Hamworthy United Reserves 1 Dorchester Sports 6
Dorset Premier League (Saturday 18-12-21)
It was to both Club’s credit that this fixture took place at all, with both teams having to make changes due to the Covid situation and injuries. Dorchester had three regulars out with United having to make even more changes to their line up, and against one of the more successful teams in the league.
The young Hammers started as they have done a lot in many of their recent games very much on the front foot, and taking the game to the opposition with some good flowing football. They could have been four up in the first twenty minutes. The best of those chances fell to Joe Wearden one on one with the keeper, only for the Dorchester man make an outstanding save, a feat he was going to repeat on more than one occasion as the game developed. Unfortunately, and totally against the run of play the visitors; as has happened all too often in the past, Sports were gifted a goal. The Reserves’ defence had pushed up too far and got caught by a long ball out, putting Dorchester in on goal. Isaac Storey attempted to clear the situation, but unluckily sliced the ball into his own net to give the visitors a one nil lead they did not deserve at that stage. Disaster struck again for the Hammers shortly after. This time keeper Lucas Barringer and centre-half Joey Towers had a mix up between themselves that left louis Hankin an open goal to shoot at, and double the lead. The visitors were now lifted and now very much on top, scoring two further goals before the break. The hosts left the field somewhat shell-shocked by the score line, whilst the Sports could not have believed their luck to be that far in front at this stage of the game.
H/T 0-4
Hamworthy were forced to make a change at the break when Archie Pollard had to take over from centre-half Towers, who was having breathing difficulties after recently recovering from Covid. United again started this half as they did in the first; very brightly and playing some good passing football. In the 53rd minute they pulled a goal back when Kai McCrow did well to finish off a good Alfie Matthews cross, and open the scoring for the Hammers. However, any hope of perhaps cutting the lead back further ended when Dorchester restored their four-goal lead, scoring in the 65th minute. To add salt to the wound Sports added a fifth goal with time running out when Alex Godfrey completed his hat-trick. The game was a lot closer than the score suggests. These young Hammers; many of whom are good players for their age will have to learn that the game is played over ninety minutes not a half hour. Also, that what they could get away with at under 18 level they will not do so at the level they are playing at now. Manager Mike Wearden is doing a fine, but difficult job, and it will take time for him to get his team playing the way he wants them to. So, patience and perhaps a bit of encouragement all round will I’m sure pay dividends in the end, as these young players develop, and that is the whole idea of this Reserve Team.
F/T 1-6
Hamworthy United; L. Barringer, L. Delves, R. Cawley, J. Towers (A. Pollard 45), G. Haynes, A. Matthews K. McCrow, L. Middlewick , E. Quarchioni (J. Cornick 75), I, Storey, J. Wearden.