Sydenhams Premier League (Wessex) Saturday 18-02-12

After Tuesday night’s win at Horndean Simon Browne kept the same starting line up that began that game, despite having Sam Lockyer and Karl Yelland back for selection. Brading played in the Hammers black and yellow change strip having left their kit behind on the Island. Hamworthy were looking to build on their mid-week win to help erase the memory of their last home game. This they certainly did.

In the first half the weather was far from ideal with a swirling wind which made playing conditions very difficult for both sides. The Hammers kicked towards the Irvin Brown Stand with the wind behind them, and kept Brading in their own half for much of the first thirty minutes. The Visitors well led by the experienced Ollie Fleming defended in depth, and prevented any real clear cut chances in that time. United’s first real opportunity came with a snap shot by Luke Burbidge from just inside the penalty area. Keeper Gareth True did well to dive to his right and turn the ball round the post. Hamworthy almost scored from the resulting corner when the ball was cleared off the line by a Town defender with the keeper beaten. The Hammers also went close with a free kick that flashed past the far post. Brading had a little flurry of attacking play five minutes before the break, and it was Simon Evans who had to be on his toes to pull off a good save to keep the score goalless at the break.

H/T 0-0

By the time the second half started the wind had dropped considerably, and the teams were now able to get the ball down and play a bit. Hamworthy still had the upper hand and were beginning to get their passing game going. When Brading did get forward they often shot from distance, and that gave Simon Evans and the United back four few real problems. Town Keeper True pulled off another good save when he saved a Lee Chuddy header from close range when it looked as if the United striker must score. The hard working Aaron Stacey was seeing a lot of the ball in midfield and it was him who had a hand in both Hamworthy goals. The first came after seventy nine minutes when following a good run down the left wing he cut in down the byline, beat a defender, and crossed the ball into the six yard box. A United shot was blocked on the goal line, but the ball rebounded to Steve Whitcher who picked his spot to open the scoring. Five minutes later, and following another good run in mid field Stacey picked out Luke Burbidge with a great ball over the Town defence. Burbidge took the ball to the by line and picked out Lee Chuddy coming in at the far post to double the lead. Hamworthy had left it late but ended up worthy winners at the final whistle.

F/T 2-2

Team: S. Evans, J. Wyatt, G. Horlock, M.White, D. Haysom, A. Stacy, S. Lanahan (J. Wakefield), W. Robinson (S. Lockyer) , S. Whitcher, L. Chuddy (T. Hunt) L. Burbidge.

Unused Sub: K. Yelland, R. Voysey (GK)

Sydenhams Premier League (Wessex) Tuesday 14-02-12

With over two weeks without a league game the Hammers were eager to put behind them the memories of their last disastrous game against Fareham. Before the match Manager Simon Browne had asked his team for a positive response, and to show what they were achieving before the start of their bad run. Sam Lockyer and Karl Yelland were both suspended. Aaron Stacey took the place in mid-field of Aaron Corby who is away on Navy duties, and John Wyatt came in and played at right back. Greg Horlock also made a welcome return to the team after a three month lay-off through injury.

The Hammers started very positively right from the kick off playing up the considerable slope. They were unable however to convert some of their well worked openings into goals, that is until the seventeenth minute. Dan Haysom’s left wing cross was met by Sam Lanahan with a well placed header to open the scoring for the Hammers. Hamworthy continued to press, but Horndean who had a couple of very quick players looked dangerous on the break. The United back four were playing well and were well supported by keeper Simon Evans who cleared up behind them at the first sign of danger. Ten minutes before half time Lee Burbidge did a jinxing run down the right and picked out Lee Chudy with a superb pin point cross. The Hamworthy striker found the net with a simple tap in to score his first goal since transferring from Lymington.

H/T 0-2

Hamworthy continued to play well and twelve minutes into the second half they were awarded a free kick which was taken by Lee Chudy. He curled the ball round the wall and found the top left hand corner of the net with a top drawer finish to double his goal total. Shortly afterwards a rare lack of concentration led to a Horndean goal. Nobody closed the attacker down, and he was allowed to run and find the top corner of the net with a good finish. On this occasion United did not panic and seven minutes later Steve Whitcher restored the three goal margin with his fist league goal for the Hammers. When the final whistle came twenty minutes later it sealed a fine team performance in a match which must have restored a lot of the confidence that has been missing in recent weeks. United must now go on and show this same spirit for the rest of the season if they are to finish in the top ten in the league.

F/T 1-4.

Team: S. Evans, J. Wyatt, G. Horlock, M.White, D. Haysom, A. Stacy (J. Wakefield), S. Lanahan, W. Robinson (J. Byrom), S. Whitcher, L. Chuddy, L. Burbidge.

Unused Sub: R. Voysey (GK)

Dorset Youth League Division One Sunday 29-01-12

Following the team’s only league defeat of the season against Bournemouth Sports the young Hammers were determined to win this one. They also wanted to keep their unbeaten home record intact, especially as the visitors were currently just one place behind them in the league.

For the first quarter of an hour play was fairly evenly divided with United creating a few chances down the right hand side. As you would expect in such a competitive game the tackling at times was very strong. As the game progressed the Hammers got on top and began to dominate play. After missing two good chances and following a good passing move they took the lead. Callum Perry won a strong tackle with a Bournemouth defender before beating the Keeper with a great strike to give Hamworthy a half time lead.

H/T 1-0

Early in the second half saw the welcome return of Tony hall now fully recovered after suffering a punctured lung against Wimborne. United went 2-0 up with another great goal this time scored by Ian Male. Following the goal it was decided to protect the lead by making a few changes. Luca Hamilton was introduced on the right side of midfield and Peter Bathie to the left. United now had a very solid defensive formation which frustrated the opposition who were continually being caught off side. At the final whistle it was three very well earned points for the young Hammers who increase their lead at the top.

Team: R. Voysey, T. Rolls, C. Perry, M. Platt, A. De-Paola, V. Vincent, I.Male, K. Graham (T. Hall), J. Sheppard (P. Bathie), D. Pudney (L. Hamilton), L. Middlewick

Magna Dorset Premier League Saturday 28-01-12

The Reserves were hoping to do the double over fellow strugglers Weymouth Reserves, but this was not to be. Their cause was not helped by several late calls from players pulling out of the game at the last minute.

Weymouth scored one in each half, with the Hammers scoring one in the second half through Kyle Spyers

Team B.Hayes, C. Perry (K.Stacey), A. Meredew, S. Parker, V. Vincent,T. Rolls O. Clayton, K. Spyers (J.Morris), D. Orchard, J. Basing, S. Bedward

Sydenhams Premier League (Wessex) Saturday 28-01-12

This was Hamworthy United’s worst defeat since joining the Sydenhams Wessex League in the 1994/95 season. It equals the score against a strong Wimborne Town team in that first season. However Alex Pike deliberately fielded a complete Reserve side on that occasion. He did this for tactical reasons before we were due to face Gosport in the Wessex Cup semi-final in mid-week. We got fined for this, but it was worth it because we beat Gosport in that game, and Thatcham Town in the Final to win the cup at our first attempt. There could be no such excuses for this miserable display against a Fareham Town Team that was made to look a lot better than it actually was by some woeful defending, and a non existent attack. Simon Browne in his program notes asked the supporters to get behind the team, and assured them that there would be no lack of effort. However I am afraid the team did let him down with their efforts. In a very poor second half it became very difficult for even the most ardent supporter to get behind them, and in fact several left before the finish.

It has to be said that there was no indication in the first twenty five minutes of what was to follow. In fact it was the Hammers who had the best chances to open the scoring. A poor header out by a Town defender dropped to Stuart Cannie on the left hand side of the box, but he shot just wide of the far post. Fareham took the lead with their first real attempt of the game. A fiercely struck shot from just inside the penalty area found the back of the net, giving Simon Evans little chance. New boy Josh Wakefield was desperately unlucky not to have got the Hammers back on level terms when he struck the corner of the crossbar from distance with the Fareham Keeper Luke Douglas well beaten. Fareham scored again just before the interval with a fortuitous shot that took a wicked deflection, and wrong footed the unlucky Simon Evans.

H/T 2-0

Hamworthy usually play a lot better when kicking towards the Irvin Brown Stand, but apart from a few minutes pressure on the Fareham goal in the first few minutes after the restart, it was all down hill. A quick break and some poor defending led to the Towns third goal, and this appeared to knock any fight out of United. Fareham were now in complete control, and scored four more goal including a penalty at regular intervals in the remaining time. It could be said that the Visitors had one of those days that everything they hit at goal went in, but that did not excuse Hamworthy’s complete surrender.

Simon Browne and his management Team now have the very difficult job of turning things round, and must do so very quickly.

Team:

S.Evans, J. Wakefield, M.White, J. Byrom, D. Haysom, S. Lockyer (D.Pidgley), J. Wakefield, S. Whitcher (A. Corby), W. Robinson, S. Cannie (S. Lanahan), L. Chudy, L. Burbidge

Unused Subs: A. Stacey, T. Hunt