It was not all one way however and Lymington had a goal line header ruled out for off side. The Town keeper did well to save another George Webb effort from close range before the Hammers increased their lead. Richard Jackson weaved his way into the penalty area, and was pulled back as he was about to shoot. Luke Burbidge stepped up to find the corner of the net from the spot, after the offender was shown only a yellow by the Referee. United were not finished, and scored a fourth goal shortly before the break. The move was started by Keeper Sean Lillington, and involved both the new players. His quick throw out was collected Matt Oldring on the right. He in turn found Luke Burbidge who crossed the ball into the six yard box for Brad Magookin to score.

HT 1-4

Following a first half ankle injury Dave Ewen who had done so well in holding the ball up was replaced by Jack Slatterly. Lymington determined to try and redress the first half situation went immediately on the offensive. At times during the second period Hamworthy were at full stretch to contain the Home side, and on occasions had to rely on a little bit of luck. Lymington did get a goal back from a free-kick from just outside the penalty area. The kick when it was taken did not look too dangerous, but Keeper and Defender both left it to one another to deal with. This resulted in the ball passing everybody and going in just inside the post for a sloppy goal. The Town now through more players forward looking for another goal, but in doing so left themselves susceptible to a quick break. This was exactly what happened with sixteen minutes to go. Man of the match George Webb finished off the move with another coolly taken finish, and put the game beyond Lymington. To add to Town’s woes they had the player guilty of giving away the penalty Simon Young was sent off for a second card shortly before the end of play.

Team: S. Lillington, M. Oldring, R. Jackson. G. Horlock, M. White, G. Webb (M. Lawrence) M. Crow, D. Ewen (J. Slatterly), L. Burbidge, B. Magookin (W. Robinson)

Unused Sub: D. Ackerman

Sydenhams Premier League (Wessex) Saturday 12th February 2011-02-13

Alton proved that they are one of the most underrated sides in the league, and a much better team than their position in the table suggests. You could see why they had beaten Winchester and Newport in recent weeks. It also has to be said that this was a below par display by the Hammers which was especially disappointing following their last Home win performance over Poole Town. Dan Spencer started the game replacing Ryan Murray who has returned to Bashley, and Hamworthy welcomed back Captain Max Crow to the bench following his long lay off due to injury.

On a day when playing conditions were ideal, play was fairly even in the opening stages with perhaps Sean Lillington slightly the busier of the two keepers. Most shots were restricted to those from some distance which caused neither keeper too many problems, that is until the thirtieth minute. Following a brief period of defending Hamworthy failed to clear the ball far enough outside the penalty area. The clearance was picked up by mid fielder Carl Saunders who lashed a first time shot past Sean Lillington from fully twenty five yards. The shot was hit with such power that it was in the back of the net before the United Keeper could move. Hamworthy did raise their game following this set back and almost got back into it straight away. Greg Horlock failed to finish off from close range following a spot of head tennis in the Alton goal mouth. They did get back into the game however with a very well worked goal three minutes before the break. George Webb made a strong run out of defence and found Luke Burbidge with a good pass; he in turn put Dave Ewen in on goal with another superb ball. The United striker kept his cool and picked his spot to bring the scores level.

HT1-1

United were now playing towards their favoured Irvin Brown Stand end, which has resulted in many a second half revival for the Hammers this season, but not in this game. Apart from some good runs and crosses from Dan Spencer out wide right Hamworthy failed to raise their game. Their usual penetration was not there and they failed to create many chances. They did not look as if they would concede a goal either until the Referee awarded a penalty against Greg Horlock for allegedly pushing his man. Carl Saunders stepped up to put the spot kick away. This appeared to be a little harsh especially as there was another identical challenge in the opposite box minutes later This time the official waved away the loud appeals, and waved play on. Simon Browne tried to change things by bringing on fresh faces, but Hamworthy were playing well below par. Alton were in no mood to give away their lead a second time defending well and always looked dangerous on the break. It was from one of these that they hit United again. The move was finished off by Carl Saunders who scored his, and Alton Town’s third goal to complete the scoring. There was no way back for the Hammers who could have few complaints about the result.

FT1-3

Team: S. Lillington, D. Spencer, R. Jackson, G. Horlock, M. White, D. Haysom, G. Webb,Will Robinson (M. Lawrence), D. Ewen (J. Foster), L. Burbidge, S. Cannie (M. Crow).

Sydenhams Premier League (Wessex) Saturday 5th Febuary 2011

Games between Newport and the Hammers have always been rather tight, but unfortunately for United the Islanders had won all the five previous matches. It looked as if they had done it again until a last minute penalty gave Hamworthy a share of the points that they at least deserved on their second half performance. Both teams were fresh from winning mid-week local derbies against Brading and Poole Town. Hamworthy named an unchanged side whilst Newport brought back one player after suspension.

United started the game kicking into a strong swirling wind on a stodgy playing surface that was not very helpful to their style of play. The Hammers like to get the ball down and pass the ball on the deck, but these conditions in the first half did not lend itself to this. Early exchanges were fairly even, but it was the Port who took the lead after 12 minutes. Ian Seabrook was found free on the edge of the penalty area, and decided to shoot. His powerful shot hit the inside of the post before going in past the outstretched fingers of the diving Sean Lillington, who appeared to slip as he took off. Soon after the United Keeper found another free kick too hot to hold on to before the ball was scrambled away. Newport continued to have slightly the better of the exchanges before the break, but most of their attempts on goal were from distance, and off target. Hamworthy’s best effort came from Stewart Cannie whose dipping free kick was pushed over by the Newport Keeper Gary Streeter. The Keeper was at fault however when he failed to deal with George Webb’s high cross into the box, and that led to the United equaliser a minute before the break. He failed to clear the ball, and it dropped to Stuart Cannie who could not miss with his header from a foot out.

HT 1-1

Hamworthy with the conditions now in their favour started the second half on top. They were now able to get the ball down and pass and move, which at times had the Port defence at full stretch to contain them. A dipping George Webb shot had beaten Streeter, but the ball was headed off the line by a defender. Newport appealed for a penalty when Sean Lillington had to react quickly to push the ball away, before the oncoming Charlie Smeeton could reach it. This resulted in a collision between the two players, but the lady Referee and her Assistant had no doubts that a penalty was not warranted. Newport again took the lead in the 61st minute from a corner which this time was converted by Smeeton. It was now Sean Lillington who appealed to the Referee claiming that he had been held, and prevented from reaching the ball. His claim was also rejected by the officials. The Hammers attack continued to trouble the Islanders whenever they ran at them. This resulted in a couple of near misses in the Newport six yard box. First of all a George Webb shot beat the Keeper before it was acrobatically cleared, with four or five Hamworthy players all appealing that the ball had already gone over the line. A corner followed which was headed down onto the foot of the post before being cleared. The Hammers pushed everybody up for the final few minutes of the game, and were rewarded with a penalty in the last minute. Greg Horlock burst into the six yard box and was about to shoot when he was brought down. This time there were no protests, and Luke Burbidge did well to keep his cool, and convert with the last kick of the game.

Team : S. Lillington, R. Murray (D. Spencer), R. Jackson, G. Horlock, M. White, D. Haysom, G. Webb, W. Robinson, D. Ewen, L. Burbidge. S. Cannie.

Sydenhams Premier League (Wessex) Tuesday 1st Febuary 2011

This has to have been Hamworthy United’s best display since Simon Browne took over the management reins at the County Ground. This was a real Team effort from start to finish in which every individual team member played his part. They not only won the game, but won it by some distance, and thoroughly deserved the victory. The four goals were scored by four different players, and there could easily have been a fifth had George Webb’s effort been on target when he was put right through shortly before the end of the game. It did look for a while that the weather was going to be the only winner when the fog swept in. The Referee stopped the game for several minutes with United having an early 1-0 lead, but luckily for them allowed play to continue when it started to clear again.

Hamworthy for a welcome change were quickly out of their blocks, and were soon causing Poole problems with their pace, especially out in the wide positions. They also were very quick to close the Dolphins down before they could do any damage. United did not take long to take the lead, in fact there was just nine minutes on the clock when Richard Jackson opened the scoring. Soon after the fog that had been threatening from the start really rolled in, and the Referee was forced to call a halt to the game for several minutes. Luckily the fog cleared enough for play to continue, and the Hammers continued to cause the Poole defence problems every time they ran at them. Dan Haysom headed home a second United goal with the normally solid Town defence without Michael Walker now looking very vulnerable. Poole were very much using the long ball tactics that they used to accuse Hamworthy of using, but the United back line, and goalkeeper Sean Lillington stood firm. With just over a half hour gone the Hammers increased their lead even further with a Stuart Cannie goal, once again taking advantage of some poor Poole Town marking. The Dolphins did get back into the game shortly before the break following a rare attack on the ground through Steve Smith. Most of the danger to United until then had come from set pieces mainly directed at Lamin Dibba’s head, but the tall defender was closely marked all night, and kept very quiet.

HT 3-1

As to be expected the Dolphins came out looking for another goal, but the young Hammers stuck to their task, and restricted Poole to mostly long shots that went well wide.

The next goal was always going to be very important, and it fell to United, thirteen minutes into the second half. With Hamworthy’s pace Poole were always susceptible to being hit on the break, as they pushed up for a second goal. This is exactly what happened and Dave Ewing did very well to keep his cool and convert Hammer’s fourth goal. Poole did try to get back in the game, but despite changes never really changed their long ball tactics. A well drilled United side continued to play to orders restricting the Dolphins goal scoring opportunities to long range. Hamworthy almost hit Poole again on the break. But this time the normally reliable George Webb shot wide. The only downside to the match was that somehow Hamworthy picked up six yellow cards, in a match that did not contain one dirty foul. Poole on the other hand who had disputed every decision in the first half received none.

FT 4-1

Team: S. Lillington, R. Murray, R. Jackson. G. Horlock, M. White, D. Haysom, G. Webb, W. Robinson, L. Burbidge, D. Ewen, S. Cannie (D. Spencer). Unused Sunbs: J. Satterley. M. Lawrence, J. Foster, D. Ackerman.

Sydenhams Premier League (Wessex) Saturday 29-01-11

On reflection the Hammers will look back on this game as another two points dropped despite play being fairly evenly distributed between the two teams over the full ninety minutes. Moneyfields were restricted to just one direct shot on goal in the whole game, but unfortunately scored from it. This followed a lapse of concentration in the United defence, who up until that point had played so well to contain the Visitors. However it has to be said that this was a much better display than that on Tuesday against Laverstock & Ford. Simon Browne was without the injured Mike Antrobus who broke his jaw in two places in that game. Stuart Cannie came into the starting line up, and Sean Lillington continued in goal after taking over from Dan Ackerman on Tuesday.

Hamworthy got away to there usual slow start, and Moneyfields were on top for the first ten minutes. As the Hammers played their way into the game, their first chance came with a Stuart Cannie free kick which was sent inches wide of the post. This was followed soon after by a George Webb free kick on the left hand edge of the penalty area. The ball was heading for the top far corner until Keeper Dave Hook pushed the ball over. Goal attempts were very few and far between however as both defences closed down their opposing forwards before they could get a shot away. Greg Horlock appeared to be pushed in a goalmouth scramble, but the loud penalty appeals from all the United players involved were turned down by the Referee. After forty five minutes there was nothing to choose between the two teams as the half time score confirmed.

HT 0-0

The Hammers started the second period much the brighter of the two teams, kicking towards their favoured Irvin Brown Stand end. They soon had the Moneyfield defence under pressure which led to a few corners and free kicks being awarded in their favour. They were unable to covert any of these that is until the fifty-seventh minute when they were awarded a free kick out on the far left. Only Dan Haysom will know if his kick was meant for a cross or a shot, but the ball found the far corner of the net, with Dave Hook rooted to the spot. It was now the Portsmouth based team’s turn to get on top for a few minutes as they went searching for the equaliser, but the United Defence stood firm. Just as it looked as if Hamworthy had overcome the danger a moments lack of concentration cost them dear. Following a quick break down the right a cross was put into the box. This was not dealt with and the ball was allowed to reach the substitute striker in acres of free space on the edge of the six yard box. He picked his spot to score giving Sean Lillington no chance to save. Hamworthy had several good chances to have got back in front before the final whistle, but all went wide or saved by the Keeper. When the final whistle blew it was the Hammers who were the more disappointed of the two teams, but at least they could console themselves that this was a much better performance than their last one.

FT 1-1

Team: S. Lillington, R. Murray, R. Jackson, G. Horlock, M. White, D. Haysom, G. Webb, W.Robinson (M. Lawrence), D. Ewen (J. Satterly), L. Burbidge, S. Cannie (D. Spencer)