SYDENHAMS LEAGUE (WESSEX) DIVISION ONE
SATURDAY 23RD AUGUST 2008
VERWOOD TOWN 4 – HYTHE AND DIBDEN 3

A very strong H&D turned up for this match and after the debacle of the Ringwood second half we had to produce.

Goodall bowed out before the kick off with injury as did James Finlay and Paul Stephens. Paul Reeves is still in rehab.

Both teams looked up for it. We were first out of the blocks and a Cousin's rising shot with only a minute gone gave sign of intent. Cousins again with 3 minutes on the clock crossed from the left, in stormed King and a glancing header flew past the keeper for our first goal in two games. 1-0.

H&D stung into action made ground on the left a deep cross was picked up by Faulkner. Slipping the ball to Moore, Faulkner picked up the return and a line ball found Homer. Homer's lethal left foot shot whipped past the post. Two minutes later Homer again broke through but this time the keeper was forced into a save.

15 minutes and Arnold chipped the ball into the box. King stole round the back and his header was cleared off the line.

4 minutes later Lynch cleared an attack. The ball shot past the half way line, King raced free. Out came the keeper but King won the race and a header over the keeper found its way into the bottom corner of the net. 2-0.

29 minutes Cousins and Elysee combined to close in on H&D box. Over came the cross and in swept Homer to score with his trusty left foot. 3-0.

We watched some good football but benefitted from H&D's very square back four and VTFC quick forwards.

Eight minutes to go, Dyer won a one on one and made it 4-0.

Then in a late late show H&D developed a great move through the middle. A free kick was won on the edge of the box. A low shot into the corner 4-1.

A few feisty tackles were clamped on by the ref as the half drew to a close.

Could we maintain the upper hand? We started well but it was a very different H&D that had emerged from the dressing room. For the first 10 minutes we suffered an all too regular second half malaise as H&D kept us pegged back winning several corners. Confusion from a ball into the box resulted in Hythe gaining an early second half goal and a clear lift in their spirits 4-2.

Good approach work and a clear shot at goal spelled danger. Willis was equal to the task and good handling kept the score at 4-2.

Lynch and Moore combination was tested as more and more moves were tried through the middle. Arnold and Cousins worked hard and a very even possession game was enjoyed by the crowd.

King had hard luck with a volley and then Dyer almost made it five with a low volley. A good keeper and a more determined back four closed the gaps to us and we had to slug it out to make headway.

H&D then scored. Tails were up and we were pushed deeper and deeper into defence. Lynch made a last ditch tackle to stop a shot on goal just inside the box.

Yerby was in his element. Good tackles…very busy….the need to force the pace and his energy helped us work our way back into the game.

The game developed exciting stages and then took an upwards turn when H&D powered in a third.

Sweat was evident. We dug in. H&D went close with a volley and then fortunately missed a good opportunity with the goal loosely guarded.

We fought back. Cousins put Pete King through but the keeper raced off his line to clear. Dyer then released Homer and a cross shot was palmed away by the keeper.

We kept up the pressure but then almost paid the price by pushing up too far. The counter attack caught us cold. Yerby blocked the shot and then the re bound was deflected by Lynch.

In came the corner, up went Willis and a strong fist punched the ball away from danger.

We won this one 4-3 but knew we had been in a very tough game.