Hamworthy United continued their historic run in the FA Vase as they hosted East London side Southall FC in the Quarter Final of the FA Vase in what was ‘the biggest game in the club’s history’.
Hamworthy United continued their historic run in the FA Vase as they hosted East London side Southall FC in the Quarter Final of the FA Vase in what was ‘the biggest game in the club’s history’.
It was a tight first half between the two sides, but Southall were the ones to settle quicker and put on display their quality. Hamworthy worked their way into the game and certainly had chances with a few headers going wide of the post. Goalless at half time, it was all to play for in the second half.
The game resumed in the manner in which it was left, with both teams intensely contesting and leaving neither with a strong foothold on the game.
The game looked to be over in the 85th minute as Southall finally made the breakthrough for the first goal from a swift counterattack. The County Ground’s atmosphere as expected became flat, but with five minutes added there was hope and belief. The magic of the cup went from a classic cliché to reality for the Hammers as Jack Lovell headed home to bring jubilation around the ground in the 93rd minute. The game was forced to penalties.
You could feel the nerves across the County Ground and rightly so with Southall coming into this game having won four penalty shootouts in their last four cup games.
Shane Murphy would be the hero as he denied Southall’s seventh penalty, making defender Billy Walker’s spot kick the winning one.
After the game, Nerve Sport spoke to Hamworthy Goalkeeping Coach Ben Sullivan:
“Maybe the occasion got to the players a little bit, but Southall came with a game plan and executed it well in the first half. They probably cut out three or four good chances – one very good chance before they scored.
“On the day the better team lost but what it shows is this team never gives up. Commiserations to Southall on and off the pitch”
After a thrilling 1-1 result in which it ended 7-6 on penalties, Hamworthy are now one win away from Wembley. The draw will be made today (Monday 14th) at 3.15 pm and will face either Newport Pagnell Town, Loughborough Students or Littlehampton Town.