SYDENHAMS LEAGUE (WESSEX) DIVISION THREE
SATURDAY 4TH FEBRUARY 2006
VERWOOD TOWN 2 FLEET SPURS 0

Adie Arnold had to juggle the squad a bit but the mix was good and solid. Lynch had made a good recovery from his hamstring strain and we had Matt Bircumshaw making his debut up front alongside Dan Goodall.

Spurs applied early pressure and Bennett proved to be on form with a confident high catch from a 20 yard volley.

Lynch looked comfortable and alongside Giles had the Spurs centre forward under wrap. The odd high cross into the area was either won by Bennett or Lynch in these opening exchanges.

Reeves sparked retaliation and a Goodall attempt from close in was saved superbly by the Spurs keeper. The ball was punted high upfield and a break on the right allowed a shot from inside the box. Luckily it went wide.

Two minutes later another break and Bennett raced out for a one on one. He was rounded and yet again Spurs squandered the opportunity by placing the ball wide of the post. The let off sounded the warning bell. Evans and Cobly played tighter and shored up a leaky defensive spell.

Goodall and Homer created a chance on the left and then Dyer superbly chipped a defender for Goodall to race free and bring off another great save from the keeper. Homer was coming more and more into the game and his pace had the Spurs defence at panic stations.

Bircumshaw had started the game slowly but a growing understanding with Reeves was paying dividends as Spurs gave ground in the middle. Reeves' cheeky chip with ten minutes of the half left should have been rewarded with a goal but the cross bar assisted Spurs in keeping the score at 0-0.

A late spat from Spurs gave Cobly an opportunity to show his talents and working the ball out of a tight position on the edge of the box sparked a central raid through Beverley. The ball was worked wide and Dyer raced free only to hear the whistle for half time before he could get a shot in.

Half Time 0-0



Beverley's strength and determination won a midfield tussle, and a great ball out to Dyer forced Spurs to open up their defence. Dyer cut inside the full back and released a low ball across the box to Goodall. A swivel and shot on the turn grazed the post.

Ten minutes into the half, the game was at stalemate in the middle and Spurs attempted to break the game up by a long distance pass back. The keeper raced to the edge of the box but Luke Homer had the ball in his. sights^ The keeper panicked and collected the ball. Free Kick. Up stepped Goodall and the ball was smashed towards goal. The defenders did their job and the ball was deflected. Homer saw his chance and a left foot shot across he keeper found the bottom corner. 1-0.

Spurs wilted a bit and we enjoyed a good spell of possession. Bircumshaw and Reeves both went close from Homer and Dyer crosses but it was Goodall catching the eye with intelligent running taking defenders with him.

Twenty minutes to go and we broke on the right. Dyer chipped the ball over the defender, Reeves raced free and then gave Bircumshaw a glorious chance to score. He didn't fail. 2-0.

We were now well on top. Dyer split the defence wide open sending Reeves free but the whistle stopped a third goal for an offside decision.v Lynch and Giles joined the attack for a period and Lynch went close with a header.

With only five minutes left Beverley suffered a clash of heads and had to be led off the pitch bleeding profusely. His departure unbalanced us a bit, giving Spurs the chance to get back in the game.

Bennett confidently pulled off a couple of saves and our back four tightened up again to keep the home team on the edge of the box.

The rest of the game was played out in the middle of the park without any more excitement in the areas.

It was a good solid performance taking us to third spot in the division.

Full Time 2-0