Dorset Premier League (Friday19-09-08)

This was a much better display by a strengthened Reserve Team that included some first team squad players. The first half was fairly even with some entertaining end to end play. Hamworthy had Wayne Robbins playing his first game in goal since his transfer from Swanage. This together with the experienced Steve Gilbert gave them a bit more stability in defence than of late. A clash of heads early in the game saw Crispin Riggler and Mark Seal both having to leave the field, with the former having to go to hospital with a suspected broken nose. Both team were unable to take their chances before the break and a 0-0 scoreline was a fair reflection of the game up to that point.
It was Hamworthy who finally opened the scoring when new signing Martin Warren hooked in a cross from the right to score a well taken goal. The Hammers were then guilty of sitting back on their lead, and were made to pay for it when the Rec took full advantage to level the scores. United fielding several youngsters who had played the previous night began to tire as the second half went on. This allowed the visitors to score two more late goals including an own goal to give them in the end a deserved win.

Team: W, Robbins,M. Seal (S. Griffiths), S. Coakes, G. Horlock (A. Powell), S. Gilbert, M. Wynne. M. Glavin, R. McCabe, M. Warren,S. Lanahan, A. Tilsed (A. Davis)

F.A. Vase 2nd Qualifying Round (Saturday 20-09-08)
The Hammers thoroughly deserved to go through to the next round of the Vase following this convincing, but often difficult tie. The Toolstation Western Premier League side lost their composure towards the end of the game, and had their Goalkeeper sent off as they were leaving the field. Radstock were given seven yellow, and two red cards in total against Hamworthy United’s two yellow cards. This in it’s self tells a story
The surface was good, but the pitch sloped two ways both lengthways, and across. This you would think must favour the home side, who were used to playing on it. Hamworthy began the match kicking down the slope, and very quickly took the lead. Lee Thomas after harassing the tall Radstock central defender into a corner was on the receiving end of a two footed tackle, as another defender came sliding in. The tackle in the first two minutes led to a yellow card being shown, and Lee having to come off shortly afterwards. A minute later a pin point cross from Stuart Cannie found Warren Byerley poaching at the far post. The in form striker rifled the ball into the net for the first of his thee goals. United as you would expect kicking down hill continued to look the more dangerous of the two teams, and doubled their lead in the twenty fifth minute. Warren Byerley was again on hand to take full advantage of some poor defending, and slide the ball into the corner of the net. Seven minutes later Stuart Cannie took on, and beat his right back before crossing the ball hard, and low into the box. Substitute Mark Claremont beat his defender before smashing the ball into the roof of the net to make it three without reply. Radstock did pull one back however before half time. They made the most of a poor clearance that ended up at the feet of their best player James Billing who gave Martin Peters no chance to make it 3-1 at the break.
Radstock as you would expect came out hard after the break, and with the slope in their favour, forced United to defend for long periods. Some good defending and some poor finishing however meant that despite all the pressure Martin Peters never really had to make a difficult save. Hamworthy gradually weathered the storm, and began to hit the Home side on the break. One of these breaks led to the Miners six foot five central defender pulling down Mark Claremont, and perhaps being harshly sent off as he did not look to be the last defender. Warren Byerley got his hat-trick with five minutes remaining. He kept his head kept slotted the ball past the keeper after being put through one on one. The game finished with several disgruntled Radstock players surrounding the Referee.
Hamworhy now go on to meet Barnstaple away in the next round.

Team: M. Peters , K. Yelland, R. Jackson,O. Cherrett, N. Walker (Capt). M. Crow, T. Constable, M. Dancer, L. Thomas (M. Claremont), W. Byerley, S. Cannie. Unused Subs: R. Norris, W. Robbins, S. Lanahan.

Bashley 2 Hamworthy United 3 (aet)

Wednesday evening saw our South West Counties team take on a strong Bashley side in the FA Youth cup.
Both teams started very strongly and it took just 20 min for Bashley to have there first chance, Tom Rees saw a looping volley hit the bar then post and luckily bounce out before Jack Smith cleared.
11 minuets later the Hammers took the lead when Dean Macklin passed the ball through for Lewis Williams, once he’d out paced the the defence he confidently slid the ball past the oncoming keeper to make it 1-0.
The game stayed like that until the half time whistle with both teams finding their opposing keepers in fine form.
The second half again was started with a fast pace with Dean Macklin and Lewis Williams both going close but finding no way through.
Bashley equalized in the 50th minute when a shot was tipped onto the bar by keeper Tom Rees only to fall at the feet of their front man whose shot was just over the line.
As the final whistle approached two substitutes, Sam Lanahan and Luke Pidgley were brought on, and it took just 12 minuets for Luke Pidgley to make his mark as he slotted the home from 10 yards in the 92 minuet of extra time.
In the 95th minute, Lewis Williams was replaced by the up and coming Danny Gale.
And again it took just 5 minuets for Danny Gale to try and finish the game as he turned his marker to fire home from 10 yards to make it 3-1.
In the 100th minute of extra time the Hammers found themselves down to 10 men as Ritchie Norris was harshly sent off for two bookable offences.
As the game drew to a close Bashley applied the pressure and it paid off when they bundled home a free kick to make it 3-2.
Despite all the pressure and being down to 10 men, The Hammers stood firm as they defended with all they had.
There was huge relief when the referee blew for full time, and the Hammers celebrated going into the next round of the FA youth cup.

Sydenhams Wessex Premier League (Wednesday 17-09-08)
Hamworthy United players , managers and supporters could not believe how they lost this game, and were in shock at the close. They dominated the match from start to finish. The visitors had two shots on target albeit very good ones, and scored with both. It was a different story for the home side however having peppered the Lymington goal relentlessly, especially in the second half, only to end up with nothing at the finish.
The Hammers took the game to Lymington right from the start, and seemed well in command, that is until the Town scored from their very first attack. Jack Wilkinson collected the ball on the right hand side of the penalty box before cleverly cutting inside, and shooting past Martin Peters, who was given no chance to save. United continued to have the upper hand throughout the remainder of the first half restricting Lymington to the odd break. Lee Thomas, and Warren Byerley were looking dangerous, but were unable to finish off their often excellent approach work.
United continued in the second half where they left off the first, and should have been back on equal terms within two minutes of the restart. The usually dependable Warren Byerley was left one on one with the Lyminton Keeper, but this time hesitated too long and the chance had gone. From the very next attack Richard Jackson cut in from the left and unleashed a shot that looked a certain goal. Jon Page playing his first game for the visitors dived to make the save of the night, and pushed the ball out for a corner. It was nearly all one way traffic now with the Lymington defence well led by Captain Craig Vigor, doing exceptionally well to contain United. Right against the run of play Hamworthy fell further behind. Following a quick break the Town were given a free kick out on the far right wing. From the resulting cross Dave Midgley hit an unstoppable shot back past Martin Peters, and into the top of the net to make it 2-0. United to their credit continued to try and get something out of the game, and lay siege to the Lymington goal for the rest of the match. They continued to have numerous chances, but every time the ball was saved, or hit something, or someone, and would not go in the net. The fact that Hamworthy was so much on top was demonstrated at one point near the end when they had six corners on the trot, none of which were they able to convert. Lyminton must take a lot of credit from the game for the way they defended and took their chances when they came, but that was no consolation for the Hammers who could not believe that they had lost this game.

Team: M. Peters, K.Yelland,M. Grimason, S. Gilbert, N. Walker (Capt), R. McCabe, T. Constable, M. Dancer, L. Thomas (M. Claremont), W. Byerley, R. Jackson. Unused Subs: G. Horlock, M. Glavin. M. Clarke.

South West Counties Youth League (Saturday 13-09-08)

On Saturday the South West Counties team were away to Broadway Academy.
After a slow start by both teams, the Hammers upped the pace and had their first chance when Connor Budden delivered a great ball to Lewis Williams who saw his shot come off the post.
Soon after, Broadway struggled to clear a Luke Pidgley corner, and Ross Hampton – Browns shot was cleared off the line.
Our next attack again came from a Connor Budden cross after some good work down the right, Lewis Williams got ahead of the defender, only to be denied by the keepers feet.
2min before half time Broadway delivered a corner which was met in the air by their left midfielder to produce the first and only goal of the game.
The last 10min saw the Hammers apply some pressure, but could mot find a way through.
The game finished 1-0 to Broadway Academy, but we had a lot of positives to take away from the game.

Team From: T.Rees, D.O’Reilly, J.Smith, J.Cole, S.Fox, T.Holden, R,Hampton-Brown, S.Lanahan, C.Budden, L.Williams, L.Pidgley.
SUBS: J.Baising, S.Walton, S.Phillips.

Dorset Premier League (Saturday 13-09-08)
(Some extracts taken from the Premier League website)

Hamworthy were handicapped from the start having to play without a recognised Keeper. Wayne Robbins transfer had not gone through in time for him to play and so Manager Richard Flowers had to take over.
Cranborne recorded their first win of the season when they defeated their visitors from Hamworthy United 5-2. The Cranes had a great first half going in at the break 5-1 up with their goals coming from James Antell with four and one from Ollie Hepworth. The Hammers did made the score a little more respectable with their second goal midway through the second half. This win hoists the Cranes into tenth place while the Hammers stay at the foot of the table. Both of the Hammers goals were scored by Darren Orchard.

Team: R.Flowers, M. Seal, S.Coakes, M. Glavin, A. Powell (J. Crossin), D. Orchard, M. Wynne, S. Lanahan, R. Norris, A. Tilsed Unused Sub: D. Spires

F.A. Cup First Qualifying Round (Saturday 13-09-08)

Phil Simkin had done his homework on Taunton, and it certainly paid dividends for his Wessex League side. They always had a slight edge on their British Gas Southern League opponents over the ninety minutes. Hamworthy were without five of their normal squad. Stewart Cannie and Ryan Dovell were both suspended, Richard Jackson was unavailable, Michael Dean was injured, and Mat Grimason was sick, which made the win all the better. The Hammers this season have a bigger, and more experienced squad, and this made the problem less than it would have been in previous years.
United were the livelier of the two sides at the start, and were soon into their stride
creating the first chance three minutes into the game. A good passing move down the left had the Town defence at full stretch, but the shot at the end of the move was easily saved by the visiting keeper. Lee Thomas’s pace up front was giving the Taunton back four problems, and he was ably assisted by Warren Byerley who’s ability to hold up the ball was at times invaluable. The midfield was very tight with both sets of players evenly matched in that position. The Hammers broke the deadlock five minutes before the interval with a well worked goal that started deep in their own half. Following a Taunton attack, Ollie Cherrett brought the ball out of defence, and found Tim Constable out wide on the left with a superb forty yard cross field pass. The United midfielder brought the ball down before making a pin point cross that found Lee Thomas in the six yard box who found the back of the net with a great header to complete the move. Hamworthy’s lead lasted just two minutes when Town striker Alex Pounde headed home a corner to make the score 1-1 at the break.
The Hammers as in the first half started the better of the two sides, and soon restored their lead. Lee Thomas was put through one on one with the keeper, and did well to keep his head before drawing the keeper out, and knocking the ball past him into the net to make it 2-1. The Peacocks thought they had equalised, but the Assistant Referee had his flag raised for offside long before the ball entered the net. Ollie Cherret was forced out of the game by a nasty elbow to the face which left him dazed, and bloodied, but luckily for the offender it was not noticed by any of the officials. The Hamworthy defence was well marshalled by Nathan Walker, and they never gave Taunton a clear cut chance to get back into the game, despite some late pressure from the Somerset side. It was the Hammers who deservedly went through to the next round at the end of the game following a good team performance.

Team: M.Peters, K. Yelland, O. Cherret ( G. Horlock), N. Walker (Capt), S. Gilbert, M. Crowe, M. Dancer, R. McCabe, T. Constable, L. Thomas (M. Claremont) W. Byerley

The Reserves found themselves on the wrong end of a 3-0 defeat against a team that was managed by their last season’s Manager, and contained several ex-Hammers. The Swans opened the scoring in the twenty fourth minute with a well taken goal into the top corner of the net for which the Home keeper could do very little. He was beaten again seven minutes later by a shot that took a deflection before going in to make it 2-0 at the break.
Any chance Hamworthy had of rescuing the game soon disappeared when ex-Hammer Jamie Holland converted a cross at the near post just a minute after the restart. United had their chances to reduce the arrears, but a combination of poor finishing and good defending prevented this. The Hammers did think they had scored just before the end, but the goal was disallowed for offside. Swanage were also unable to add to their score line and the game finished with the Visitors comfortable winners.
Team: L.Wines. M.Seal, C. Miles, S. Griffiths, M. Glavin, A. Powell, D. Spires (C.Khinder), M. Wynne, D. Orchard, G.Clarke, A. Tilsed (S.Coakes).
Unused Sub R. Flower.

F.A.Vase First Qualifying Round (Saturday 06-09-08)

Luckily the Hammers were rewarded for the long five hour coach trip down to Penryn with a win, which made the trip back to Dorset that much more bearable. The squad which Phil Simkin had to choose from was considerably reduced with Stuart Cannie suspended, and Steve Gilbert, Ryan Dovell and Michael Dean not available for selection. This gave the chance for Lee Thomas to start the game up front along side Warren Byerley. The game was played on a perfect pitch voted the third best in levels 6&7 of the FA Pyramid in the country.
The first thirty minutes of the game saw the Hammers having just the edge in a fairly even opening spell. In the twenty ninth minute Richard Jackson was denied a goal, first of all by the post, and then shortly afterwards by a brilliant save by the Penryn Keeper. Six minutes before half time United deservedly took the lead when Warren Byerley headed home a Tim Constable corner.
Penryn had their best spell of the game following the break, and should have been back on level terms just two minutes after the restart, but they just shot wide. Following some excellent inter-passing in mid-field Warren Byerley was put through one on one with the Penryn Keeper. The normally reliable striker hesitated this time, and the ball was pushed round the post for a corner by the Keeper. Mark Claremont was brought on for Lee Thomas, and a purple patch followed for the Hammers. They really dominated the play for about fifteen minutes with good movement and passing from the back right through to the two strikers. This created several chances none of which unfortunately were taken The tricky Mark Claremont was brought down in the box after seventy one minutes, and the Referee had no hesitation in awarding the penalty. Penalty taker Warren Byerley stepped up to put the ball confidently past the Keeper for his, and the Hammers second goal of the game. Penryn had their Central Defender sent off shortly before the end of play, but Hamworthy were unable to capitalize on it, and get the third goal they probably deserved over the full ninety minutes.
Hamworthy thoroughly deserved their win and now go on to meet Radstock Town
away. At the time of writing they lie second in the Toolstation Western Premier League, but they lost to Brislington in the FA Cup who the Hammers beat in the following round.

Team: M.Peters, M. Crow, M. Grimason, O. Cherrett, N. Walker, T. Constable, Mark Dancer(K. Yelland), R. McCabe, L. Thomas(M. Claremont), W. Byerley, R. Jackson. Unused Subs: G. Horlock. J. Cole 

Dorset Premier League (Saturday 30-08-08)
Report with extracts from From The Dorset Premier League Website
The Reserves faced their second difficult away match in a week. This trip to Wincanton followed a similar one to League favourites Portland United last week. Lee Thomas and Greg Horlock were missing from the team that drew midweek against Sturminster Marshall, both being called into the first team squad. The experienced Darren Orchard was also not available for selection.
Wincanton Town moved up into fourth place in the League following their 4-1 win against their visitors from Hamworthy United Reserves. Wincanton went in front after 20 minutes with a goal from Steve Bendall and they went two up just before half time with a goal from Matt Peters. Two more goals followed in the second period through Chris Pullen and a penalty conversion from Brad Peters. The Hammers did score a consolation goal scored by Michael Glavin just after the break. This defeat leaves United at the foot of the table.
Hamworthy will be only too pleased to get these two away games out of the way so that they can concentrate on perhaps picking up points against some of the lesser sides.
Team: M. Trevor, M. Seal, C. Miles, G. Clarke (S. Coaks), M. Glavin, A. Powell (L. Williams) D. Spires, M. Wynne, S. Lee-Whaley, M. Warren, A. Tilsed. Unused  Sub L. Wines.