SYDENHAMS LEAGUE (WESSEX) DIVISION ONE
MONDAY 27th AUGUST 2007
SHAFTESBURY 1 - VERWOOD TOWN 1

It was a cracking start. Both teams attacking with good football along the deck. Shaftesbury broke down the right a cross was held by Fawcett and a long throw found Truan. Truan rounded his marker found Homer with a raking pass and ran to pick up the return. A shot on the volley brought a tremendous save from the home keeper.

Shaftesbury developed a raid on the left and Freeman did well with a timely good clean tackle and found Elysee wide right. Elysee and the ball found themselves over the touch line from a no nonsense tackle.

15 minutes gone and Fawcett made a terrific save as a well worked free kick was cleared out of the box but fell to a green shirt for a shot at goal. Fawcetts clearance found Dyer and quick feet just outside the box gave Goodall a chance to score but the keeper again did well to stop the ball crossing the line.

Homer and Giles combined to take the ball upfield and Yerby finished the move with a shot from just outside the box but that gave no danger to the home keeper.

30 minutes into the game and a good corner was headed onto our bar and crept over the line to give Shaftesbury a 0-1 advantage.

Elysee then hit the underside of Shaftesbury’s bar from a free kick followed by a Truan shot that the keeper safely gathered.

King and Reeves worked hard to win the ball in the centre of the park and a flick to Yerby gave a momentary glimpse of goal from the edge of the box. Yerby’s shot was on target but the home keeper yet again made the save look easy.

The game continued at a fast pace and both sides had to be congratulated for the quality of football being played, and in the right spirit.

The half time score line of 0-1 we felt should have been 1-1.

46 minutes gone and Yerby hit a cross ball to Freeman. Yerby ran for the return and a quick chip to Goodall sprang open the Shaftesbury defence. Goodall ran free and this time made no mistake with well drilled shot into the bottom corner 1-1.

Stung into retaliation, Shaftesbury tore down the right, a deep cross and a shot from outside the box flew inches over the bar.

Back we came, Truan combined with Goodall, Goodall rounded off the move with a shot on target but the keeper looked comfortable gathering the effort from just inside the post.

We then hit a purple patch and Shaftesbury defended deep. Goodall and Truan had shots blocked in the box and Homer’s left foot effort was headed for another corner. In came the inswinger and King soared above everyone in the box to plant a header goalwards. It was cleared off the line to Dyer who hit a left foot shot low to the keepers left. A full back booted clear.

15 minutes to go and it was our turn to defend. Yerby King and Giles had their work cut out as a torrid five minutes hit us at the back.

Reeves and Elysee got behind the ball as well to block the home sides route to goal. Fawcett’s handling again was superb as he prevented Shaftesbury from going ahead.

King’s performance at centre back was eye catching and the joint effort of our defence kept the home side at bay.

Could we snatch a goal? Truan tried, Goodall again hit the foot of the post and Homer hit the side netting.

The game finished 1-1. It was about right. Both sides gave everything they had in an entertaining game played at a very fast pace.