SYDENHAMS LEAGUE (WESSEX) DIVISION ONE
SATURDAY 1st DECEMBER 2007
AFC PORTCHESTER 3 - VERWOOD TOWN 4

A strong gusting wind heralded the kick off and coupled to periodic showers made playing conditions difficult. We kicked off with the wind at our backs hoping to gain early advantage. No one mentioned it to Portchester.

Willis made an important save although the shot had little power in it, then Lynch headed clear from a cross placed perfectly on the penalty spot.

Reeves and Arnold battled through a sticky patch and Faulkner's return to the team had a calming effect on a turbulent start.

Ten minutes into the game and Arnold stepped up to a free kick 20 yards out from goal. It was unstoppable. 1-0. We gained confidence and gradually pushed Portchester back into a defensive mode.

Dyer's crosses were excellent quality and Goodall should have benefitted from pin point accuracy but our top scorer couldn't get the ball on target.

Elysee Yerby and Faulkner combined well to create an opening on the right. Elysee's cut back found Faulkner following up and a curving cross was met by Reeves but the header went wide of the post.

The home side fought their way back into the game and for some inexplicable reason we dropped off pace and allowed Portchester room to manoeuvre. Willis brought off a couple for cracking saves and Yerby's pace worked for us when he won a race into the area to nick the ball off the toes of the centre forward.

Lynch headed attempts clear but with four minutes left we left ourselves wide open and a cross shot flew past Willis. 1-1.

The referee was ready to blow for half time as Portchester attacked and just before he emptied his lungs the ball was in our net to close the half 1-2 for the home side.

Adie and Nigel spent ten minutes of the break explaining in simple logic what we were doing wrong. The early learning centre wasn't having much effect on our budding squad and we continued where we left off with Portchester applying the offensive.

Fifteen minutes later Goodall and Homer sparked a revival. Homer went round the full back and a cross to the far edge of the box was met by Goodall. The keeper earned his corn making a flying save to keep Portchester in front.

Dyer and Faulkner worked the flank and Dyers cross found Giles storming forward. A 25 yarder was palmed over the bar. The corner found Lynch but the header was well taken.

Portchester hit back. Yerby cut out a cross then Elysee kicked a dangerous ball clear as we defended desperately.

It was short lived. We were playing better and Goodalls movement off the ball created numerous gaps we should have exploited but couldn't find that important cutting edge. We didn't give up. We kept pushing ahead and both Dyer and Elysee were providing plenty of ammunition for our forwards. Homer pushed up, Giles pushed on and Adie shouted warning as we became exposed at the back.

Eight minutes to go and Portchester cracked at the back. A typical poacher's opportunity presented itself and this time Reeves rapped the ball into the bottom corner. 2-2.

Two minutes later inexperience took its toll. A throw towards our area a lack of concentration and an easy tap in took the home side ahead 2-3.

It was a blow, but no heads dropped. Homer stimulated our response with a cracking run at Portchester's defence. A cross was headed clear but in stormed Elysee to hammer the ball back into the box. Lynch had followed play and his header skimmed into the roof of the net. 3-3. A minute of normal time left it looked as both teams had a point each….BUT…Homer once again powered forward And a cross into the area met a bundle of players. It was like ping pong. Finally Reeves stuck out a size ten and the ball bobbled over the line 4-3.

We lined up for the restart but the ref decided 91 minutes was enough. The result was a well deserved three points.