PRE-SEASON FRIENDLY
THURSDAY 5TH AUGUST 2008
VERWOOD TOWN 3 BLANDFORD 0

Our last pre season friendly in 2008/9. A referee belying his octogenarian status and two team's intent on a good game of football It made for an interesting game.

Just before kick off Simon Edwards signed on and made his debut for the Club.

We started well and it was Edwards attracting the gaze, ploughing his way down the right to send a cross just wide of the post. Blandford took the dead ball kick and an immediate attack from the visitors gave Willis a chance to handle the ball. It was a bright opening spell.

A corner for Blandford was headed clear by Cousins and Arnold pushed the ball through for Homer to race free and try a shot. The keeper did well to palm the ball away for a corner. An inswinger was headed clear and again we faced a quick raid on the left. Moore did the business and we again went on the attack. King on to Edwards a cross and Goodall was inches short of touching home.

12 minutes, Lynch sent away Goodall. A blistering pace left the full back for dead. On to Edwards and Edwards attempt to find the net was stopped dead with a sliding tackle taking him across the area. Penalty. Up stepped Goodall and we went one up.

Stephens went wide and linking with Homer cut inside the box to finish a move with a cross shot that had the keeper beaten but was inches off target.

It was a good end to end game with little need for the Physios.

22 minutes we cleared our line with Elysee sending an inch perfect pass to Cousins. A cross field ball opened up Balndford and Edwards capitalised on space to cross for Homer to slam the ball into the bottom corner from a couple of yards…..2-0.

The game continued almost Cavalier style until the whistle blew.

Out we came into thick drizzle but didn't let the changing weather conditions hamper the football.

Blandford were first to attack and in the first minute won a corner that they headed over the bar. The dead ball kick found Cousins. A through ball freed King, a chip over the full back and in raced Homer to blast a shot that beat the keeper but was cleared off the line.

A minute later and Blandford hit a long ball for runners. Moore was equal to the task, cut out the danger and a raking pass found Goodall. Goodall's pace was used to effect and the ball hit the back of the net for our third and Goodall's second.

Adie and Nigel made a few changes and for a short time we stuttered. Blandford pushed us back but we held tight and gradually got back into our stride.

Cliff Platt (Referee and Beijing Olympic hope) kept the game flowing and although a couple of hard tackles brought reprimand the Physios remained unemployed.

Cousins and Arnold had a strangle hold on the middle of the park. Blandford worked the flanks but Murray (on for Stephens) and Elysee had the pace and tenacity to keep things tight.

Homer hit the bar and then Lynch headed into the side netting from a corner. We maintained pressure but Blandford closed ranks and prevented us from increasing the score line.

Keighley raced free from a typical Moore cross field pass but only half hit his shot giving the keeper an easy save.

The pace slackened and the game meandered to a 3-0 result. It was a good work out.

The season starts on Saturday. The result against Blandford is the marker for Andover.

Final Score 3-0