WESSEX LEAGUE CUP
WEDNESDAY 12TH SEPTEMBER 2007
VERWOOD TOWN 0 - POOLE TOWN 3

This was our very first game under Potterne Floodlight. We had a fitting opposition in Poole Town and although England played Russia the same night we had an excellent crowd.

Poole gave us a fright within the first five minutes, breaking on the right and a quick low pass inside gave room for a shot that just cleared the bar.

It was good open football from both sides treating the crowd to thrills and spills at both ends.

Dyer and Goodall combined well on the left and a rising shot from Dyer was tipped over the bar. The corner caused some concern in the box but Poole cleared their area working the ball left. A fast break allowed a shot from just inside our box. A flying save from Fawcett stopped the goal.

Poole enjoyed a few more attacks than ourselves but we gave as good as we got in the middle of the park.

Goodall and King had two efforts saved and Elysee blazed an effort over the bar from 10 yards.

Fawcett was the busier of the keepers pulling off some cracking saves evidencing Poole’s dominance over us in terms of shots on goal.

Lynch and Yerby picked off central raids and Freeman and Homer did well to hold two fast flank players.

Arnold and Faulkner worked tirelessly in midfield ably supported by Dyer and Elysee.

The half finished with a blazing shot from Poole that once again gave Fawcett a chance to show superb athleticism.

Poole had a succession of attacks from the kick off but we stayed tight at the back. Two corners were superbly dealt with by Fawcett and Lynch’s ability in the air kept a clean sheet.

Ten minutes gone and we were lucky not to go behind as Poole missed glorious opportunities. Then it was our turn to have crack. King opened up the central Poole players with some neat footwork and a shot from just inside the box beat the keeper but hit the foot of the post and screwed back into play.

Goodall tried a shot the keeper did well to tip over and then Poole hit back with some good football down the left. A deep cross was met with a powerful header and we breathed a sigh of relief as the ball soared over the bar.

Elysee had made way for Matt Newbury and Matt James came on for Tom Freeman.

We needed the fresh legs. Newbury made a break on the right and his cross was turned into the side netting by Goodall.

Poole proved relentless in coming forward and we were gradually pushed back to defend in numbers.

81 minutes found Poole in front. A ball from the left cleared the area and was chipped back to the penalty spot. Fawcett palmed the ball away but was unlucky to see it fly past him as a volley inside the 6 yard box hit the back of the net. 0-1.

We had tired legs. Fawcett became the hero saving several shots as we wilted.

86 minutes, a cross from the left a simple tap in….0-2.

87 minutes another cross from the same side…….0-3.

We had a late flurry from Goodall and Newbury but couldn’t find the net.

It was the end of our Wessex Cup hopes for 2007.