Sydenhams Premier League (Wessex) Saturday 26-03-11

Hamworthy again won on the road, this time against mid-table Blackfield & Langley. The winning margin should have been bigger but for some excellent goalkeeping by the Home keeper, and a little bit of bad luck on the Hammers part.

United welcomed back Ryan Murray to the line up following his spell at Bashley. Perry Mullins also returned to the bench, and Sam Lanahan made his first start since rejoining from Verwood.

Blackfield & Langley started the game by putting the Hammers under a bit of pressure with their long ball tactics. It was not until the thirteenth minute that United had their first shot on goal. A long clearance by Michael White found Dave Ewen who in turn picked out Max Crow. The Hamworthy Captain put George Webb through on goal only for the Blackfield Keeper to make the first of his many saves of the afternoon. The Hammers were unlucky not to have taken the lead soon after. Max Crow passed to Ryan Murray who went past two players before hitting the far upright with his shot. The ball rolled along the goal line from the rebound to be collected by a relieved Blackfield & Langley keeper. United Keeper Sean Lillington had to make a good save low down to turn the ball away for a corner. With the half time whistle only four minutes away Hamworthy got the goal they deserved, and which proved to be vital. Sam Lanahan who was making his first full start for the Hammers slipped a delightful through ball for George Webb to run on to. The Keeper ran out to narrow the angle, but the Hamwothy man kept his head to slide the ball passed him to score.

HT 0-1

Hamworthy continued to have the better of things after the break. It was twenty minutes into the second half however before they had a shot on goal, and this was from long range by Richard Jackson. Simon Browne then made three changes in five minutes bringing on Luke Burbidge for Dave Ewen, and Will Robinson for Sam Lanahan. Ryan Murray had to be replaced by Perry Mullens after being stretchered off. A cross from Brad Magookin was met by a good header from Richard Jackson, but another fine save prevented another United goal. George Webb curled a shot against the post, but no Hamworthy player was on hand to convert the rebound. George Webb was again picked out by another Max Crow through ball, but the keeper was at his best once again to save. He was quite rightly named the Blackfield & Langley Man of the Match after the game.

FT 0-1

Team: S. Lillington, R. Murray (P.Mullins), R. Jackson, G.Horlock, M. White, D. Haysom, M. Crow, S. Lanahan ( W. Robinson), D. Ewen (L. Burbidge) G. Webb, B. Magookin.

Sydenhams Premier League (Wessex) Saturday 19-03-11

Hamworthy who have not won at home since beating Poole Town on February 1st, lost again at the County Ground. It could be argued however that two out of the three losses since then have been against top three teams. This was a game of two very different halves for the Hammers. In the first half they found themselves on the back foot for a lot of the time. This after going down to an early goal, and they were perhaps a little lucky to go in at only one down at the break. In the second half it was the Hammers who were on top, and perhaps they were a little unlucky not to have got a point out of the game. Michael White was restored to the starting line up with Dan Haysom taking his place on the bench.

Bemerton started the game at a cracking pace, and pressed the Hammers defence back right from the start. It took the Salisbury team just three minutes to open the scoring. This resulted from some slack United marking. Harlequins top scorer Jack Slade was allowed a free run into the penalty box. He beat Sean Lillington with a looping header that went in just under the crossbar. Max Crow had a chance to equalize soon after, but directed his header just wide of the post. It looked as if the Visitors must score again until Sean Lillington flung himself across to palm away what looked a certain goal. All though the Hammers had their chances too, it was Bemerton who always looked the more dangerous of the two teams after forty five minutes.

HT 0-1

Hamworthy looked a much better team after the interval, and at last got their short passing game going. They were now looking a much more skillful and more dangerous side, and now had Bemerton at full stretch to contain them at times. Dave Ewen, Luke Burbidge and George Webb all went close, but they were kept at bay by some good defending and a little bit of luck by the Harlequins defence. Greg Horlock was perhaps a little lucky to not see red when he brought down Jack Slade following a break away. This was after being shown a yellow card for a similar offence earlier in the game. The decision by the Referee incensed the Bemerton dug-out who were also lucky to get away without seeing a card following their loud and over the top reaction. Try as they might the Hammers were unable to get the point their second half fight back probably deserved. At the final whistle they found themselves once again at the wrong end of a closely fought entertaining game.

FT 0-1

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

Unused Subs: S. Lanahan, R. Voysey

Sydenhams Premier League (Wessex) Saturday 12-03-11

The Peter Henry Ground at Brading has proved to be a lucky location for Hamworthy United over the years. They have never ever lost to the Islanders on their own pitch, and today was going to be no exception as they eased their way to a comfortable three points. They were helped by the fact that their close rivals were short of one or two of their better players, and that they had lost their previous two games. Brad Magookin started the game with Dan Spencer taking his place on the bench with Michael White and new signing from Verwood Sam Lanahan. Youth Team Keeper Rob Voycey also gained valuable experience as a sub.

The Hammers started the game kicking down the considerable slope. This and the sticky playing surface did not lend itself to the Hammers normal passing game. The ball often bobbled at the wrong time, or was over hit when being played forward. United however had slightly the better of the early exchanges, and looked the more confident of the two sides. It was the Home side however who should have taken the lead when a Brading man was put through one on one with Sean Lillington. The young Hammers Keeper did well, and smothered the ball before the shot was got away. The Hammers looked in control for most of the half, and they got their just rewards five minutes before the break. An excellent through ball from Max Crow put Dave Ewin through on goal. The United striker kept his cool to slide the ball passed the advancing Town keeper Gareth True, and into the corner of the net.

HT 0-1

Passing became a little easier kicking up the slope in the second half, as the ball held up. The Hammers continued to have the upper hand and looked the more comfortable of the two sides. |A bit of slack marking following a quick Brading break however, almost lead to an undeserved equalizer. Alek Przespolewski the Town Captain pushed forward unnoticed into the penalty box, and sent a curling header onto the top of the crossbar before going over. Hammers did make their superiority count when they doubled their lead with twenty minutes remaining. Dave Ewen was again the scorer, this time out jumping his man at the far post to head home a George Webb cross. The same player almost got his hat-trick minutes later, but this time the ball went inches past the foot of the post with the Town keeper beaten. Now with a two goal cushion, Hamworthy were able to see out the rest of the game untroubled, and record their second win of the week.

Team: S. Lillington, M.Oldring , G. Horlock, R. Jackson, D. Haysom, G.Webb, W. Robinson,M. Crow, L. Burbidge ( S. Lanahan), D. Ewen, B. Magookin (D. Spencer)

Unused Subs: M. White, M. Voysey

Sydenhams Premier League (Wessex) Tuesday 08-03-11

After losing their last two matches, this was a must win game for the Hammers. It would not be an easy fixture for them as United’s record against teams from the lower part of the league is not good. Dan Ackerman took over the goal-keeping gloves from Sean Lillington. Will Robinson and Dan Spencer both began the game, with Brad Magookin and Michael White both taking a turn on the bench as substitutes.

As it had been expected, Brockenhurst proved to be a tough nut to crack in the first half. Play was fairly evenly divided between the two teams, but it was the New Forest team that took the lead. A lead that they still held when the Referee blew his whistle for the half time interval

HT 0-0

The second half proved to be a different story with the Hammers taking over, and controlling the rest of the game. The Badgers kept their lead until the sixty second minute when Luke Burbidge equalized for Hamworthy. Two further goals in the next four minutes by Max Crow and George Webb took the game away from the Home side, leaving United firmly in the driving seat. The Hammers lead was increased further when Dave Ewen grabbed another goal after seventy five minutes. Hamworthy should have scored more goals before the end of play, but it was Brockenhurst who grabbed a late consolation goal with time running out.

This win means that at least the Hammers will not now be travelling to Brading their near rivals in the league, and their next game, on a string of poor results.

FT 2-4

Team: D.Ackerman, M.Oldring , G. Horlock, R. Jackson, D. Haysom, G.Webb, W. Robinson,M. Crow, D. Spencer (B. Magookin), D. Ewen ,L. Burbidge,

Unused Sub: S. Lillington (G/Keeper), M. White

Sydenhams Premier League (Wessex) Saturday 26-02-11

Actual Match Report taken from the Alresford Town Website

After a good away win at Lymington the previous Saturday you could have been forgiven if you thought that the Hammers should have brought back maximum points from Alresford. The North Hampshire side had not won in their nine previous games, and were slipping down the table, The Town however have always proved to be a bit of a bogey side for the Hammers as the 0-0 draw at the County ground proved in January. On that occasion United dominated the game but could not score.

The first 30 mins of the game were played generally between the two penalty areas with neither side being able to penetrate into the opposition area. Donaldson had a strike over the bar on 30 mins for Alresford but Waller had to tip a shot over the bar just 2 mins later from Hamworthy’s Burbidge to keep the game level. On 44 mins Alresford did open the scoring after good work by Stanbrook and Waters header found Warren Bentley 6 yds out and he finished into the corner of the goal.

HT 1-0

Fifteen mins into the second half and Bentley got his second following a similar move to the first. It was then that the visitors reduced the arrears when Webb was unmarked at the far post and converted a Burbidge cross on 64 mins. Nine mins later and it looked like Alresford were to be denied their just reward when Webb equalised converting another Burbidge cross from close range. Alresford brought on McEnery in the 77th minute for Waters and it was his work down the left on 85 mins that saw his cross deflected by Hamworthy’s Dan Haysom chest into the bottom corner to put the home side back in the driving seat which their were able to retain until the final whistle.

FT 3-2

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

Unused Sub: R. Voysey (G/Keeper)

Sydenhams Premier League (Wessex) Saturday 26-02-11

The Hammers can have few complaints about losing this game to table toppers Winchester City. After a reasonable first half United failed to match Winchester after the break and in the end paid the price. Simon Browne was able to name Aaron Corby in the squad for the first time since he left to join the Navy.

The playing conditions were ideal and the game began with both teams feeling each other out. Greg Horlock had a good opportunity to open Hamworthy’s account when he rose unchallenged to head a George Webb free kick just wide. The same player had an almost identical opportunity minutes later which ended with the same result. The two teams at this stage looked evenly matched with Winchester looking lively up front with on loan Eastleigh striker Jamie Brown proving to be quite a handful. The United defence however was coping with him quite well until a few minutes before the break when the tall Winchester front man hit the foot of the post. Luckily for the Hammers Tom Dunford hit the follow up over the bar.

HT 0-0

Guy Butters obviously gave his side a pep talk during the break, because they began the second half the stronger of the two teams. The Hammers on the other hand did not appear to raise their game as they have done so often in the past in the second half. City brought on substitute Saolo Asajile shortly after the restart, and he made an immediate impact with his pace. Winchester City were now controlling the game and took the lead in the 62nd minute. A low dangerous cross into the six yard box was met by Brown who scored from close range before Sean Lillington could close him down. It could have been two nil only a few minutes later when Brown this time hit the crossbar with a dipping long range shot. United did raise their game after the introduction of Aaron Corby, and for the first time put the Winchester Keeper under pressure. Any hope of getting at least a point ended when with time running out City scored again. Sean Lillington could not hold a low fierce drive from Dunford, and the ball dropped to Asajile to toe poke home. A late flurry in the Winchester penalty area saw a loud appeal for a penalty turned down. Keeper Anderson appeared to push a United player in the back with both hands, but it was apparently not seen by any of the officials, and therefore all appeals were waved away.

FT 0-2

Team: S. Lilington, M.Oldring (W. Robinson), R. Jackson, G. Horlock, M. White, D. Haysom, G.Webb, M. Crow, D. Ewen ,L. Burbidge, B. Magookin (A. Corby)

Unused Sub: D. Ackerman (G/Keeper)