SYDENHAMS LEAGUE (WESSEX) DIVISION ONE
MONDAY 24TH MARCH 2008
VERWOOD TOWN 1 TOTTON & ELING 2

Another bitter cold day with the occasional sleet flurry had more attraction than the first ten minutes of sparring produced by both teams.

A gigantic clearance from the visiting keeper cleared both Lynch and Martin Newbury. A lone runner sped away and Willis came to the rescue with a save at feet.

The changes to the team were taking time to take effect. Adam Faulkner at left back gradually bedded in and a move on the left gave Finlay a run at T&E's defence. A good cross from the corner of the box found Dyer. A looping shot whipped over the bar.

T&E hit back. Another cross and Lynch did well to head clear whilst under pressure.

Martin Newbury coolly mopped up a central raid and then it was Elysee's turn to do the side a favour when blocking a shot inside the area.

We couldn't find a suitable rhythm. We stuttered for too many lengthy periods and although Goodall and Matt Newbury had the occasional run on goal we didn't really rest the keeper.

23 minutes gone and Willis had to produce another superb save clawing the ball from just under the bar. The resulting corner was finally cleared by Faulkner as T&E pushed forward.

Goodall looked like the Lone Ranger as Matt Newbury was forced deeper to look for the ball. Our passing wasn't up to scratch and we continued to look the worse of the teams on show.

We had a late flurry but didn't have enough to worry the T&E defence.

Half Time 0-0.

Homer came on for Goodall at the start of the second half and a few shuffles were made to the formation to try and spark some life.

Lynch had to make several telling clearances as T&E again pushed forward.

We defended reasonably well but then couldn't find inventiveness to crack open T&E. On we trundled. The game was played between the areas with not much troubling the keepers.

58 minutes and Beverley came off to give Murray a run. Two minutes later we were under the hammer yet again this time T&E progressed into the box and Lynch made a fantastic stop, heading the ball clear for a corner. Over it came like a missile and Elysee luckily had stayed on the line to hoof the ball to the half way line.

We missed Goodall's running off the ball. Newbury was holding up well but T&E's defence were strong and resilient on the day. We couldn't crack them.

75 minutes a high ball over our defence allowed a run on goal and this time not even the very much in form Willis was able to stop the ball hitting the back of the net. 0-1.

It did enough to make us aware that we were on the losing end of a score line and we pressed forward. Finlay had twisted his knee and Ben Giles deputising on the flank whipped a great cross into the box to win a corner. The corner honed in on the penalty spot. Up went a crowd of players and a bumper bundle of players hit the deck. The referee decided there had been a foul in the melee and awarded a penalty. Matt Newbury made no mistake with the spot kick. 1-1.

Ten minutes to go. It looked as if a draw was on the cards as both teams seemed unable to penetrate the goal areas again.

Maturity was needed to see the game out at 1-1 but we didn't have enough experience to achieve the point on offer. 91 minutes gone and we allowed a player freedom of the park. A low shot squirmed out of Willis' hands. In came a player with no marker. 1-2. Dead and buried.