HAMWORTHY United suffered a double blow last night when their defeat at Lymington was compounded by another fitness fear over star striker Jack Swann.

Swann, who shrugged off a hamstring problem to score the winner against Ringwood at the weekend, aggravated the troublesome injury in the warm-up prior to the Wessex Premier Division clash at the Sports Ground.

And Phil Simkin's mood was not improved by what unfolded on the pitch, as relegation-threatened Lymington beat Hammers after the visitors had been reduced to 10 men when goalscorer Ryan Dovell saw red for a two-footed challenge in first-half stoppage time.

Dovell had put Simkin's side ahead from the penalty spot in the 35th minute following a foul on Michael Dean.

But Alex Purkiss pulled the hosts level before Jake Ormond took advantage of space in the Hammers penalty area to curl home from 15 yards in the 67th minute.

Simkin disagreed with referee Steve Graham's decision to dismiss Dovell.

He said: "I'm very disappointed because, with 11 men, we were coasting.

"It was an unfortunate mistimed tackle. I didn't think it was a sending off offence. And with 10 men we were up against it."

Simkin is unsure about whether Swann will be available on Saturday after revealing the forward's hamstring "tightened" in the warm-up.

"I don't know whether we need to rest him again or if I'll be in a position to play him. It's been a bit of a disappointing evening I'm afraid," added the Hammers supremo.

Hamworthy United: Peters, Marsh (Baguley, 79), Grimason, Gilbert (B Williams, 77), Walker, Dean, Middleton, Hubbard, Pinder, Dovell, Jackson. Unused subs: Seal.

  • Jy Taylor's Ringwood Town earned a point as they held Hamble to a 0-0 draw in the Wessex Premier Division.

Much of last night's non-league programme fell victim of the weather, with Bashley's Southern League clash against Team Bath postponed, together with Wessex League and League Cup matches involving Christchurch and Poole Town.

Other Wessex League result: Downton 0 Horndean 6.