SYDENHAMS LEAGUE (WESSEX) DIVISION ONE
SATURDAY 8TH MARCH 2008
UNITED SERVICES PORTSMOUTH 2 VERWOOD TOWN 3

King, Truan, Giles, Reeves, Arnold, all missing. In came Matt and Martin Newbury supported by James Murray.

This was a game we had to get something out of in view of the last couple of fixtures we had thrown away.

We looked disjointed and a much more polished performance was evident from USP. They moved better and their passing had a higher quality about it. We went through a period of sorting ourselves out during which time Chris Willis had had to make a couple crucial saves.

Lynch and Martin Newbury gradually reached a suitable understanding and with a new pairing at full back of Elysee and Homer we did need time to settle in.

15 minutes and Dyer broke free on the right for the first time. Slipping the ball back to Goodall ran on to collect the return ball. A cross and there was Matt Newbury to shoot wide. It was a promising effort. A minute later Beverley fought off a challenge and won the ball to send it wide to Yerby. A deep early cross was met by Goodall but the keeper pulled off a good save.

21 minutes and USP got a breakthrough resulting in them going ahead 0-1.

The game was now evenly balanced but not a good game to watch. It was patchy and too many balls went astray from both sides.

32 minutes we earned a free kick and Dyer hammered a grass cutter through the defending wall into the bottom corner 1-1.

Two minutes later we gave ground and went behind with a soft goal 1-2.

A few thrills and spills at both ends heralded the half time whistle.

A glimmer of hope sprang up when we started well and maintained a reasonable standard of play. This was a complete reversal of the last couple of weeks and flew in the face of our usual second half malaise. With only six minutes gone we strung a series of attacks together and saw Homer wallop two shots at the keeper, Goodall shoot wide and then Faulkner have two shots cleared off the line.

It was hard to believe that the team realised we had to work for another 45 minutes!

Goodall and Faulkner looked to be our danger men as we pushed on. Matt Newbury grew in stature as we progressed but with 59 minutes gone Beverley went up for a challenge and a clash of heads was serious enough to see Beverley escorted away to hospital.

On came our only real sub, James Murray. A shuffle of the side had to take place but the spirit for a change was excellent and we pushed forward looking for a positive result.

77 minutes and Homer forced his way to the edge of the box. A hard tackle floored him but the ball bounced his way and a hook cross found Matt Newbury just inside the area. This time Newbury stabbed the ball with his instep, Ronaldo would have been chuffed to get the same result. The keeper stooped low to gather but the boomerang fooled him and we drew level 2-2.

4 minutes left and we pressed forward. A backward header from Goodall, in came Matt Newbury, this time it was an outside of the foot curler and went through the keeper's legs!! 3-2.

USP hit back. Lynch made a diving header and Willis was occupied dealing with a few shots.

Time crept on. 97 minutes gone and USP hit the ball into the box. A melee and a player went down. A penalty. It was hotly disputed but stood.

Up stormed the keeper. A good run and a low shot flew past the post. The ball was placed for a dead ball kick and the whistle blew for time.

Three pojntsNN.3-2 win.