The Buildbase F.A. Vase 3rd Round Proper (Saturday 30th November 2019)
Hamworthy United: O King, D Randall, J Filkins (C Munn 70), H Cooper, C Cocklin, T Rolls, O Davis, L Francis (c) (B Randall 60), F Saadi, D Cann, A Pope.
Unused Subs: R Watkins, D.Malik
Goals: O Davis
Hamworthy United faced one of the hot favourites to win the Vase, in Plymouth Parkway. They are 2nd in the Toolstation Premier League having only lost once, and drawn once so far this season. Due to some players being cup-tied or unavailable, the Hammers' were without four of their usual squad members for this game. Tony Rolls however was able to play despite still recovering from a broken nose.
In a fast paced game, both teams created early chances, before the visitors drew first blood in the 6th minute. Hamworthy had given the ball away cheaply in midfield, before an accurate cross-field pass found Jordan Copp in space on the left. The Plymouth man's superb first time diagonal strike from 20 yards found the far corner of the net giving Ollie King no chance. Parkway now started take hold of the game; United's Jamie Filkins did well to charge down a fierce shot from Jack Calver for a corner. Parkway continued to look the slightly more threatening team.
On 28 minutes an intelligent ball forward by Copp put Adam Carter in the clear. His shot from the edge of the penalty area struck the right post before going out for a goal kick. Two minutes later the Hammers created their first real chance. Fawzi Saadi's high ball across the pitch caught the Parkway defence out with the bounce, and released Ash Pope out on the left. Unfortunately he could only fire into the side netting from a difficult angle. With Hamworthy now playing much better football, they were back on level terms on 32 minutes. Saadi swept the ball out to Ollie Davis in space out on the right. The United man, who was having an inspired game, ran forward at pace, before releasing a powerful low strike across the face of the goal, and into the net in off the far post. The visitors though were clearly not happy with award of the goal, claiming that the move had started from a throw-in on the opposite side of the pitch that should have been theirs.
There were to be no further major chances before the half time whistle. United had matched their opponents well over the first period, and apart from the actual goals neither keeper had to make a serious save. Parkway though had just edged the game so far on chances. They also tended to play the more direct football, and in doing so made United chase the game
It was Hamworthy who created the first chance after the restart. Saadi, despite not getting the cleanest of connections, shot just over the bar from close range in the 49th minute. However 6 minutes later, the game took a big swing in Parkway's favour. From a move started in midfield, Hamworthy allowed the visitors far too much space. Man of the Match Copp was eventually found free on the right edge of the penalty area. He went easily past his marker who offered little resistance, before his shot beat King at his near post.
Two minutes later Plymouth heaped more misery on their hosts. With United now pushing up, Parkway exploited the space and pushed the ball on to Copp. He once again weaved past his man before his exquisite shot from 25 yards curled into the top left corner of the net and complete a well deserved hat trick. Although the Parkway were now in control, they did take their foot off the pedal a little. This allowed United to come close to reducing the deficit. Ash Pope picked up a long clearance deep into Plymouth territory. He drew out and rounded the keeper, but despite having the goal at his mercy could only find the side netting of a gaping goal albeit from another tight angle.
Hamworthy were the more dominant side in the last 20 minutes, but any hope of a comeback was dashed with seven minutes to go. Following a quick break Rosenquest stung the hands of King as he pushed the ball away. However it went straight to Copp who tucked it away from close range for his, and his team’s 4th goal. Parkway easily saw out time for their deserved win, but the final score line did not do the Hammers justice. Apart from the ability to take their chances, there was little between the teams. However Parkway's extra strength and experience proved critical, and it was always going to be tough for the hosts to find a way back after conceding that soft second goal.
