Match Reports by John Hutchings

22.8.26. Sturminster Newton United 2 Hamworthy Recreation 2

A goal four minutes from time earned Rec a point, in the Dorset derby, with Stur Newton. In fact, a point was the least Rec deserved. After a lack-lustre first half which saw them trail by one goal at the break, acting manager, Ryan Andress, made a bold change to a 4-5-1 system for the second half, which proved successful, with Rec equalising early on. They then failed to press home the advantage, when on top and paid the price when the hosts went ahead again, on 77m. But that late goal salvaged a point. The first half saw Rec look the better side, early on, but not creating any chances and Stur came into the game, with the dangerous Hart heading a decent chance over the bar, before Hall’s shot suffered the same fate.

But on 33m, the Cherries, in their first season in Wessex Premier, took the lead. Hall set up Jackson-Collis, whose shot was beaten away by Rec keeper, Shane Murphy, with the ball eventually falling for HART to fire in, off the post, for 1-0 at HT.

The change of formation sparked more life into Rec and they equalised on 51m. Midfielder, Aaron Roberts, playing his 100th game for the club showed good control inside the area and tried his luck - his shot bouncing past Crane, in the home goal, for 1-1. Ollie Davies’ free-kick was then saved by Crane, before Tyler Rudd chased a seemingly lost cause, but won the ball and shot inches past the far post, as Rec looked the more likely side. Rudd was unlucky again, when he burst into the box and crashed his shot against the post, before Sean Wright saw his header saved.

On 77m and against the run of play, Stur re-took the lead. Rec switched off as a long throw found LANEY, who cleverly hooked the ball beyond Murphy, to score, what looked likely to be the winner. But Rec came again, with Chris Long heading a cross wide, before, on 86m the same player did well to guide the ball to DAVIES to fire past Crane. Rec went for the winner and nearly got it when Jake Dove’s cross found debutant, Harrison Taylor, only for him to blaze over the bar.

FT 2-2. A point for Rec, but it could have been three with better finishing.

11.8.26. Brockenhurst 1 Hamworthy Recreation 4

After a defeat in the FA Cup the previous Saturday Rec needed to get back on track at local rivals, Brockenhurst - and they certainly did, with an excellent performance and a resounding 4-1 victory. After an even start, Rec took control mid-way through the first half and scored twice. A third followed early in the second and despite Brock pulling one back, Rec immediately added a fourth, to run out deserved winners. To their credit, Brock never let their heads drop and had chances of their own, but the Rec defence, with Lewis McMurdo and keeper, Shane Murphy outstanding, held firm.

The Badgers looked to attack down the flanks and Bullard’s cross caused danger before being cleared. For Rec, Tyler Rudd sent Chris Long away, on the left, but his shot was over the bar. Then, Long’s turn and shot was beaten away by Valero, in the home goal, with the keeper then denying Bailey Rowe with the follow up. Rec were getting on top and went close when Ollie Davies’ low cross just eluded Long. But they took the lead, on 29m, when Aaron Roberts was felled, in the area, for a penalty. Up stepped BAILEY ROWE to smash his spot-kick to Valero’s right, for 0-1.

The ever-dangerous LONG was then unlucky with a right-footed shot, saved by Valero, but he was not to be denied on 38m, when he burst down the left and unleashed a powerful, low shot into the far corner, for number two. Brock rallied and missed a good chance when Rec keeper, Murphy made a vital save, to deny Bullard

HT 0-2.

Rec went close again, when Rowe’s 25 yarder flew inches wide. Rudd was causing problems for the home defence and his jinking run won a corner, on 58m, from which McMURDO rose highest, to thump in a header, for 0-3. Rec were looking impressive and Long’s cross just eluded a green shirt, before the Rec striker was unlucky, with a header, just over the bar.

On 79m Brock scored a consolation, when the visiting defence failed to clear, but home hopes of a comeback were dashed, just two minutes later, when SEAN WRIGHT crashed in an unstoppable header, from another corner. There was still time for Murphy to show his class, with two brilliant saves - diving to his right to push away a booming volley and then clawing away the ball, from under the bar, from the resulting corner.

FT 1-4.

Credit to both sides for a thoroughly entertaining match, played in good spirit - a good advert for Wessex League football.

8.8.26. FA Cup. Devizes Town 1 Hamworthy Recreation 0

No FA Cup run for Rec this year, as they bowed out at the first hurdle. Devizes looked a very capable side and were better in all departments. Rec struggled to get into their stride and never really threatened a strong home defence. In fact, they never had a shot on target all game - something that is rarely said about Rec! From the off Devizes were in lively form, with Baker going close with a curling shot, hitting the post. Rec keeper, Shane Murphy, then rushed from his goal to clear, with his head, before Baker, again had a shot deflected for a corner.

The hosts were in the ascendency and Bowyer was next to test the Rec defence - Murphy pushing his shot away, for a corner. It was from that corner they took the lead, on 22m. Murphy punched the ball away, which resulted in a scramble, with the ball falling nicely for DEMKIV to drill in, from close-range. Devizes pushed for a second and Murphy had to be quick to deny Swann, before Baker fell foul of the offside flag. For Rec, Tyler Rudd’s long throw found Chris Long, whose header was cleared. HT 1-0.

The second half started in similar fashion, with Walter, for the hosts, having his shot saved, before Thompson’s run and cross created a chance for the impressive Parsons, only to be denied by a great save from Murphy. Rec then came into the game more and had a spell of pressure, without really creating any chances. The closest they came was Long’s header sailing just wide and Henry Barham’s cross easily collected by Hotine, in the home goal.

But the best chance saw Lewis McMurdo nod the ball to the far post, where Bailey Rowe just failed to get a touch and in fact, Devizes could have added to their lead, but for another fine save from Rec Man of the Match, Shane Murphy.

FT 1-0.

5.8.26. Sherborne Town 1 Hamworthy Recreation 1

A goal by Ash Pope, three minutes into stoppage time salvaged a point for Rec, in an entertaining game at Sherborne. In fact, a point was the least Rec deserved. They edged the first half, but couldn’t score, because of wayward finishing and a solid defensive performance by the home side. Sherborne took an early second half lead, but Rec then put them under constant pressure, but were denied by the Zebra’s back four and keeper Jack Marshall, who made some vital saves. Rec started on the front foot, with Tyler Rudd and Aaron Roberts catching the eye, in midfield. Lewis McMurdo headed just wide, from a corner and Henry Barham burst into the box and passed when a shot seemed the better option. The closest they came was Ollie Davies’ shot tipped over by home keeper, Marshall- the first of many. But it was Sherborne who had the best chance, when Hebberd outpaced the Rec defence, only to be denied by a fine save from Rec stopper, Shane Murphy. HT 0-0. Sherborne started the second half well, with Herrin having his overhead attempt saved, before Alex Murphy was beaten to the ball by the alert Rec keeper.

But on 51m the Zebra’s took the lead. ALEX MURPHY ran on to a long ball and hit a delightful, first-time lob, over his namesake, to put the hosts one up. Rec came storming back and Rudd’s dangerous cross was headed out for a corner, Roberts drew a good save from Marshall and Jake Dove fired over. They went close when Davies’ free-kick, from the edge of the area produced a great save from Marshall, diving to his left, only for the same player to be denied again, by the keeper,from point-blank range. It looked like it was going to be one of those nights, for Rec, with Davies, Stanley and Pope all blazing chances over the top, as Sherborne held on to their lead. But there was drama in stoppage time. First, on a rare venture forward, Herrin had a shot bounce off the Rec post, with Murphy beaten, but Rec went straight down the other end and Chris Long’s shot beat Marshall, rattled the bar and there was ASH POPE to bundle the ball over the line, to earn Rec a draw.

1.8.26. Millbrook 1 Hamworthy Recreation 2

A winning start to the season for Rec in this best of three at Millbrook. Rec were two up in the first 15 minutes and played some impressive football in the first half, but the hosts always looked capable of getting back into it and scored from a penalty, early in the second period. They then put Rec under pressure, but the defence held firm and in fact, Rec could have added to the scoreline, late on, but were often let down by the final ball. It was the perfect start to the new season for Rec, when, on 4m, they went in front. A neat move ended with TYLER RUDD drilling the ball in from just inside the area. Millbrook responded straight from the re-start and Rec were grateful to Henry Barham for a vital defensive header. Gorman, for the hosts, saw his turn and shot saved by Rec keeper, Shane Murphy.

After Chris Long had fried just wide Rec doubled the lead on 13m. New signing BAILEY ROWE finished off a neat move by weaving his way past four defenders and firing past Deacon, in the home goal, for a classy strike. Back came the hosts again and O’Connell’s 30 yarder smashed against the Rec bar and to safety.

Rec continued to threaten, with Long and Bailey Rowe having chances, before Drake’s effort for Millbrook was saved by Murphy. HT 0-2.

Millbrook pushed four men forward at the start of the second half and put Rec under pressure, which paid off on 55m when they won a penalty. Gorman was tripped in the box, which seemed a debatable decision, but up stepped GREENOUGH to smash in the spot-kick, for 1-2. The home side were now in the ascendency and Murphy made a great tip over from Batley, before claiming Drake’s dangerous cross. New Rec signing Isaac Stanley then cleared well, with Murphy off his line, before Greenhough’s close-range header cannoned back off the Rec bar. Eddie Hodge fired a Rec chance over the top, before O’Connell, for the hosts, beat two defenders and blazed over. Rec could have made it safe, late on, but Ash Pope was denied in a one on one with Deacon, as Rec held out for the points..

FT 1-2.