HAMMERS left it late on Saturday – twice, according to boss Tim Sills.

Hamworthy United started life in the Southern League with a bang, snatching a last-minute winner away at Bideford in a 2-1 victory in Devon.

The late drama followed a two-and-a-half-hour trip across the west country, with Sills at one point worried the extra traffic due to the summer holidays would delay their start in the eighth tier.

However, there was nothing to be worried about in the end, as Hammers arrived on time, but it was not a smooth start for Sills’ charges.

They fell behind after just eight minutes, but eventually they got going in Devon, equalising via Bailey Rowe.

Aidan Shepherd popped up late on to grab a late goal, and all three points in the process.

Speaking about the trip, Sills told the Daily Echo: “It wasn’t too bad - I did fear at one point that we might have let the coach leave a bit late, but we got there in time and the result made the journey back a lot easier.

“So a few initiations on the way back as well, in terms of singing, it was good. The boys are in good spirits.

“We didn't start well. Conceded in the spell that we weren't playing well at all and did feel for us a little bit at that point. But the boys have always shown good character, got themselves back into the game.

“Bailey (Rowe) got a very clever equaliser with an indirect free kick and then we haven't had a last minute winner for a little while, to be fair.

“It was great to feel that again because like we say, it's a long old way.

“Bideford is a tough place to go at the best of times, especially when it's over 30 degrees and in the middle of the summer holidays.

“So really good resilience from everyone and then when we needed that bit of quality, Aidan (Shepherd) popped up at the end and produced a great finish.

“Good celebrations and for our first game in Southern League, it couldn't have been written any better.”