Today’s visitors Hamworthy Utd came to Churchill Close looking for a positive result in their bid to rise up the league and away from the relegation zone whilst Stur were aiming to put pressure on Sherborne and Holt who sat just above them in the table.

Manager Matt Morris was looking for a positive start from his team who have been guilty of starting slowly in recent weeks. He couldn’t have asked for much better start from his players. They were on the front foot straight from the kick off with only 5 minutes on the clock Doug Shear was put into space on the edge of the box and with time to pick his spot smashed the ball past the onrushing keeper to make it 1-0. What followed was worth seeing - Doug’s 2012 Olympic gymnastic routine a double somersault with jazz hands.

Stur continued to put pressure on the Hamworthy defence and only some last ditch defending and poor decision making prevented it from becoming 2-0 sooner than it did. Matt Gardiner making his debut look assured deputising for the unavailable Dan Neville at centre half alongside Joe Wood. Stur were soon 2-0 up when Goodwin was fouled on the right hand side of the box, Gage stepped up and bent the ball around the wall and into the bottom left hand corner.

Hamworthy woke up and started to get into the game without really testing Maitland in the home goal they did however manage to get a couple of corners that were easily dealt with by the home defence. From another set piece came their chance to get back into the game when Williams was judged to have fouled a Hamworthy player, the referee on the advice of the linesman pointed to the spot. Maitland saved the penalty and the ball rebounded out to the Hamworthy player who smashed the ball goalwards only for Maitland to once again block the shot to complete a tremendous double save and keep the score at 2-0.

To add insult to injury for Hamworthy, Williams made it 3-0 within a couple of minutes, clinically finishing in the bottom corner after good work from Jones and Griffiths in the middle. Stur were cruising at this point playing some excellent football only for Hamworthy to get a goal back when a cross into the box was met on the half volley and steered into the Maitland’s bottom corner. Rather than let Hamworthy back into the game Stur stepped and gear and a fourth goal was not long coming again Shear was the scorer after some excellent work from Manuel gave him a tap to make it 4-1. The crowd waited with anticipation for the next instalment of Doug’s gymnastic routine but were left disappointed with a finger wag!!

To complete the 1^st half the excellent Goodwin scored his third goal in as many games when he finished off another excellent move, slotting home at the second attempt after his first hit the post. Stur went in half time in the unusual position of being 5-1 up but well worth the lead.

The 2nd half was always going to be hard to live up to the 1st and so it proved with Stur taking their foot off the gas and Hamworthy coming out with more fight than they had in the 1st half. Thomas was brought onto replace Shear who had earned his rest with two goals and Geddes was brought on for man of the match Matt Jones who looked like he was getting back to his best.

Stur had further chance to increase the lead only some excellent goalkeeping and poor finishing stopped them from doing so. At the other end Maitland had to save from an opposing forward who got into the box for a free shot at goal, minutes later and Hamworthy grabbed a second when a missed tackled saw the ball crossed in to on rushing midfielder who steered the ball into the top corner.

Although Stur woke up they could not find another goal even ‘Goals’ Manuel couldn’t find the net - blasting high and wide after rounding the keeper. Logan was brought on for Williams who having made friends with the officials note book yet again was withdrawn to give everyone’s ears a rest. The game fizzled out without any further action of note.

Despite recording the victory Stur will have to play a lot better when they travel to undefeated Ham Rec if they want to get anything from the game.

A final note from the game on behalf of everyone at the club I would like to wish Doug’s sister our best wishes and hope that she has a full recovery after her recent accident.