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

Simon Browne was able to welcome back the four players missing from the mid-week game against Poppies. Jon Byrom kept his position at Centre Half which meant that Dan Haysom took his place on the bench. Blackfield & Langley began the game twelve places below the Hammers, but had seven games in hand so they could not be taken lightly. They also contained several very experienced players like Warren Hunt and the recently signed Ashley Vickers, the ex Dorchester Manager. The Hammers soon got on top and had a great deal more of the possession for the next forty-five minutes. An early through ball found Luke Burbidge whose first time shot appeared destined for the top corner of the net until Jamie Bray dived to his right to palm the ball round for a corner. This was the first of several fine saves by the B&L Man of the Match. Luke Burbidge was causing all sorts of problems with his runs, and this resulted in a few mistimed challenges and a loss of composure by some of the B&L players. Simon Evans had very little to do, but once again his kicking proved to be priceless, and led to both United goals. In the eighteenth minute Luke Burbidge was found out on the wide right, and he weaved his way into the six yard box before picking his spot to score. Simon Evans did have to be alert to push the ball over from a rare B&L attack, but the flag was already raised. Sam Lanahan put Tom Hunt in on goal but Bray once again pulled off another fine save. When the half time whistle did eventually come Hamworthy must have been more than a little disappointed to only having the one goal lead. H.T.1-0 Blackfield & Langley came much more into the game after the break. They now enjoyed a bigger share of the possession than they had in the first half. However it was still the Hammers who looked the more dangerous in front of goal. Arron Corby burst into the penalty area, and shook off several tackles before unfortunately shooting straight at the Keeper. A dangerous Sam Lockyer free kick was deflected for a corner, and Stuart Cannie’s far post header from a pin point Aaron Corby centre went just wide. The deserved United second goal came twelve minutes from time from another long Simon Evans clearance that found Luke Burbidge. He controlled the ball before going round the Keeper to score his second goal from quite a tight angle. Sam Lanahan had another good attempt palmed over as the Hammers went in search of the third goal they probably deserved over the whole game. F.T. 2-0 Team: S. Evans, K. Yelland, S. Lockyer, M.White, J. Byrom, W. Robinson (M. Head), A. Corby, S. Lanahan, L. Burbidge, T. Hunt (L. Currell),S. Cannie. Unused Subs D. Haysom, S. Murphy (GK)

Sydenhams Premier League (Wessex) Tuesday 22-11-11

An excellent team effort meant that despite having to make four team changes from Saturday’s winning line up the Hammers came away from this game with a very creditable draw. The result is even more commendable when you consider it was against an in form team who had scored sixteen and conceded no goals in their last three games. Three of the changes were in the back four with Dan Haysom and Sam Lockyer both suspended, and Kark Yelland absent through work commitments. Navy man Aaron Corby was also unable to get back from Plymouth to play. United did welcome back Liam Currell who was to come on and make an impact from the bench, and dual signing Aston Butcher from Dorchester who impressed in his first game for the Hammers at right back.

Poppies had more of the possession in the first half, but never really looked dangerous once they got in front of goal. Hamworthy’s Man of the Match Michael White and his fellow defenders broke up most of the attacks before they could cause Simon Evans any real problems. The United mid-field also closed the opposition down quickly at every opportunity. Fawazi Saadi did open up the Hamworthy defence shortly before the break but screwed his shot well wide. H.T 0-0 Poppies continued to dominate the possession, but still never really looked like scoring. Simon Evans had to dash off his line to clear a couple of through balls, and punch away a couple of centres from set pieces, but he always looked more than capable of dealing with these. A low cross into the six yard box did cause a rare bit of confusion, but the chance was wasted when the resulting shot was hit wide. Liam Currell came on for Tom Hunt and his early strong run took him into the penalty box. Unfortunately he delayed his shot making it that much easier for Max Frampton to save. Hamworthy’s tiring legs were not helped when Will Robinson was a little harshly adjudged to have handled the ball as it flew at him from close range. He was shown a yellow followed by a red card for a second bookable offence. This made him the second Hammer to have been dismissed in two games. Poppies appeared to get more, and more frustrated as they looked for a winner, but were guilty of wasting the few chances they did get. In fact in the last minute of the game, both Liam Currell and Luke Burbidge had chances to have snatched a late goal. When the final whistle did come, it was a job well done by Simon Browne’s men.

Team: S. Evans, A. Butcher, D. Pidgley, M. White, J. Byron, W. Robinson, S. Lanahan, M. Head, L. Burbidge, T. Hunt (L. Currell), S. Cannie. Unused Subs: R. Dominey, L. Wilkins, S. Murphy (GK)

Dorset Youth League (Division 1) Sunday 20-11-11

The Under Eighteen got back to winning ways after suffering their first defeat of the season the previous Sunday away at Bournemouth Sports. They did this by scoring five without reply against Dorchester Town Under Eighteens at the County Ground. The Hammers led 1-0 at the break, but went on to score another four goals in the second half. The United scorers were Tony Rolls, Matty Platt, Kyle Graham, Peter Bathie and Jesse Arnold. Adrian Perry’s team who top the league now face Wimborne Town who are second in there next game away. Team: R. Voysey, T. Rolls, A. De-Paola, M. Platt, I. Male,T. Hall,K. Graham, D. Pudney (C.Perry), V.Vincent, P.Bathie ( J. Shepherd), J. Swarzin (J. Arnold).

Magna Dorset Premie League Saturday 19-11-11

Mike Buxton’s team followed up their midweek Dorset Senior Trophy win against Verwood Reserves with another. This must have been a particularly pleasing result for him because it was against the team he managed last season. Tony Rolls one of several Youth Team Players in the side gave the Hammers a half time lead which they were able to keep despite having not such a good second half. The win takes them above their opponents in the league as they gradually climb away from trouble. Team: R. Voysey, C.Perry (S. Parker), A. Meredew, V.Vincent, T. Rolls, S. Bessulum, D. Orchard, O. Clayton, K. Graham ( M.Platt), J. Basing (J. Reavenall-Nuete), S.Bedward.

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

Simon Browne had to do without Aaron Stacey last week’s Star Man. This was due to an injury that he picked up in a mid-week game. He was however able to welcome back Keeper Simon Evans who has now left Dorchester Town, and Tom Hunt who also returned from injury and started on the bench. The first half was not the most entertaining of games, with neither side creating many chances. In fact the Referee was busier with his notebook than either of the two Keepers. Hamworthy’s best weapon in the first half was Simon Evans, who quite often turned defence into attack with his kicking. Following one of these kicks Sam Lanahan came the nearest to opening the scoring. His well struck shot brought out a good save from Tony Harrop the Totton & Eling Keeper who was at full stretch to turn the ball round for a corner. With a minute to go, and when it looked as if the first half would end goalless, a Totton player broke into the left hand side of the penalty box. Unfortunately Will Robinson stuck a foot out and clipped the Totton man’s heels right under the nose of the Assistant Referee who immediately signaled the penalty. Steve Green stepped up and beat Simon Evans with a cheeky chipped shot to give his team a half time lead. HT 0-1 It was a different United Side in the second half who were now kicking toward their favoured Irvin Brown Stand end. Tom Hunt who had replaced Stuart Cannie after the break added a bit of pace up front. He had a good chance to equalize, but his header lacked power and was off target. After sixty-three minutes United were awarded a free kick out on the right. A good delivery in was this time well taken by Tom Hunt who headed home and scored his first goal since joining United. Hamworthy now stretched the Totton & Eling defence whenever they ran at them at pace. The Referee continued to collect names in his notebook, and this resulted in the Hammers being reduced to ten men when Sam Lockyer was shown a second yellow card for a foul. The Resulting free kick was headed against the underside of the crossbar before it was cleared up field to Aaron Corby. He surged forward and picked out Tom Hunt on the wide right who sent in a dangerous cross into the six yard box. A melee followed before Aaron Corby who had followed up toe poked the ball over the line. With just less than fourteen minutes to go Totton went seeking the equaliser, but the ten men held on to take all three points. The only downside in a relatively clean game was the fact that the Hammers collected seven yellow cards and a sending off. Totton & Eling were also shown three yellows making it ten in all. FT 2-1

TEAM: S. Evans, K.Yelland, S. Lockyer, M. White, D. Haysom, W. Robinson, A. Corby. D. Pidgley, L. Burbidge, S. Cannie ( T. Hunt) Unused Subs: M. Head, S. Murphy (GK)

Dorset Senior Trophy (2nd Round) Wednesday 16-11-12

The Hammers had to battle hard into extra time to win this second round tie against Verwood Town Reserves from the newly formed Wyvern League. Mike Buxton’s team had a good mix of young and older players in the line up. There was at least four under eighteen players, with Darren Orchard and Scott Bedward representing the more experienced players.

Hamworthy were up against it after only two minutes when their keeper Ben Hayes was injured and had to be replaced by central defender Samia Bessulum. United dominated for long periods of the game and with a little bit of luck could have won in normal time by a two or three goal margin. Darren Orchard rattled the cross bar in the first half, and the lively Ollie Clayton did the same in the second. After battling to get on the end of a long through ball Jordon Basing did well to keep his head and go round the Town Keeper and score the opener. Despite having less of the play Verwood did not take long to equalize however. They took t full advantage of the fact they were not closed down quickly enough on a rare attack, and this gave a Town player the time to get his shot away. He curled the ball past the stand in keeper and into the top corner of the net. Despite dominating most of the second half the Hammers failed to increase the lead, and so the game went into extra time.

Less than two minutes after the restart United were awarded a penalty, which Dan Pidgley slotted home. Verwood were reduced to ten men after a red card was shown for swearing at the Referee. As so often happens in these cases they then raised their game and enjoyed much more of the possession. This meant that some very tired United players had to hold on for the last few minutes to go through to a Home tie against Weymouth Sports.

Team: B. Hayes (S. Bessulum) R. Dominey, D. Pidgley, T. Rolls (A.Meredew), J. Byron, V. Vincent, D. Orchard, O. Clayton, J. Basing, K. Graham (M.Playy

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

Hamworthy got their first double of the season with this win over close rivals Lymington Town, who before this game sat just one place and two points behind them in the league. This also stopped a run of recent poor results, as the Hammers got back to the form that they had been showing earlier in the season. Karl Yelland and Aaron Corby both returned after missing Monday’s cup game, and Man of the Match Aaron Stacey who never stopped working was chosen to play in mid-field The first ten minutes were fairly even with both teams testing each other out. The Hammers came close to opening the scoring when Sam Lanahan fed Luke Burbidge. He crossed the ball into the box for Stuart Cannie to head inches wide, with Stuart Williamson struggling to get across to make the save. The Town also nearly conceded an own goal when Williamson had to be alert to push a goal bound header from one of his players over the bar. Lymington were also creating chances, but United had dealt with these fairly comfortably until a ball was fed out to the wide right wing after nineteen minutes. It was then crossed to the far post where Lee Chudy out jumped Carl Yelland to head home. To their credit heads did not go down, and United gradually began to get the better of things. Luke Burbidge and Stuart Cannie were unsettling the Town back four with their runs into the box. Some players appealed to the Referee that the ball had crossed the line following a corner, but this was waved away. Another good move started by Karl Yelland breaking down the right. It finished with Cannie’s first time shot that was heading for the top corner, until Williamson finger tipped it round for a corner. The Pressure finally paid off for the Hammers with a well taken equaliser in the thirty fourth minute. Burbidge once more jinxed his way into the penalty box before feeding the ball to Sam Lanahan. He dug the ball out from under his feet, and curled the ball into the top corner of the net. Hamworthy continued to press, and thought they had scored a second goal when Dan Haysom headed in a corner, but the Referee ruled it out, much to the surprise of many watching including some of the Home team supporters. H.T. 1-1 In the first minute of the second half Burbidge had the Town Keeper diving at full stretch to push the ball round the post. He again weaved his way into the right hand side of the six yard box, but this time hit the side netting with his shot. United took a deserved lead in the sixty second minute after the Keeper had made a good stop from Lanahan . The ball broke loose to Dan Pidgley who kept his cool to slot it past the keeper. It looked as if they must add to the goal tally shortly afterwards with a thumping shot from Stuart Cannie that had beaten Williamson. It was stopped on the goal line by Sam Carter using his groin to intercept, and this led to a fairly long stoppage while he recovered. With fifteen minutes to go Lymington were reduced to ten men when one of their players was shown a second yellow. As so often happens they raised their game, and took the game to United for the rest of the match. They gave the Hammers more trouble with ten men than at any time when they had eleven, especially when they threw men forward in search of an equalizer. F.T. 1-2 Team: S. Murphy, K. Yelland, S. Lockier, M. White, D. Haysom, A. Stacey, A. Corby, S. Lanahan, L. Burbidge, S. Cannie, D. Pidgley (W. Robinson)

Sydenhams Premier League (Wessex) Saturday 05-11-11

This was another disappointing result for the Hammers following the mid-week Cup debacle against Gillingham. It has to be said that at least this time there was a bit more effort put into this game. Also over the ninety minutes Christchurch were never really that much better than United. Hamworthy once again did their best to contrive to their own downfall, and again showed their lack of ability to defend corners and set pieces. Simon Browne made a few changes to the side from the last game. Karl Yelland returned to his position at right back with Will Robinson and Aaaron Corby being restored to mid-field. Tom Hunt a recent dual signing from Wimborne made his first start for the Hammers up front, and Aaron Stacey started on the bench after his re-signing. Matt Head and Lee Wilkins both were on the bench. For the first thirty minutes of the game there was nothing between the two teams with neither keeper having much to do. A free kick from Will Robinson was headed just past the post by Tom Hunt early on. Luke Burbidge also had a good chance to open the scoring. This followed a series of good passes to make the opening, but Stewart Kearns saved comfortably at his post. With both teams cancelling one another out, Christchurch were awarded their first corner of the game. The in-swinging cross into the six yard box was not dealt with which allowed a Christchurch player the time and room to score with a header. Play continued to be pretty even until once again some poor defending led to another goal. This time a player was picked out unmarked in the United six yard box. He quickly controlled the ball and hit a fierce shot past Shane Murphy that hit the inside of the post before going in. Graham Kemp and his men must have blessed their luck to have been handed a two goal lead before the break which their play had done little to deserve. H.T 2-0 Christchurch who were now kicking down the slope began taking the game to the Hammers. Although now under a little more pressure Hamworthy were dealing with it well until another corner led to their further downfall. This time the cross came in much lower, and when the shot followed from the edge of the six yard box it hit Aaron Corby, and deflected into the net. Christchurch’s fourth goal was highly debatable, and led to many discussions long after the game had finished as to whether it was legal or not. Shane Murphy had made the save and was holding the ball in one hand ready to release it before drop kicking it. Before he could do this he was jostled by a Christchurch player who collected the ball as it fell, and put it in the empty net. The Referee who appeared to be walking and facing the other way when the incident took place did not consult his Assistant and awarded the goal. To be fair the Assistant did not indicate that he saw anything either. The last few minutes of the game were all Hamworthy, and they were awarded a penalty in the last couple of minutes when Stewart Kearns pulled back substitute Aaron Stacey. Luke Burbidge stepped up to score from the spot and reduce the arrears. Over the ninety minutes there was never really any more than a goal in it, but fair play to Christchurch who took full advantage of the Hammers shortcomings to score four. F.T 4-1 Team: S. Murphy, K.Yelland, S. Lockyer, M.White, D. Haysom, W. Robinson, A. Corby, S. Lanahan (L. Wilkins), L. Burbidge, T. Hunt (A. Stacey), S. Cannie

Dorset Senior Cup (2nd Round)

Simon Browne was forced into making changes to the line up with Karl Yelland and Jack Satterly unavailable, and Dianne Bassiriki injured. This however did not excuse the abysmal performance of the side against a team from one step below them in the F.A. pyramid. It was not just the losing of the game, but the manner in which they lost. Gillingham who thoroughly deserved their win were up for it and wanted it far more than the Hammers. Hamworthy turned in another poor Cup performance and probably had their worst game this season.

It all started brightly enough with the Hammers having slightly the better of the early exchanges. Things were soon to change when Gillingham won a corner from their first attack after five minutes. The resulting cross was headed against the bar, and when the ball dropped it should have been easily cleared. Will Robinson who was filling in at full back in place of Karl Yelland gave the ball straight to a Town player. He was standing on the six yard box, and had the simple job to side foot the ball past Shane Murphy. The Hammers quickly got back on to the attack, and were back level within four minutes. Stuart Cannie cut in from the left, and fired a shot into the bottom corner to restore parity. Any hopes that United would now raise their game after getting over the early shock was soon dispelled with another piece of poor defending. A well taken free kick into the six yard box was again not dealt with. This allowed the Gillingham man of the match Salem to get in a looping header in the top corner to score. This was his second goal of the game with only eighteen minutes gone. Things got worse for the Hammers when they gave the ball away cheaply in their own half. This resulted in a quick Gillingham passing movement that ended with the ball in the back of the United net. The Hamworthy mid-field at times looked non existent, and was often overrun. Salem who was a constant threat in the air again hit the crossbar from a corner. Following a save from a Hamworthy corner there were loud appeals from the United players that the ball had gone over the line, but these were turned down by the officials.

HT 1-3

Any hopes of a Hammers revival soon disappeared within a few minutes of the restart. A Town player broke down the wing, and hit an accurate cross into the box. This found an unmarked Nick Crompton who gave Shane Murphy no chance with a well placed shot. Arron Corby who had hit the woodwork in the first half came close to reducing the arrears when he hit the post. United also had another attempt cleared off the line. Gillingham too also had good chances to increase their lead, especially when a few Hamworthy players began to argue with each other. When the final whistle came nobody could dispute the result which was a fair reflection of the North Dorset side’s superiority for most of the game, and United’s failure to compete with them

FT 1-4 Team: S.Murphy,W.Robinson,S. Lockyer,,M.White,D.Haysom,S. Lanahan ,L.Wilkins ,M.Head, L.Burbidge,A.Corby, S.Cannie

Sydenhams Premiere League Wessex (Saturday 29-10-11)

Simon Browne kept the same starting eleven that had beaten Laverstock & Ford so convincingly the previous Saturday. As expected these opponents would prove to be made of much sterner stuff than Laverstock, and The Hammers had twice to come from behind to take a share of the points in a closely contested game.

The visitors started quickly, and had slightly the upper hand in the opening exchanges. The Hammers took a while to get into their rhythm and did well to contain the pacey Moneyfield front men, who passed the ball around well. It was Hamworthy however who came the closest to opening the scoring. Luke Burbidge ran down the wing, and rattled the cross bar with a 20 yard shot from the wide left that had keeper David Hook well beaten. Another good run by Sam Lanahan saw him pick out Dan Pidgley who shot inches wide. Moneyfields were still very much in the game, and took the lead when some slack marking helped Louis Savage pick his spot to score. The lead for the Portsmouth based side did not last for long, with United equalizing with the goal of the game. Luke Burbidge weaved his way through the heart of the Moneyfields defence before hitting a low shot past the diving Hook, and into the corner of the net. Both teams had their chances to take the lead before the break, but were unable to do so, and it remained all square

HT 1-1

Not long after the restart Moneyfields thought they had taken the lead, but they had not noticed that the Assistant Referee had raised his flag for off side. Luke Burbidge picked out Dianne Bassiriki in the six yard box, but some good defending prevented him from getting his shot away. Both sides were playing their part in an entertaining game, and a draw looked to be on the cards with about ten minutes remaining. Jake Slater took full advantage of a moment’s hesitation in the Hammers’ defence to run on to a through ball and smash it past the stranded Shane Murphy. It gave the Portsmouth side what looked like the winning lead with time running out. In the last minute however substitute Stuart Cannie made a run down the left wing that took him past three defenders. Just as he was about to be closed down he hit a cross to the far post which took a slight deflection that beat Hook, and the ball dropped into the top corner of the net. There was barely time for the teams to restart before the Referee blew the final whistle leaving things all square, which was probably a fair result over the ninety minute

FT 2-2

Team: S. Murphy, K. Yelland, S. Lockyer, M. White, D. Haysom, S. Lanahan ( L. Wilkins), A. Corby, M.Head, L.Buridge, D. Bassiriki (J. Satterley), D. Pidgley (S. Cannie) Unused Subs: J. Byron, B. Hayes (GK)