SYDENHAMS LEAGUE (WESSEX) DIVISION ONE
SATURDAY 22nd SEPTEMBER 2007
TADLEY CALLEVA 3 - VERWOOD TOWN 2 (two Match Reports in One! - Read On!)

Our regular Match reporter was not present at todays game. To fill in the blank on our website it was suggested to me (afterwards!) that I might produce a report to fill in the gap.

So here goes, by no means a proper report, and definitely not as detailed, nor as eloquently constructed as our regular match reports (..and enough to make sure I don't get the job permanently). A brief account of the day from the sideline which for my part much of the time was spent peering through the camera. I'll apologise in advance for any inaccuracies, or significant events, or people I've failed to mention!!- (Roy)

...actually a week later, a more regular type match report appeared out of the ether from another source. So if you manage to struggle through this one you'll find it at the bottom after my effort!

Getting to Tadley and locating the 'Fenced Fortress' that is the new Tadley Calleva ground was both quicker and more straightforward than expected. Actually finding the entrance to the ground which was via a gated entrance some distance along the road and into what looked like a farmers field proved more problematical - but was achieved eventually!

The new purpose built arena has had significant investment, and was very good by league standards. It was also evident that there was room for further development and expansion. One problem Tadley have encountered thus far is the establishment and 'bedding in' of the playing surface (well, multimillion pound Wembley also had problems in that respect!). The pitch had plough lines and more sand on than Bournemouth beach! In practice however, despite one or two rogue bounces it appeared to play reasonably (or at least all of the players coped very well!).

Verwood started brightly in what was a very open first half. Goodall seemed to have the pace on the Tadley defence when we could get the ball to him, and Arnold was playing a strong part in gaining control from the midfield and pushing forward.

On picking up a through ball on the right, Goodall rounded the keeper only to see his shot hit the post from the side angle. King was on hand for the follow up and straightforwardly put it in for one nil.

Verwood continued to cause trouble for the Tadley defence creating chances. The pressure paid off when Arnold, after receiving the ball outside the area, took a run past the defence and scored with a long shot past the keeper's left.

Tadley also created chances in the first half although from their perspective these were woefully wasted by poor finishing. On one occasion shooting wide left with a clear shot and only Fawcett to beat, and at least two other shots from decent positions not even troubling the goal.

Verwood drove on and nearly picked up a third when a looping ball hit the bar towards the end of the first half

Arnold picked up a heel injury towards the end of the first half but managed to battle on (presumably in the hope that something could be done at half-time)

Half-Time : Tadley Calleva 0 - Verwood Town 2

Half time cameN and went, although Verwood appeared to remain in the changing rooms!

Before the ground could be re-filled by the 'Corporate's' returning from their half time lunches Tadley had got a goal back, the perfect start for them.

Buoyed on, a Tadley equaliser quickly followed. Arnold had by now come off with the injury sustained in the first half to be replaced by Newbury but Verwood were now struggling to maintain any sort of possession.

It looked like it was going to be difficult to hold Tadley, who were now full of confidence, and continuing to push hard. Fawcett managed at least one of his special goal stopping saves, but Tadley eventually (and seemingly inevitably) got their third goal to leave Verwood with the difficult tasks of maintaining decent possession and forcing an equaliser.

Beverley came on for Pete King who looked like he had run himself out having dropped back for much of the second half.

Verwood did gradually get back into the game and began to regain some of the composure they had earlier. Unfortunately time was against them.

Full-Time : Tadley Calleva 3 - Verwood Town 2

...and Now......

MATCH REPORT (The more regular variety!)

Tadley looked sharper at the start. We were slow into tackles and our passing ability was still in the dressing room. Only five minutes had passed when Fawcett had to make a cracking save from a low drive.

Lynch and Yerby finally gelled so the middle of the park was bottled up. Faulkner's left peg came into being and a flurry of good passes sparked some penetrating football. Unfortunately we couldn't beat the keeper.

Tadley pushed up and it gave Goodall a chance to find a bit of space. Tadley's defence suddenly looked uncomfortable. Arnold and Faulkner had a tight grip on the middle of the park so it was inevitable that we broke the deadlock.

Goodall punched a hole in the defence and a cracking shot had the keeper beaten but the post got in the way and the ball spun free. King saw his chance and a left foot shot flew into the net. 1-0.

Tadley's forwards always looked dangerous. A couple of quick breaks gave a glimmer of the danger in leaving space at the back. Freeman and Homer kept chalk on their boots coping with two wide players whose main thrust was flank play and deep crosses.

Fawcett caught a swerving cross and a quick throw found Homer. A line ball and Dyer rounded his marker. A long leg diverted the ball for a corner. Dyer's inswinger was half cleared. Arnold pounced, rounded two players on the edge of the box and a left foot half volley beat the keeper to send us 2-0 ahead.

Arnold suffered a kick on the ankle and after only two minutes we had to substitute and shuffle the pack. Pete King dropped into the middle and Matt Newbury came on up front.

We looked disjointed but nevertheless tried to maintain an attacking role. Homer and Dyer exchanged passes and a very dubious whistle stopped the flow.

The free kick was quickly taken and a flick on over Lynch gave a clear chance on goal and Tadley made no mistake in pulling the score back to 2-1.

We couldn't find rhythm and four minutes later a leveller hit the back of the net. 2-2.

Tadley's supporters raised the decibel level urging their side on. We had a bit more grit than this time last year and battled it out.

Faulkner was in the thick of things and King worked tirelessly in his changed position.

Goodall then had a glorious chance to put us in front rounding two players on the edge of the box. Rounding the keeper but driven wide, Dan tried to switch feet for the shot and lost impetus. The keeper made a good save so the chance was lost.

Elysee stormed in to follow up a cross field pass from Newbury but scuffed his effort and the ball flew wide of the post.

It was then Fawcett's turn to show his quality. Two tremendous shots from just inside the area had goal written all over them but Fawcett made two brilliant saves to keep the score at 2-2.

10 minutes left and Tadley caught us in the box. A narrow angled shot this time had the beating of Fawcett and we went behind 2-3.

Final Score Tadley Calleva 3 - Verwood Town 2