SYDENHAMS LEAGUE (WESSEX) DIVISION ONE
SATURDAY 24th NOVEMBER 2007
VERWOOD TOWN 2 – BLACKFIELD & LANGLEY 1

The first fifteen minutes were entertaining. We had a view of open football with both teams attacking. B&L had the first shot but it only troubled the netting strung up at the back of the goal.

King's defence splitting pass with five minutes gone let in Dyer but the shot was well held by the visiting keeper. The throw was intercepted by Homer and a cross almost brought a goal as Goodall's was on target but within the keeper's reach.

Arnold and Reeves worked the ball out of the central area and Reeves pass to Homer set us on the attack. Homer cut inside the defender and hammered a cross shot. Several bodies slid in but the ball eluded all of them and flew into touch on the far side. It was encouraging. We were playing good football and looked like scoring.

26 minutes gone and Goodall broke free of his marker, raced into the area and slid the ball past the advancing keeper. It was a well taken goal and on balance the scoreline reflected the pattern of play…….1-0.

Three minutes later Goodall was brought down in the box. The penalty was slotted into the bottom corner…..2-0.

King forced his way down the left forcing a corner. Dyers inswinger was met forcibly by Lynch and the ball took a coat of varnish off the bar.

B&L claimed a free kick just outside the box. Willis flew across his area to tip the ball out for a corner. The ball drifted in, four climbed but Willis' handling was impeccable.

Reeves and Elysee both went close in the closing stages and had it not been for a keeper on top of his form we could have gone in four ahead.

Half Time 2-0.

The opening five minutes had us rocking as B&L worked hard to force us on the defensive. Lynch and Yerby brought off two cracking tackles to prevent an incursion into our area and Willis again brought off a superb save at the foot of the post.

We worked hard for each other and Giles epitomised the feeling with a non stop display supporting our defensive barrier.

King opened up B&L with a through ball to Dyer. Dyer's cross was met by Homer and the volley flew over the bar with the keeper well beaten.

Arnold had a shot blocked and then Reeves stormed in to hammer a shot wide of the post.

We pushed up. We were well on top and that little bit of experience was missing when B&L scythed through the middle and left Willis picking the ball out of the back of the net. 2-1.

B&L pushed us back. Lynch was rugged in defence and the Yerby, Elysee positioning was excellent as we blocked both flanks. Arnold became unemployed for a while as the style of play switched but we held on and recovered.

Goodall went close with a cross shot, King slammed a ball that was blocked on the line and Dyer should have scored but the keeper did well to palm the ball out to safety.

Adie and Nigel felt the score line was too close for comfort and urged for greater effort near the goal area. Homer obliged with a fierce shot and then Dyer sent in a teasing cross that Arnold powered just over.

We had a scrappy period as both teams grappled to change their individual goal tally but frustration took over and it became 'bitty'.

Ten minutes left and we made a late rally and pushed forward. Instructions were frantic off the line…..don't leave the back exposed. It was almost too late as B&L broke free and it was down to Willis to keep our noses in front.

Arnold had a shot Dyer should have scored from close in but we ran out of time to score again. It was a good three points.