VERWOOD TOWN 6 HAMWORTHY UNITED 5 (5-4 Penalties)
Sydenhams Wessex Cup 1st Round ( Wednesday 15-08- 12)
Hamworthy were always going to be up against it when Greg Horlock was sent off for being the last man. He brought down Jack Satterley just out side the penalty area with only ten minutes of the game gone. Hamworthy made one change to the side that won at Bemerton Heath with Dave Clements coming in for Liam Currell who started on the bench.
Verwood opened strongly, and soon pressurized the United defence who were taking a long time to settle. Following Greg Horlock’s dismissal Aaron Corby went into the unfamiliar role of playing central defender, and it was a real backs to the wall job until half time. It was the Hammers however who took the lead mid way through the half on a rare break. Sam Pekun who was playing a lone role up front, weaved his way through the Verwood defence. He rounded the Keeper before rolling the ball into the net for a fine individual goal. The Town missed several good chances to equalize as the Hammers rode their luck at times, but held firm until the end of the half.
H/T 0-1
After the break Hamworthy looked a bit more organized. They had to defend deep into their own half for most of the time, and only made the odd break. They were helped by the fact that Verwood were not running at the United defence as much as they were in the first half. They were also either well wide or well over with their shooting. Sam Pekun who had always been the Hammers best chance of scoring had to be replaced fifteen minutes from time having run himself into the ground. He was replaced by Liam Currell who did not look fully recovered from Saturday, when he went off injured. Verwood were beginning to look more and more desperate with their shooting, but just as it looked as if Hamworthy would sneak a win they scored. With ten minutes remaining Lee Clark finally got a shot on target and a good one it was too. He hit a screamer into the far corner of the net from fully twenty five yards out that gave Shane Murphy no chance.
F/T 1-1
Extra time continued in much the same way as it had in the second half with Verwood seeing a lot more of the ball, but unable to create many problems when it mattered. Hamworthy did have a couple of chances, but dwelt too long on the ball, and so the score remained the same after the extra period.
Verwood were the first to take a penalty, and this was duly dispatched by their captain. Unfortunately Alex Halloran sent his effort high over the crossbar. The next four Town penalty takers gave Shane Murphy no chance, and despite Aaron Corby, Stuart Cannie, and Ryan Murray all converting theirs, the game was lost.
Team: S. Murphy, M. Seal, A. Staines, G. Horlock, S.Walker, R. Murray, A. Corby, A Halloran,S. Pekun (L. Currell), S. Cannie, D. Clements (W. Robinson)