SYDENHAMS LEAGUE (WESSEX) DIVISION THREE
SATURDAY 11TH FEBRUARY 2006
OTTERBOURNE 1 VERWOOD TOWN 2

First minute 0-1. Skipper Ben Giles took a pass back... was bundled in a tackle.... lost the ball and Bennett had no chance with the shot.

Otterbourne took the game to us and Lynch was our hero with a goalmouth clearance as we faced a series of attacks from both flanks.

Burner won a strong tackle on the right and coolly fed the ball to Bennett for a long clearance up field. Dyer skipped past a heavy tackle and released Goodall. Goodall cut into the box and brought a fine save from the home keeper.

The quality of the game was in keeping with two sides in the top set, producing thrills and spills.

Ten minutes gone and Goodall took advantage of a Reeves break. Picking up the ball just outside the area Goodall raced wide and cut the ball back at an angle. Luck was on our side as the ball beat the keeper but slammed into the foot of the post. The keeper had gone late and the ball rebounded off the post, hit him on the back and rolled into the net to level the score 1-1.

Eyre and Truan made headway in the centre of the park and we had a long spell of possession.

Half way through the half, pressure paid off. Dyer and Truan worked their way down the flank and the cross found Goodall in the box. A rash tackle floored Goodall and the referee had no hesitation in pointing to the spot. Up stepped Goodall 2-1.

The last ten minutes of the half saw Otterbourne get on top. Defensively we had to produce a solid wall round the area. Bennett though was on form and anything that did creep through he had it covered.

A few flying tackles were evident in the last couple of minutes but the referee kept card flourishes to a minimum.

Half Time 2-1

Reeves' hamstring was causing a problem so another of our up and coming youth players, Liam Morrison, stepped in to the mid field for his debut.

Stronger tackling was a feature and the referee had to stamp his authority on the game before things got out of hand.

Goodall and Truan were felled within minutes of the re start and then Dyer was bundled over the line as he collected a pass from Bircumshaw.

Bircumshaw's contribution to the team was getting better and better as his understanding with Lynch Giles and Evans helped to keep Otterbourne outside the area.

Dyer was having a good spell but frustration set in with Otterbourne defence and Dyer was bundled a couple of times before the referee stepped in with his yellow card. Five minutes later, Dyer skated past a defender but was caught by a lunging tackle from the centre half. A second yellow for the player and Otterbourne were down to ten men. We tried to benefit from the extra space but the home side covered exceptionally well and kept us outside the area for long spells.

Beverley and Truan combined well to free up Dyer for a shot but the ball whistled high over the bar.

Evans was finding space and time to overlap on the right. The extra pace and width breached Otterbourne's defence and we pressurised the home team's area. The keeper was exceptional. A series of great saves kept :he score down.

Aye experienced a late rally from Otterbourne but we were solid at the )ack and ran off at the end with three points.

MJie Arnold and Nigel Reeves felt that this game was a turning point for ur young players as they had produced a gritty performance against a ery good Otterbourne team.

Full Time 2-1

......should be an interesting finish to the season.