Match Reports and interviews by Oliver Johnston

Oliver Johnston is a year 10 student at Corfe Hills school undertaking Media Studies.
Hamworthy Recreation FC is committed to all aspects of youth football so is hosting Oliver for a two week work experience study

Please keep checking this page for Oliver's Match Reports and interviews.

Including a selection of Oliver's Photographs
Hamworthy Recreation First (3) v Cowes Sports (0)
Saturday 21st March 2026

Match Report - Hamworthy Recreation v Brockenhurs - 28th March 2026 We were joined by Brockenhurst, at the Meyson Properties Stadium in a Play-off derby. Both teams were looking for a win, to keep their play-off dream at a high. Hamworthy Recreation were looking for their 5th win in a row, and Brockenhurst were looking to bounce back after a 3 goal defeat to Hamble club on Tuesday. It was the perfect weather for the game, as this could be end to either teams play-off hopes. Previous results between the two clubs, a 2.0 win to hamworthy at MEADENS SKODA ARENA back in august, another 2.0 win for Hamworthy at home, back in March 2025, and last a 2.2 draw away, with a 90+7 minute equaliser for Hamworthy. We kicked off at 15:00, SHANE MURPHY looking to clear the ball, but the ball deflected off TOBY COLNER for a Ham Rec goal kick. An early free kick to brockenhurst, with a ball over the top from RIAN DRAKE, which lead straight into SHANE MURPHY. After some amzing football by both teams, Hamworthy were the first to strike with a good ball to JAKE DOVE from EDDIE HODGE, he rockets the ball at the bottom right post as MAX WILCOCK was able to get the return and buries it, sadly the flag goes up and its a free kick to brockenhurst. Another opportunity for Rec as MAX WILCOCK hits the crossbar. By the end of the first half, Hamworthy Recreation had all of the possession. brockenhurst had 2 yellow cards in the dying moments of the first half as, captain TOBY BAILEY and TOBY COLNER both make melicious tackles to put themselves on warnings. A very eventful first half, with the ball travelling end to end. This could be any teams for the taking. The second half has started off with a shot from EDDIE HODGE towards the left side of goal. JORDI VALERO pulls off a good save to send it out for a corner. This was the switching point for brockenhurst, as they regain possession and push for a goal, and that goal came to them, when the ball came over the top, and Hamworthy Recreation couldn't clear it, leading the ball to hit off one of their shines and into the back of their own goal. Hamworthy Recreation 0:1 Brockenhurst Not long after kick-off, AARON ROBERTS was first to get a yellow card for Rec. REUBEN MOGGERIDGE bought the ball down with an amazing touch, but it wasn't enough as he parried the shot wide and out for a goal kick. A few minutes after this, HARVEY DOE went in for a nasty challenge e on FREDDY BEALE to get himself sent back to the changing room, as the ref gave him a straight red. We bounced straight back by AARON ROBERTS found himself one on one with the keeper, the ball hits a Brockenhurst player arm, all HamRec players call for a penalty but the ref lets play carry on. A fifth yellow car follows as RIAN DRAKE makes a dirty tackle to add another booking to the list. In the dying moments of the game. SHANE MURPHY crosses a free kick by the halfway line. The ball glides through all the Brockenhurst defenders and finds SEAN WRIGHT who hits the ball on a half volley, into the bottom left corner, equalizing the game for Rec. Not long after, the full time whistle blew. As both teams split the points and head back to the changing rooms. Final Score - Hamworthy Recreation 1:1 Brockenhurst If you have got this far, this is a little personal message from me. I just want to thank everyone at the club for making me feel so welcome and involved. On my first day, when i walked through those doors, i was so nervous. Everyone helped me a lot and i have learned so much from my experience. This was my final game at the club, but i'm hoping to be at a few games next season and carrying on after that. Thank you everyone for giving me an opportunity. I would like to say a massive thank you to Mike Pomeroy, for giving me the chance to work at the club and letting me use his tab to get food and drinks, and to John Hutchings for letting me take over his job for the last 2 weeks. It has been an amazing experience and lovely meeting all new people. Oliver Johnston. #UpTheRec

Interview with Hamworthy Recreation Reserves Coach On Wednesday the 25th of March, I interviewed Paul Murphy, the coach of the reserve team, about recent results in the Dorset Premier League. In the previous 2 games, HamRec reserves lost 4.0 away to Gillingham and 6.0 away to Holt. I asked Paul why these results were happening. He responded with 'We have a young team who are going up against men twice their size and age, it will be difficult for them to stop the opposition.' Another question I asked is what happened at half time at the Holt game for the boys to turn it around. Holt were 5.0 up at the break, and the score finished 6.0. Paul said that HamRecs left winger wasn't dropping back to help the defence. He was contemplating to take him off before half time but ended up waiting. This really helped Rec as his replacement was dropping back and helped out the defence.

Hamworthy Recreation (5) v Bournemouth Poppies (1)
Tuesday 17 March 2026

Bournemouth Poppies made their way to The Meyson Properties Stadium on a cold, brisk Tuesday night. Many fans from both teams travelled to the ground on this March evening to watch this local derby take place. Rec kicked us off with a long ball from SHANE MURPHY to ASH BOYT who flicked it on to MAX WILCOCK but was offside leading for CALLUM WHITE claims a free kick for Bournemouth. Rec opened up the scorline as EDDIE HODGE placed it perfectly after Bournemouth's keeper, came off his line. HAMZA TALLAL tracked back but couldn't hook his foot around it, leading the ball to hit the back of the net.

Hamworthy 1:0 Bournemouth

Bournemouth were the first to bounce back as HAMZA TALLAL played a ball through to NASIM MEDDAH but cleared out by LEWIS MCMURDO and Hamworthy break on the attack. ASH POPE beats his man and drives with the ball, he shoots from the left flank but crosses wide and out for a goal kick. A few minutes later, EDDIE HODGE was driving down the right wing and was taken down in the box. Referee called a goal kick to Hamworthy. LEWIS MCMURDO stops many Bournemouth's attacks, as The Poppies regain possession. A second goal came for Rec as MAX WILCOCK took a perfectly placed shot to put Hamworthy 2 to nothing up.

Hamworthy 2:0 Bournemouth

Hamworthy were the first to attack after the goal, as EDDIE HODGE whips the ball into the box to MAX WILCOCK to rise up and put the ball wide for a goal kick. EDDIE HODGE plays another beautiful ball into the box for MAX WILCOCK to rise up again but the ball falls short and lands in the keeper's hands. Another attack for Rec, as link up play from MARTIN VIDENOV and EDDIE HODGE leads to MARTIN VIDENOV to hook it out for a throw. A good catch from CALLUM WHITE after a ball in from EDDIE HODGE. The ball was distributed by Bournemouth's keeper and fell to MAX WILCOCK who was brought down a few meters outside the box. ASH POPE takes the freekick as the first half comes to a halt. The second half begins as ASH POPE crosses the ball into the box but it was calmly collected and caught by the keeper. First attack by Bournemouth in the half as ETHAN CHESHIRE beats his man to find AZA KHIDER but driven wide and out for goal kick. EMANUEL OHAMEJE makes a dangerous tackle and picks up the first yellow car of the game. Another silly mistake by EMANUEL OHAMEJE, as he takes down MAX WILCOCK in the box leading to a Hamworthy penalty. ASH POPE steps up at the penalty spot and places it bottom right to put Rec 3 goals ahead.

Hamworthy 3:0 Bournemouth After the goal, EMANUEL OHAMEJE was taken off, for OLIVER RANDALL. Bournemouth attacked with a nice play. Rec were unable to clear the ball but SHANE MURPHY was able to claim the ball, preventing Bournemouth from getting the goal to close the scoreline down. Bournemouth were able to regain possession as LEWIS MCMURDO gave away a free kick and gained himself a yellow card. From the freekick, a Bournemouth header was drilled wide and went out for a goal kick. A few minutes later, MAX WILCOCK was taken down in the box leading to another Hamworthy penalty. A different taker, MARTIN VIDENOV, steps up to the spot. The referee blows his whistle and VIDENOV places it bottom left to put Rec 4 goals up. Hamworthy 4:0 Bournemouth After the goal, TAYLOR EDWARDS comes on. MARTIN VIDENOV, takes a shot from outside the right flank and outside the box, but the ball was rocketed straight at the keeper. 22 minutes into the Second half, Bournemouth get a corner that falls to CHARLES MEDWAY who pushed the ball past SHANE MURPHY to put Bournemouth on the scoreline. Hamworthy 4:1 Bournemouth Rec started play again with a near penalty decision as MARTIN VIDENOV tumbled in the box, after the keeper came out to claim the ball. The final decision was a goal kick, as the ball traveled out of play. A triple substitution for Hamworthy as VIDENOV, HILL and ASH BOYT came off for LONG, BARHAM and DOVE to make an appearance. Going into the last 15 minutes, Hamworthy had full possession, as Bournemouth's keeper kept every one of them out. The scoreline will change one last time, as CHRIS LONG goes one on one with CALLUM WHITE and takes a powerful shot towards the left post to make it 5 for the home side

Final Score Hamworthy 5:1 Bournemouth 6' Eddie Hodge 22' Max Wilcock 53' Ash Pope (Pen) 63' Martin Videnov (Pen) 68'Charles Medwell 89' Chris Long

We welcomed Wincanton Town today in a 2.2 draw at the Meyson Property Stadium. We started strong as in the third minute, we won a free kick just by the half way line. The ball crosses through everyone, to go out for a goal kick. After the goal kick. The ball hit the halfway line as Sean Wright (Rec) and Joe Beckly (Winc) rose up to claim the ball. Sean came out on hop as Beckly fell to the ground clutching his face. Beckly took a break, as Hamworthy Recreation played a good ball through but was swept up by the keeper. Dan Wise (Winc) hesitates on the ball leading to Ham Rec able to Break on the attack. The ball later goes out for a corner as Max Wilcock (Rec) takes a mistimed header, leading for the ball to go out of play. WIncanton hit the ball over the top, a failed clearance by Jake dove (Rec), leads to Wicnaton to break down the wing. A shot was cleared from the line from Wilcock leading to a Ham Rec attack. nothing came from it but a Wincanton goal kick that went straight to Lewis Mcmurdos (Rec) head. The ball directly hit Finn hastes (Winc) hand, leading to yet another Hamworhy Rec free kick. The ball was crossed into the box by Eddie Hodge (Rec). Wincanton dispossessed the ball, leading to a Ham Rec throw. Nothing came of it but a beautiful ball into Con Williams (Winc). He tries chipping it over the keeper but Shane comfortably catches it. Ham Recs first big chance was in the 18th minute when Max Wilcock (Rec) played it across goal to Eddie Hodge but drove wide, nearly hitting the bottom right corner. A shot was saved by Shane Murphy, as Ashley Marsh (Winc) hit it towards him. Going into the 30th minute, the possession had switched all from Wincanton to Ham Rec. Chris Long claims the ball from outside the box and shoots as the ball slowly bounces over towards the keeper. Marko Radovanic (Winc) was unable to catch the ball, leading it to trickle into the bottom right corner. Hamworthy Rec 1, Wincanton 0. A second nearly came 3 minutes later, as Chris Long hit it over the crossbar. For the last 5 minutes of the first half. Ham Rec had full possession. Shots from Max Wilcock that just slipped wide, finished the first half as both teams went back into the changing rooms for half time.

We start the second half with a Wicnaton freekick, which increases into a Rec counter attack. Wincanton then won the ball back. Only a few players were back as Joe Beckly (Winc) found himself alone at the edge of the box. He takes a touch and shoots as it makes it past Shane Murphy and hits the bottom right corner. Hamworthy Recreation 1:1 wincanton. Jake Dove (Rec) plays a ball through to Eddie Hodge, who crosses it in but caught by Wincanton Keeper, as Wncanton break on the attack. A few minutes later, Sean Wright gets a yellow card for Rec, to give Wincanton a free kick by the halfway line. The ball is crossed into the box as Cam Allen (Winc) gets a head on it, sending it over the bar. The first Substitution of the day as Wincanton took off Cam Allen, for Darren McAlastair. Possession switches again as Wincanton take control of the game. Many Substitutions both sides as Hamworthy took off Jake Dove and Brad Hill to put on Tom Cooper and Ruben Moggeridge. After many close opportunities for The Wasps, they got their goal after Ben Wood played a good ball into Darren McAlastair, who slotted it into the bottom left. Hamworthy Recreation 1:2 Wincanton. Another Substitution for Ham Rec as Martin Videnov comes on for Sean Wright. Straight after the Change, Chris Long found himself through on goal. He hits it, the keeper fumbles and the ball falls into the net. Hamworthy Recreation 2:2 Wincanton. A very heavy last few minutes for Rec as constant press leads to shot after shot. Ash Pope had the last Opportunity as he got the ball at the edge of the box. Without a second thought, he smashed it, as the ball travelled out for a goal kick. Not long after, the full time whistle blew. Both teams shake hands and head back to debrief in the changing rooms.

Final score:
Hamworthy Recreation 2 : 2 Wincanton Town