HT Score: 5-0
Hamworthy Scorers: Guthrie, Steer (x3), Francis, Cocklin
Hamworthy Team: S Jones, J Filkins (P Smith 45), J Gleeson (B Randall 45), H Cooper (C Beard 60), D Randall (R Watkins 45), D Dyer, H White (N Patrick 45, L Francis 70), L Francis (T Rolls 45), J Guthrie (C Cocklin 45), D Cann (J Guthrie 70), M Steer (S Roushbairi 45)
United were playing their last friendly home game against their Chapel Gate based opponents, who have now merged with Parley and will be entering the Dorset Premier League this coming season. In the past both Clubs had been regular opponents in the old Dorset Combination League prior United's step-up to Wessex Premier football for the 04/05 campaign. With the Hammers now playing two leagues above their opponents, a comfortable win was expected for the hosts. Boss Alan Lay however would no doubt use the opportunity to utilise and assess his large squad before the serious league business gets underway next week.
First half full of goals
The match soon went to script, with the visitors giving their all but the Hammers dominating in all departments, and keeping the ball well. It did however take until 19 minutes to find a way past the Sports' resolute defence, a measured ball from ex-Wimborne man Lee Francis finding James Guthrie in space for a decent finish just inside the far post.
Only three minutes later Matt Steer doubled the lead, converting a loose ball at the far post, following a long low cross by Francis. On 31 minutes the Hammers bagged a third goal, with Francis yet again the architect, threading the ball forward to Matt Steer. He easily drilled the ball home past the hopelessly exposed Sports' stopper Nathan Goulding. A minute later United netted a fourth, Lee Francis with his back to goal, cleverly dinking the ball over the line from a teasing corner by Steer. On 42 minutes the hosts made it five, Dan Cann improvised well before a deft touch to Matt Steer. He finished with a neat chip into the far top corner of the net to complete his hat-trick. The visitors to their credit had continued to battle and at last did find the target on the stroke of half time, but Ben Bosley's effort was easily held by Hamworthy’s new signing ex-Poppy stopper Sam Jones.
The Hammers made seven substitutions at the interval, but, despite the fresh legs, curiously looked a bit more laboured in front of goal. Pepe Smith fired just over the bar early on. The visitors were then indebted to the busy Goulding, having an inspired match, for holding onto Brandon Randall's point blank shot between his legs. This followed a precision low cross by Cann. The visiting keeper proved his worth again on 73 minutes beating out an angled low shot by Guthrie, and then reacting well to block Francis's follow-up. In fact it took until 88 minutes for United to finally score again, Connor Cocklin completely out-jumped his defender to head Francis's well flighted free kick into the top far corner of the net. Bournemouth Sports, punching well above their weight, deserve credit for keeping their heads up after the interval and stemming the flow of goals. For both clubs, the match presented an opportunity for a good work out and appraisal of their players, this being far more important than the result.
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