Sydenhams Premier League (Wessex) Monday 29-08-11

The Hammers travelled to Salisbury with a somewhat depleted team for a match against the Harlequins who are one of the favourites to win the league. The result therefore says a lot for the courage and tenacity shown by the Hamworthy players on show. They were battered for most of the second half as they tried to hold on to a one goal lead, and the Home side threw everything at them bar the kitchen sink. They almost succeeded, but finally conceded a late equalizer six minutes from the end of normal time. Sam Lockyer was still on holiday, Lliam Currell was not available, and Dianne Bassiriki had not recovered from the twisted knee received when he over celebrated his goal on Saturday. Dan Spencer and Jack Slattery were also still recovering from injuries. Matt Head was given his first Wessex Premier start, and the not fully fit Stuart Cannie who has only just returned from a long lay off also began the game.

The Hammers were a little slow to get into their stride playing on a perfect playing surface, and it was the Harlequins who had the better of the opening exchanges. Hamworthy did gradually get into the game and Luke Burbidge went close on a couple of occasions. Bemerton still had slightly the better of things, and their front two looked very sharp, and a real handful when they received the ball. To their credit the United defence did well to restrict their goal attempts to a minimum. Perhaps slightly against the run of play it was the Hammers who took the lead from a set piece. A cross to the edge of the six yard box was met by Dan Haysom with a looping header that took it over the stranded Bemerton Keeper, and into the roof of the net. United still created a few chances of their own, but it was mainly Bemerton that had the edge, but they still could not turn that advantage into goals.

HT 0-1

Bemerton came out in the second half determined to get back into the game, throwing men forward at every opportunity. This was to be the pattern of the game for the whole of the second half, but some good defending and an element of good luck frustrated the Salisbury men for most of the time. The Harlequins did get the ball into the net, but Shane Murphy was clearly fouled as he jumped to collect the ball the ball and the Referee who had a clear view rightly disallowed the goal. There was also a shout for a penalty from most of the Bemerton players and their supporter as one of there men went down when tackled in the box. Once more the Match Official who again had a clear view and his Assistant who had an even better view could see no infringement. As the game neared its end Bemertom became even more desperate, and were often guilty of wasting their chances. In deed the Hammers would break out of defence every so often and create a few chances of there own. It was from one of these that a last ditch tackle prevented Luke Burbidge from putting Hammers two up, and the game beyond Bemerton. Harlequins did get there deserved equaliser with six minutes of normal time remaining with an unstoppable diving header in the six yard box, much to the disappointment of an overworked and tired Hamworthy defence. The Harlequins now spent the remaining time, plus the time added looking for a winner, but the United hung on to take home a very hard earned away point.

Team: S. Murphy, K. Yelland, D. Hasom, G. Horlock, M. White,W. Robinson, M.Head (M. Antrobus), S. Lanahan, L. Burbidge, S. Cannie D. Pidgley (J. Byron)

Unused Subs: L. Wilkins, S. Lillington (GK)

Sydenhams Premier League (Wessex) Saturday 27-08-11

Hamworthy recorded their second Home win of the season, but not before giving Simon Browne and their fans the usual jitters. After looking fairly comfortable and a goal to the good before the break, they fell behind to two soft goals soon after the interval. This time however they did manage to raise their game and come back to win. Sam Lockyer was unavailable, but Karl Yelland made a very welcome comeback to the County Ground from Poole Town. Another recent newcomer to the Hammers from the AFC Bournemouth Academy, Shane Murphy was given the chance to see what he could do in goal, with Sean Lillington taking his place on the bench.

The game was only a few minutes old when Lymington almost took the lead with a dipping shot that hit the cross bar. The Hammers gradually got into their game and after a slow start they began to get on top. It was United’s turn to go close when Luke Burbidge just shaved the bottom right hand post with a firmly struck shot. They really should have gone in front when Greg Horlock still up field following a corner found himself unmarked five yard out and with the goal at his mercy. Unfortunately the opportunity fell to his wrong foot, and the ball was blazed miles wide. This lapse did not prove too costly as Hamworthy did take a deserved lead just two minutes later in the 37th minute. Dianne Bassiriki jinxed his way through before laying a ball into the path of Sam Lanahan who hit the ball low and hard past the helpless Stuart Williamson into the net. The Hammers remained firmly in control and deserved their lead at the break.

HT 1-0

United started the second period well, taking the game to the opposition. This was not to last however, and within fifteen minutes of the restart they not only surrendered the lead, but also fell behind to two soft goals. A cross into the box was not gathered cleanly, and a mêlée followed which ended with the ball being finally cleared. To the Town’s delight and the Hammers despair the Referees Assistant indicated that the whole of the ball had crossed the line before it was cleared, and so the Referee gave the goal. Worse was to follow a few minutes later when a now rejuvenated Lymington took the lead with a speculative shot from distance that squeezed under Shane Murphy and into the net. Hamworthy were shook into action, and were not behind for very long. This was thanks to goal struck from short range by Dianne Bassiriki. Not for the first time this season United’s new striker hurt himself when performing his double summersault celebration, and had to leave the field with just under a quarter of an hour to go. The Hammers were now well on top and going for the win. After denying Luke Burbidge with a good diving save, Williamson was beaten by a fierce goal bound shot from the same player. The ball however was brilliantly saved by the Town Central Defender with his hand. This cost him a red card ,and a penalty was awarded to United. Luke Burbidge kept his cool during the delay to score from the spot with almost ten minutes remaining. Lymington did their best to rescue a point, but Hamworthy held out to take the points they deserved.

Team: S. Murphy, K. Yelland, D. Hasom, G. Horlock, M. White,W. Robinson, A. Corby, S. Lanahan, L. Burbidge, D.Bassiriki ( S. Cannie), D. Pidgley (M.Head)

Unused Subs: L. Wilkins, M. Antrobus, S. Lillington (GK)

Budweiser F.A. Cup Extra Preliminary Round (Saturday 20-08-11)
Hamworthy fell at the first hurdle in this year’s F.A. Cup after getting back on equal terms eleven minutes into the second half. Salt was added to the wounds by both Poppies goals being scored by Dave Ewen, a Hammers player until just prior to the start of the season. There could be few complaints at the end however. United turned in a very much under par performance, and got what they probably deserved, nothing. Dan Haysom made his first game after serving a two match suspension. Michael White moved over to right back and Mike Antrobus shifted to the bench, where he was joined by Stuart Cannie who was returning after injury.

Bournemouth were the quicker of the two teams to get into the game, and were the first to get a shot in on goal. The Hammers defending the Irvin Brown Stand end were finding difficulty in finding their front two men. They were too often left isolated with no link up play from the mid-field, and this gave them little opportunity to strike. When the ball did reach them it was head high, and that handed the advantage to the taller Bournemouth defenders. Poppies continued to hold the edge and went close on a couple of occasions before they eventually took the lead. Dave Ewen ran right through the middle of the United defence to score. Protests for a foul by several Hamworthy Players were waved away by the Yeovil based Referee, and the score stood. The half finished with no further goals and with Max Frampton the Poppies Keeper not having to make a difficult save in the whole of the forty-five minutes.

HT 0-1

The Hammers did raise their game a bit at the start of the second half, and at long last began to exert a little more pressure on the Poppies. Hamworthy were handed a lifeline back into the game when Aaron Corby was needlessly brought down in the box as he tried to turn. Max Frampton was then booked for time wasting after kicking the ball away. Luke Burbidge kept his cool to find the corner of the net from the spot when the game was eventually restarted. Play was now getting more stretched, and was a lot more even than the first half. United however not for the first time this season handed the game back to the opposition with a soft goal. This started in the other half of the field, and ended up with the ball in the Hamworthy net. A Bournemouth defender was not closed down quickly enough, and was given the time to clear, and find his man on the wide left. The ball was taken to the corner before a long looping cross was allowed to find Dave Ewen unmarked at the far post. He had the simplest of jobs to nod the ball home from a yard out to restore the lead. Hamworthy almost snatched a replay in the time added on at the end of the game with their best move of the match. Following some good approach work the ball was crossed into the six yard where it was met by substitute Jack Slattery sliding in. It looked as if he must score but the ball somehow just skimmed the cross bar before going over, and with it went the Hammers last chance. So it was the Poppies who pocketed the prize money and marched on to the next round.

FT 1-2

Team: S. Lillington. M.White, S. Lockyer, D. Haysom, G. Horlock) , W. Robinson, A. Corby, S. Lanahan ( S. Cannie), D. Bassiriki, L. Burbidge, D. Pidgley ( J. Satterley)

Unused Subs M. Head, M. Antrobus, S. Murphy (GK)

Sydenhams Premier League (Wessex) Tuesday 16-08-11

Hamworthy picked up their first win of the new season by scoring all five goals at the County Ground. Both teams were eager to make amends for their defeats in the opening games on Saturday, and were keen to get their first points on the board. In the end the Hammers ground out a result rather than play their best football, this after going behind to an early own goal. Dan Haysom was still not up for selection serving the second of his two match suspension left over from last season.

Hamworthy began by taking the game to their opponents with Luke Burbidge just shaving the foot of the post with his shot in the first few minutes. New Milton took an early lead in the tenth minute much against the run of play, and what a bizarre goal it was. A high lob into the penalty box looked to be no danger until a terrible mix up between Keeper Sean Lillington and Greg Horlock. As the ball dropped, the United defender stretched out a foot and knocked it past his Keeper who was favourite to win the ball, and into the empty net. Luckily for the Hammers Town’s lead only lasted a couple of minutes. Sam Lanahan took full advantage of another mistake, this time by the New Milton Keeper to put his team level. Hamworthy continued to create chances despite New Milton working very hard to close them down at every opportunity. With thirty minute gone United took the lead their amount of possession deserved. Diane Bassiriki threaded an accurate through ball to Luke Burbidge who made no mistake with a low drive into the corner of the net. New Milton’s’goal scoring opportunities were far and few between and what there were ably dealt with by Michael White and his men.

HT 2-1

The second half continued with the Hammers on top, but not really playing at their best, and the Town working hard, but not really creating a lot from it. Hamworthy increased their lead about a quarter of an hour into the second period. Diane Bassiriki scored his debut league goal for the Club since joining from Poole Town. He celebrated his goal with a double somersault. For a period after this the Hammers appeared to sit back, and let New Milton back into the game. This nearly proved costly, and they very nearly conceded another goal. It took a very good last ditch save by Sean Lillington to save the day after his team in front of him had allowed New Milton too much time and space to manoeuvre. This near miss acted as a wake up call to the Home side, and they put the game beyond all doubt with a little over ten minutes remaining. Greg Horlock this time scored in the right end with a powerful header direct from a corner. This gave the score-line a fairer reflection of the game. To their credit New Milton never gave up and continued to fight until the final whistle, but on this evidence they could have a long hard struggle in front of them.

FT 4-1
Team: S. Lillington, M. Antrobus S. Lockyer, G. Horlock, M. White (Capt), W. Robinson, A. Corby, S. Lanahan (D. Spencer), (M. Head), D. Bassiriki (J. Satterley) L. Burbidge, D. Pidgley.

Sydenhams Premier League (Wessex) Saturday 13-08-11

There were a few disappointed Hamworthy faces both on and off the field at the end of the ninety minutes. After taking the lead with a very well worked goal fifteen minutes from time, the Hammers proceeded to lose the game with two lapses of concentration in the last ten minutes. Hambles’s name was not the only change that they have made this season. They fielded several new faces and are a lot bigger, stronger and more experienced team this time round. On this showing they should be end the season in at least a top six position. All this said the Hammers matched Hamble for most of the match, and created more and better goal scoring opportunities than their opponents over the ninety minutes.

The first half saw both Teams cancel each other out with both defences on top. There was a complete lack of any real goal scoring opportunities with neither Keeper being called upon to make anything other than routine saves. The sheer physical size of many of the Hamble side meant that they would always be dangerous from set pieces, and Michael White and his fellow defenders did well to keep that danger at bay. Although goal scoring opportunities were practically non existent the play was certainly not boring as both teams probed for an opening, unfortunately without much success.

HT 0-0

The second half followed the same pattern as the first for the first twenty minutes, but then gradually play began to open up. Diane Bassiriki and Luke Burbidge began to get the ball fed through to them on the deck rather than in the air which had always made Lloyd Webber and Co favourites to win the ball. Bassiriki went close with a snap shot from distance shortly before the Hammers opened the scoring in the seventy fifth minute. A quick exchange of passes between Sam Lanahan and Diane Bassiriki saw the Hamworthy new striker cleverly break into the right hand side of the box before picking out Luke Burbidge running through the centre. Last season’s top goal scorer kept his cool to find the corner of the net giving the Hamble Keeper no chance. The Hammers continued to apply the pressure and struck the post soon after, although the Referees Assistant had his flag up. Hamble raised their game and threw men forward in an attempt to get back into the game. Sean Lillington then made three magnificent point blank range saves to keep the Hammer’s lead, and frustrate the Hamble strikers. This all proved to be in vain however when some slack marking from a corner allowed Ashley Jarvis a free close range header to score almost immediately afterwards. Things were going to get worse for the Hammers with less than five minutes remaining and a draw looking to be on the cards. United were breaking out of defence, and had several options on, but unfortunately Will Robinson who had run his socks off all afternoon passed the ball straight to a Hamble player. This resulted in the ball being quickly returned into the danger area from where James Musselwhite secured all three points for his delighted Team and Manager.
Team S. Lillington, M. Antrobus, S. Lockyer, G. Horlock, M. White, D. Pidgley J. Satterley, W. Robinson, A. Corby, S. Lanahan (D. Spencer), L. Burbidge, D. Bassiriki.

Friendly (Saturday 06-08-11)

The Wessex League side dominated the game from start to finish against their near Magna Dorset Premier League neighbours. They held a 4-0 lead at the break which could easily have been double that had they taken half of the many chances that they created. The Hammers played possession football in the second half and scored the goal of the game shortly after the break. A move was started deep in defence and it finished up with the ball in the Poole net without a Borough player touching it. The Home side scored with a well taken goal before United added three further goals before the end of play. To their credit Borough tried right to the end, but the opposition was just too good for them on the day.

Friendly Wednesday 03-08-11

The Hammers fought back from being 2-0 to win this rearranged fixture quite comfortably.

They went on to score five goals to win 5-2 and continue their pre-season unbeaten run

Friendly (Tuesday 02-08-11)

The Evo-Stick Southern Premier Team brought a strong side to the County Ground consisting mainly of First Team players including Ex-Hammer Warren Byerley. Weymouth always had slightly the better of things but the Hammers battled well, and with a little bit of luck could have had a couple more goals themselves. The score was 1-1 at the break with Luke Burbidge taking full advantage of a defensive slip to equalize McKenzie’s opener. Both Teams made changes after the break and Hamworthy twice went close to taking the lead. First Diane Bassiriki’s clever lob just cleared the bar with the Weymouth Keeper struggling to get back to save. He did however save brilliantly from what looked to be a goal bound shot by Luke Burbidge. Weymouth replied by taking full advantage of some mistakes by the new Hamworthy defensive line up to score with two headers from Gerring and Byerley.

Friendly (Sunday 31-07-11)

Hamworthy Reserves continued their unbeaten series of Friendlies with a comfortable 4-0 win over Dorset League Side Stourpaine. The Hammers were always in control of the game, and should have won by more. They led 2-0 at the break, and doubled their lead in the second period. The Hamworthy goals were shared two a piece by Jim Crossin, and John Webb.

Friendly (Saturday 30-07-11)

A last minute 20yard equalizer that went in off the post denied the Hammers the win that they probably deserved over ninety minutes. The Evo –Stick South- West League side held a 1-0 advantage at the break, scored by Jamie Davidson. This was mainly due to the fact that the Hammers failed to convert any of the many easy chances they created in the first half. The introduction of new signing Diane Bassiriki however in the second half soon paid dividends when he finished off a neat build up for the equaliser. Luke Burbidge gave United the lead soon after from the penalty spot. Ex-Hammer George Webb did what he does best, and got forward to take full advantage of some slack marking to bring the scores level again. A Sam Lanahan goal ten minutes from the end looked to have won the game for Hamworthy until that last ditch Ross Lloyd equalizer.