SYDENHAMS LEAGUE (WESSEX) DIVISION ONE
FRIDAY 4TH APRIL 2008
PETERSFIELD TOWN 1 VERWOOD TOWN 1

On the night we held fourth position in the league and Petersfield lay fifth. There was pride to play for and in Petersfield's memory was our last game 22nd March when we won 2-0 at Potterne.

Both sides attacked form the start. We had first crack with a move sparked by Matt Newbury and with Goodall shooting wide. A long ball down the flank gave Elysee a chance to compare his pace with a nippy outside right and Elysee won this one with a good tackle giving away a throw. A long high ball into the box and Willis had a difficult catch to make.

Goodall with five minutes gone was again loose with only the keeper to beat….the keeper won. A throw out left and Homer intercepted to send King through. A rising shot was tipped over the bar.

We enjoyed most of the play and with 18 minutes gone a tremendous save from the home keeper kept Lynch off the score sheet saving his header from a free kick.

Dyer went close half way through the half as we maintained pressure.

Another free kick with 26 minutes gone and King stole the show with a glancing header into the top corner. 1-0.

Goodall had another opportunity with ten minutes left but again the keeper stopped the shot.

We had enjoyed most of the play and should have been at least three up. The bad finishing looked as if it would be punished. In the last five minutes Petersfield pegged us back in our half and a couple of cracking efforts whistled past the post with one shot brilliantly saved by Willis.

We survived the onslaught and went in 1-0 ahead.

Petersfield began the second half showing a fire in the belly missing from the first 45 minutes. We looked lethargic by comparison. Our second half malaise struck again?

Although the pitch was bumpy it couldn't be used as an excuse for poor passing and a distinct slowing down in effort.

Willis was busy. Shots belted in from the edge of the box were mainly on target and we were definitely second best for many 50/50 balls.

15 minutes gone and we gave a way a free kick. In it floated. Willis went up and palmed the ball. Spinning in the box and loose all that was needed was a 'tap in' and a grateful Petersfield forward went home that night clutching a memory of one of the simplest goals he will ever score. The main point….it counted. 1-1.

We continued with an inept quality and found ourselves relying on Chris Lynch Martin Newbury Luke Homer and Charlie Elysee to keep Willis protected. It worked for part of the time but Petersfield looked dangerous on the break and Willis had to prove time and again he was on form.

27 minutes and we were split wide open. A lone runner bore down on goal…out came Willis and a long leg diverted the shot away from goal.

Adie and Nigel wanted to change the shape and on came Paul Reeves for Matt Newbury. It didn't change much. Petersfield maintained pressure and we again found ourselves back pedalling.

10 minutes to go and we at last found some rhythm. Homer forced the ball down the line to Dyer. A dipping cross and a Goodall blaster was tipped over. The corner was hammered goalwards by Arnold and the keeper this time was beaten but the ball was cleared off the line by a defender.

It was grand stand finish as both teams went for a winner. There were no prisoners but it was fair, and noticeable was the absence of physios.

It finished 1-1 and probably a fair result on the night.