BRIDGWATER TOWN 3 HAMWORTHY UNITED 1

Bridgwater Town are through to the second qualifying round of the F.A.Cup but were made to work hard for their victory by Hamworthy United from the Sydenhams Wessex League in front of a crowd of 249 last Saturday.
On a warm sunny September afternoon it was Hamworthy who made the brighter start as they penned Bridgwater back in the first 12 minutes.Price was soon into action as Hamworthy broke down the left and only his saving tackle prevented an early Hamworthy goal.
Next,keeper Sam Hutchins pulled off a great save diving to his right to keep out a goal bound effort from Hamworthy's Jack Swann.
Town began to get their passing game together and gradually came more into the game. Mercieca had two half chances but was off target on both occasions and Pepperell was starting to worry the Hamworthy defence with his mazey runs as Town started to get the upper hand.
After a succession of corners Town went ahead in the 20th minute when Pepperell took a corner from the left.The ball eluded everyone and found it's way into the net.
Hamworthy came straight back at Bridgwater and from a cross from the left,Hutchins could only palm the ball straight at Dovell who's shot was cleared off the line by Matt Pitcher.
The equaliser came in the 23rd minute when Bridgwater were awarded a free kick out on the left. Inexplicably the ball was passed inside straight to an eager Hamworthy player who gleefully set up Stuart Cannie who gave Hutchins no chance from 10 yards.
Pepperell then set up the marauding Price who shot wide and the game swung back Bridgwater's way.
Hamworthy's cause was hampered in the 37th minute when following a fifty fifty tackle in the midfield by Kirk,James Merritt was rightly sent off for stamping on his opponent.
Town went back on the attack and Price whipped a cross to the far post but Young headed just over.Town could have retaken the lead when Pepperell set up Ben Kirk but he shot straight at Roberts in the Hamworthy goal and then in the last action of the half Kirk headed over from another Pepperell corner.
Town came out for the second half in very determined mood and penned Hamworthy back in their own half for long periods as the extra man started to tell.Orchard and then Mercieca both went close.In making a save Roberts was injured and Hamworthy had to bring on substitute keeper Adam Tonge and he was soon in action keeping out another Orchard effort.Young then broke clear and only desperate defending kept Bridgwater out and the scoreline level.
In the 61st minute Town got the goal they deserved as a cross from the right by Pepperell was superbly headed home by Jamie Price arriving late from the left.
The combination of Price and Pepperell was causing all sorts of problems for the overworked Hamworthy defence but poor finishing and Tonge kept Bridgwater out.
With the scoreline so close Hamworthy were still in the game as the substitutions started to disrupt the game.Thomas,Duharty and Robertson replaced Pepperell,Mercieca and O'Donnell as the heat started to tell.Hamworthy also used up their full quota of subs.
Town reestablished their slick passing game and this brought further chances to make the game safe. Orchard beat Tonge but his shot was cleared off the line and his follow up was saved by the busy keeper.Tonge then won a one on one race for the ball as Price burst through and Thomas and Duharty both had half chances. Jamie Laird,now playing at left back joined the attack and sent in a low cross from the left which Thomas just failed to convert.
Bridgwater then had a scare at the other end when in a rare Hamworthy break away the ball was hammered past Hutchins and into the net but referee Adam Matthews, from Stroud,who had an excellent game, spotted an infringement and the goal was disallowed.
In the 85th minute the dangerous Thomas was brought down just inside the area. Marcus Duharty's penalty though was easily saved by the busy Tonge.
Town finally got their third and made the game safe in the 90th minute when Thomas beat two men before calmly slotting the ball home from 15 yards.
Town fully deserved their win but full credit must be given to Hamworthy United who fought all the way and were in the game right up to the last minute.
Bridgwater Town are indebted to match sponsor Bill Monteith, Match ball sponsors The Smith Family and Programme sponsor Roger L. Palmer.