The Hamworthy Club
Magna Road
Canford Magna
Wimborne
Dorset
BH21 3AP
01202 881922
Ground Number: 1335
Sunday 18th August 2024
Hamworthy Recreation 1-2 Paulton Rovers
Hamworthy Recreation 1-2 Paulton Rovers
FA Cup Preliminary Round
HAMWORTHY RECREATION FC - A BRIEF HISTORY
Hamworthy Recreation Football Club was formed in 1948 as Hamworthy Engineering FC and played on the Sports Ground opposite the factory at Fleetsbridge in Poole (where the Tesco supermarket now stands). When the site at Fleetsbridge was sold to Tesco in the late 1980s the football, along with the Sports & Social Club, moved to its current home at Magna Road, Canford Magna. At that time, Hamworthy Engineering FC’ were playing in the Bournemouth League (Division 1). The 2000–01 season saw the Club change its name to Hamworthy Recreation FC to reflect the name of their current headquarters. In 1992, they joined the Dorset Premier League and won the title in three of their first four seasons. They never dropped below 5th and won the title ten times in all. With the ground now up to spec, they joined the Wessex Division 1 in 2022, finishing 4th in their first season. They then lost to New Milton Town in the playoffs. Last season, they won the title, securing 100 points and with it, promotion to the Wessex Premier. The club made their FA Vase debut in 2023. They beat Fawley, Bournemouth, Bovey Tracey, Fairford Town and Wells City before Jersey Bulls triumphed on penalties in the 4th Round.
MY VISIT
This game was an unexpected bonus for me but was one I really fancied going to. I'd spotted it and was disappointed that it started as I finished work. However, things worked out in the end. After a disappointing start to Sunday, forgetting my earbuds, it was an easy day at work. With stuff mainly done, I was offered an early finish. Knowing in advance I wanted to go to this game, I quickly got in contact with Colin who decided to come with me. This helped out with petrol although it was a bit further than I thought. I'd also be going in blind having done no research on the club or tie, but it was too good an opportunity to turn down. I left work a couple of minutes after ten. I'd been intending to wait for a while before filling up with petrol but with 90 miles in the tank, it needed replenishing for the journey. It was then a quick trip home to get changed and get a drink to take with me.
I picked Colin up at 10.50 as arranged and all appeared fine with a 12.53 arrival. Tight but we'd see kickoff. I'd already had problems with roadworks on the way to Colin, three separate sets by serial road pests JSM. Unusually, there was actually people working on them for once. However, things got rapidly worse and at one point, the arrival time was as grim as 13:37. The M25 was slow around Heathrow as you'd expect and then there was the M3 with speed restrictions for a large part. The real culprit though was further down the M3 and mainly the M27 which were severely congested. Google Maps saved us a bit of time, though a dawdling Ford Focus YT19MJA halted our progress as we diverted via Eastleigh. We rolled into the car park at 13:21 and with it absolutely rammed, I dumped my car on some double yellows by the entrance and headed for the ground as it was better than blocking someone in. We then headed in, the club were kind enough not to charge although I got a pint of Cold River cider and Colin bought a pin badge to put some money into the club.
Both teams sat at step 5 of the pyramid. Hamworthy Recreation sat 15th in the Wessex Premier. They had drawn 1-1 at both Cowes Sports and Wincanton Town so far In the previous round, they had won 2-0 at Portland United in what was their FA Cup debut. Paulton Rovers were seasoned FA Cup campaigners and they had beaten Bashley 2-1 to get this far. They sat 10th in the Western Premier. They'd won 2-1 at Shepton Mallet and beaten Nailsea and Tickenham 3-2. However, the'd lost 3-2 at Street and 2-0 to Barnstaple Town. We were told by a spectator that the game was 0-0 but we later found out that Paulton led thanks to a 6th minute goal by Kye Simpson, a fact that did not become apparent to us until the break. The first half that we saw was with the hosts edging it. The visitors improved in the second half. They doubled their lead on 71 minutes, Corey Rawlings following up after the shot hit the post. Hamworthy really only woke up for the final ten minutes. George Deem pulled one back from the penalty spot on 83 minutes. A sensational overhead kick nearly brought about an equaliser but it hit the inside of the post and came out. They had another shot cleared off the line and also shot narrowly wide at the death but it was not to be.
It had been a bumper attendance for the club and it was busy all around with several people enjoying the Sunday carvery and lots of other stuff going on. We chatted to the friendly photographer Robin who was great company. Despite the rush, the football part itself was very tranquil and was perfect after a difficult journey. We stopped at a nearby Tesco for a drink and a sarnie before getting on our way. The traffic situation was as poor as going down but with nothing to rush back for, it wasn't nearly as frustrating. The main culprit this time was the M3 and we headed back across Basingstoke and Reading to avoid the worst of it. I dropped Colin off at his just before 6 and was home 15 minutes later. I had plenty to do on my blog still and this would take most of the evening. Next up for me is a series of revisits with games at Holmer Green, Meridian Valley Park, Wycombe Wanderers and Tooting Bec over the next week.
THE GROUND
THE HAMWORTHY CLUB is a pleasant venue to see a game at. The ground itself is unremarkable, a small seated stand holding around 50 and a covered standing area the same. However, the backdrop and surroundings are very pleasant and the whole place is immaculately kept. One end of the ground is closed off due to the cricket pitch and there is also a golf course. It is all part of a wider venue with a nice bar serving drinks at regular pub prices. There is also food, on the occasion I visited it was a Sunday carvery. Car parking is quite tight at times and it is quite isolated from what I could work out. However, it's well worth a visit.
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