After Saturday’s postponement, and with some players unable to travel due work commitments, the Hammers were delighted to finish the season on a winning note. Simon Browne had only twelve players to pick his squad from, including two from the Youth Team. Vinny Vincent played the whole game, and Ollie Clayton came on in the second half. Both turned in good performances, and looked good prospects for the future. This result unfortunately sent Brading down, but not before they had given United a bit of a testing time in the second half.

The Hammers started the game strongly kicking down the slope, and on a heavy sticky pitch with a slippery surface. However it was the Home side who took the lead against the run of play, and from their first real attack of the match in the seventeenth minute. From a fierce shot the ball rebounded off Shane Murphy’s chest, and went straight to a Brading player who this time found the net. The lead did not last long as Hamworthy battled back to equalize through Lee Chudy with a well taken goal. United continued to dominate the play and should have taken the lead before they were rewarded with a free kick just outside the penalty box. Lee Chudy again scored with a perfect strike just inside the post that gave the Town Keeper no chance. Despite having further opportunities to increase their lead United were unable to convert them before the break.

H/T 1-2

As you would expect from a team fighting for their survival, and with the slope now in their favour, Brading went looking for the equalizer right from the restart. Despite the increased pressure the United defence looked sound, that is until twenty minutes from time when the Town scored a second goal to give them fresh hope. That hope was short lived however for within a minute the Hammers regained the lead. Following a quick break, a Luke Burbidge shot took a deflection off a defender which then saw the ball loop over a despairing keeper and drop into the empty net. To their credit the Home team battled right until the final whistle for the equalizer that would have kept them up, but a resolute United rearguard ensured that this was not to be. Brading has always been a happy hunting ground for the Hammers, and so it proved to be once more. This win meant Hamworthy have won nine of their last eleven games, drawing one and losing one.

F/T 2-3

Team: S. Murphy, J. Wyatt, M.White, D.Haysom, K.Yelland ,A.Stacey, S.Lanahan, V. Vincent , L.Burbidge, L. Chudy ( O. Clayton), S.Whitcher.

Hamworthy made it eight wins and one draw in their last ten games, when they at long last beat “Bogey Team” AltonTown in this their final home game of the season. The Visitors had already beaten the Hammers twice this season in both the league and FA Vase fixtures. After being unavailable in the mid-week game Shane Murphy returned in goal, and Michael White started in place of Dan Haysom. The two teams looked evenly matched in the first quarter of the game, with neither side able to get in a telling strike on goal. This was to change after twenty minutes when Greg Horlock latched on to a cross from a corner into the six yard box, and side footed the ball into the net. Luke Burbidge headed a John Wyatt cross just wide before Alton equalized on the half hour with a well taken strike by Ryan Ayling that gave Shane Murphy no chance. It took Hamworthy just five minutes to restore their lead when Luke Burbidge laid on the perfect pass into the six yard box for Lee Chudy to score. A through ball found Luke Burbidge in on goal, but his shot went just wide of the post as Craig Atkinson the Town keeper ran out to narrow the angle. Hamworthy continued to have the edge on their opponents, and deserved to go in at the break in the lead. H/T 2-1
United continued to have the better of things after the break, but Alton who had beaten League winners Winchester in their previous game always looked capable of getting back into the game given the chance. The Hammers went close when Sam Lockyer went sliding in at the far post, but just failed to connect with a great low cross into the box from Luke Burbidge. The same player again laid on the United third goal six minutes from time after collecting a long ball out of defence, and putting Lee Chudy through one on one with the Keeper. The Hamworthy striker finished off a great goal by keeping his cool to lift the ball over the diving Craig Atkinson, and into the empty net. United were still not finished and they scored again with three minutes left when once again the two strikers combined to score Lee Chudy’s third and Hamworthy’s fourth goal to complete an enjoyable afternoon. A lot of praise for this great result should not only go to Luke Burbidge for laying on three goals and Lee Chudy for scoring a hat-trick, but to the whole team for another good team performance. Hamworthy now go to Brading for the last game of the season hoping to finish in the top eight in the league, and that would be an improvement on last years ninth place. F/T 4-1

Team: S. Murphy, J. Wyatt, S. Lockyer, M.White, G. Horlock, W. Robinson (A.Stacey), S.Lanahan, A. Corby ,L.Burbidge, L. Chudy, J. Wyatt (D.Haysom). Unused Subs: K.Yelland, D. Pidgley

Hamworthy extended their unbeaten run to six games with this fine win over close rivals Downton. This win was all the sweeter for Simon Browne and his team having lost away to their opponents in January 2-1 in a very close game. Shane Murphy was unavailable for this game so the Hammers were pleased to welcome back Sean Lillington in goal. Karl Yelland who has not played recently due to work commitments returned on the bench, and Michael White who broke his nose in the last game joined him. The match started as it was to continue, at a fast pace, with neither Team able to get on top for very long. This was to change twenty seven minutes into the game when Aaron Corby collected the ball out on the wide left, and crossed it dangerously into the six yard box. Greg Horlock met the cross with a powerful header that gave Charlie Aldridge the Downton Keeper no chance. Hamworthy gradually got on top playing some good fast flowing football. Within five minutes United had doubled their lead with another powerful header. This time it was Sam Lockyer who made a good run down the left before delivering a pin point cross which Sam Lanahan bravely headed home. Shortly before the break the Hammers went close again, but this time Greg Horlock headed just over.

H/T 2-0

Hamworthy continued to have the upper hand at the start of the second period. Downton looked very capable of scoring, but they were given very few chances by a very tight United defence. Sean Lillington had to be alert however to deflect a close range effort as the visitors attempted to close the gap. In fact Downton fell further behind in the sixty second minute when Luke Burbidge scored with a well taken volley. He hit the ball straight back past the keeper following a poor clearance. Just as it looked as if Hamworthy were going to keep a clean sheet they conceded an own goal. Greg Horlock misjudged his headed clearance, and the ball dropped behind him. Sam Lockyer then went to clear the ball out of the six yard box, but miscued and only succeeded in putting it into his own net. Downton continued to try for a second goal, but it was Sam Locker who almost scored at the other end when the ball just skimmed the crossbar. This win at the end of a very entertaining game saw the Hammers go above their opponents and leap two places in the league. They are now just one point behind last years points total with two games to play, and have a good chance of finishing in the top eight at the end of the season.

F/T 3-1

Team: S. Lillington, J. Wyatt, S. Lockyer, D. Haysom, G. Horlock, W. Robinson, S.Lanahan, A. Corby (K. Yelland), L.Burbidge, L. Chudy (J. Basing), J. Wyatt

The Reserves continued with their recent run of better form with an impressive win over Blandford United in this highly entertaining game. In November the Hammers lost 6-1 to Blandford in the reverse fixture so this result went a long way to revenging that defeat. The first half was fairly even with Blandford hitting the woodwork twice. Hamworthy also hit the post, but more importantly took the lead with a coolly taken goal by Kyle Spyers. He is making a habit of scoring since coming to the County Ground, and is one of the reasons for the team’s recent success. Hamworthy were also denied a stone wall penalty when Callum Perry was taken out of the game by a reckless challenge well inside the box. The score remained 1-0 at the interval, but this was to change seven minutes into the second period when Daren Orchard doubled the lead. The Hammers had a third goal ruled offside as they continued to cause Blandford problems at the back. To their credit the Visitors continued to make a game of it, and set the Reserves back on their heels with two quick goals. In the past this would have been enough to have knocked the stuffing out of the young Hammers, and they would have gone on and lost the game, but they are now made of sterner stuff. Substitute Scott Parker soon restored the lead with a great lob from distance that went in just under the bar. Another substitute the more experienced Scott Bedward scored from a simple tap in following a good move. The game was now out of Blanford’s reach and Karl Spyers scored his second goal of the game with a terrific finish that saw the ball fly across the face of the goal, and go in just inside the far post. This was a good all round performance and a measure of the distance this team has come since those heavy defeats at the start of the season.

Team: B. Hayes, A. Vernon, D. Pidgley, W.Robinson (S. Parker), V.Vincent ( J. Schwearzin), A. Meredew, D. Orchard, O. Clayton, K. Spyers , J.Basing, C. Perry (S. Bedward.)

Hamworthy United were forced to make six changes to the team that had done so well against Blandford two days previously. They welcomed Centre Back Jamie Turvey to the team for his first game. After playing reasonably well up to half time, mistakes at the back cost the Hammers the match, and flattered the opposition with a bigger winning margin than their play deserved. Chickerell took an early lead when they caught the revamped Hamworthy back line too square. A visiting striker took full advantage to run through and score. The Reserves drew level through Youth Team striker Tony Hall halfway through the first period, and the scores remained level at the break. The teams continued to be evenly matched until Keeper Rob Voysey hit the ball right at an opponent as he attempted to clear, when it looked as if he could have picked it up. This left the Chickerell man with a simple tap in. The Hammers continued to try and get back in the game, but once again they were caught too square at the back, and paid the penalty with conceding another poor goal. As heads dropped the visitors added a fourth to make the Hammers’ miserable day complete, and prove the point that you can not lose six players and still expect to win.
Team: R.Voysey, C. Perry, R. Cooper, S. Parker, V. Vincent, J. Turvey, D. Orchard, K. Stacey (K. Graham), K. Spyers, T. Hall (J. Arnold), S. Bedward.

The Hammers were hoping to continue their recent run of successes against a much strengthened Blackfield & Langley side since United’s win over them at the County Ground earlier in the season. The Home team also listed Simon Evans as their Keeper after his recent transfer deadline move from United, after promising to stay. Hamworthy were without the suspended Aaron Stacey, but welcomed duel signing Ashley Staines from Weymouth back into the starting line up. Home on leave Aaron Corby returned to the bench before coming on in the second half. Sam Lockyer also returned after injury also returned on the bench.
The game was certainly not one of the best as both teams worked hard, but struggled to make many clear cut chances. The goal however when it did come in the last couple of minutes of the game was well worth waiting for, and it came from an unlikely source. Second half Substitute Sam Lockyer who does not score a lot of goals will not get many better ones than this. He hit a twenty five yard volley passed the helpless Simon Evans, just under the bar, and into the top corner of the net to give his team all three points, and the double over a very dejected Blackfield & Langley team.
F/T 0-1
The Hammers now need four more points from their last three games to beat last season’s total of 66 points, and they now have a good chance of a top eight finish.

Team: S. Murphy, J. Wyatt, M.White, G. Horlock, D. Haysom, S. Whitcher ( A. Corby), S. Lanahan, W. Robinson, A. Staines, (S. Lockyer), L.Chudy ( J. Basing),
L. Burbidge

This was a good opportunity for the Reserves to get three more points in the bag to help their climb up the table. This they did, but the 2-1 score line made the match look much closer than it actually was. The Shaftsbury Keeper made three outstanding saves in the first half and a couple more in the second to keep his side in the hunt. The Hammers also had another what looked to most people watching to be a perfectly good goal by Jordon Basing disallowed for offside. To be fair that also could have been said about a Shaftsbury goal disallowed for a push on the Keeper in the second half. United who despite having many more chances to score than their opponents, only managed to do so once in each half. Karl Spyers who had another impressive game, finished off a good move to give the Hammers a well deserved lead after twenty minutes. Ollie Clayton doubled the lead ten minutes after the break smashing home a Sam Lanahan cross into the six yard box. Shaftsbury scored in time added on to spoil Hamworthy’s chance of keeping a clean sheet

Team: B. Hayes, A. Vernon, R. Cooper, A. Meredew, V.Vincent, S. Lanahan, D. Orchard, O. Clayton, L. Burbidge, K. Spyers , J.Basing. Subs: C.Perry, S. Parker, J. Schwarzin, T.Hall,L.Middlewick.

This was always going to be a close game and that is how it turned out to be, but following a revitalized second half the Hammers must have felt just a little disappointed not to have taken all three points. Simon Evans was unavailable due to illness, so United welcomed back Shane Murphy in goal who was returning after a long lay off with injury himself. Steve Whitcher started on the bench after missing last week’s game whilst Stuart Cannie and Karl Yelland were not available for selection.

The Hammers started the more brightly of the two teams and they had a slight edge on the possession in the opening few minutes. Luke Burbidge cut in from the right and fed Will Robinson whose shot just went wide of the post. Gradually Romsey upped their game and began to see a lot more of the ball as United struggled to get their passing game going. They took the lead after twenty six minutes following a couple of controversial decisions that went against the home team. Will Robinson appeared to have been clattered from the back, but the Referee allowed play to continue. Play was quickly switched to the far left where the receiving player appeared to be well off side when the ball was first played to him. The Referees Assistant who looked to have been caught off guard and behind play kept his flag down. Liam Robinson met the resulting cross into the box, and smashed the ball passed the helpless Shane Murphy. United still struggling to get their game going again did well to restrict Romsey to mainly long shots before the interval which were all either wide or comfortably dealt with.

H/T 0-1

Steve Whitcher replaced Dan Pidgley at half time, and this appeared to give the Hammers a much more cutting edge in the second period. For the first time in the game they really began to give the Town defence some problems with their running and pace, and won several corners. Luke Burbidge was as usual at the heart of most of the United attacks. Six minutes after the restart a Town defender was adjudged to have fouled him in the penalty area, and Lee Chudy made no mistake from the spot. Hamworthy were now well on top, but despite going close on several occasions could not find the net. Steve Whitcher put Lee Chudy through on goal, but the United striker saw his shot go inches over the bar. Steve Whitcher and Luke Burbidge both had good chances to give United the lead but could not take them. Whitcher headed wide from close range, and Burbidge after being put through one on one with Town Keeper Matt Brown saw his effort well saved. Romsey still had their chances mainly now on the break, and missed a golden opportunity to have taken the lead fifteen minutes from time. Luckily for the Hammers the man who had time and space, and only Shane Murphy to beat blasted the ball high and wide. When the final whistle came it was Hamworthy who finished the more disappointed of the two teams not to have taken all three points, especially as Shane Murphy had really not had a lot to do.

F/T 1-1

Team: S. Murphy, J. Wyatt, G. Horlock, D. Haysom, M.White, S.Lanahan, W.Robinson, A. Stacey, L.Burbidge, L. Chudy (J. Basing), D. Pidgley (S. Whitcher)

It was important that the Reserves got something out of this local derby against their near neighbours. With many of the team involved in the very important Youth Team match the following day it was asking a great deal of these young players to raise their game. They did however rise to the occasion, and were more than a little disappointed at the end of the game not to have taken all three points. The Hammers played very well in the first half taking the game to their opponents. Karl Spyers scored for United to give them a deserved lead at the break, but Poole Borough rescued a point in the second half. Karl Spyers and Ollie Clayton both had good chances to have won the game for United. The best chance of all fell to Callum Perry who with the goal at his mercy somehow hit the bar with his shot.
Team: B. Hayes, A. Vernon, R. Cooper, V.Vincent, J. Arnold (S. Parker), A. Meredew, D. Orchard, O. Clayton, K. Spyers (J. Avery), K. Stacey, C. Perry (T. Hall)