DORSET PREMIER LEAGUE
SATURDAY 29TH AUGUST 2026
VERWOOD TOWN 1 HAMWORTHY UNITED RESERVES 6

A ravaged squad emerged after late notices of absences due to domestic, work related and injuries meaning an influx of a new faces and several positional changes for the fixture. Nonetheless we cobbled a side together to face a buoyant Ham Utd. Pope, Craciun, Kerr and Knott made themselves available despite carrying knocks from last Saturday.

HU cut through a defence still settling that buckled after 4 minutes giving a gap in the box for HU to go ahead 0-1.

It was total disarray and inevitably gave way for HU to net a second after 9 minutes following a high ball into the box and a clear run for an unmarked player to put the ball past Andrews. 0-2

11 - Discipline gone let in a runner 0-3.

A rare attack forced a corner and after a scramble, Pope stole in to put the ball in the net 1-3.

We rallied slightly for Craciun to cut in from the left to have a shot on goal. Typical of the day the ball finished up in Ringwood.

McKinlay looked like the Lone Ranger up front but still managed a coupe of shots, one kicked off the line but only to watch the others go wide.

20 minutes and a crowded box finished with a half clearance landing on the edge of the area ideally placed for a HU player to volley past Andrews. 1-4.

Kerr suffered a series of fouls and on 32 minutes a deserved Red Card flourished taking HU down to ten men.

We were in another discipline lapse on 46 minutes and while waiting for the whistle let in HU for a nap hand. 1-5.

Half Time. 1-5

Pope’s illness forced our skipper to give way at half time giving Barnwell a run.

To make matter s worse Andrews had been suffering a hand problem from a collision on the post half way through the half, and had another collision early in the second half going for a ball from a corner. The game was held up while treatment was given Decision had to be Kerr taking over the gloves and Andrews getting further treatment in the dug out. Sadly we later learned he had broken 5th Metacarpal meaning a 6/8 week bench.

HU down to ten men and we still trying to find our feet with a score at 1-5. !!!

Quality of play deteriorated even further. A scrappy rest of 90 minutes followed with HU gifted a 6th as he whistle blew on full time.

Result 1-6