SYDENHAMS LEAGUE (WESSEX) DIVISION ONE
SATURDAY 13TH SEPTEMBER 2008
VERWOOD TOWN 0 – EAST COWES VICTORIA 3

EC missed a ferry then their van was hit by another vehicle. The driver exchanging insurance details didn't see his sextant get nicked. The result of the missing sextant was the third disaster. They got lost between New Milton and Verwood.

At half past three a look out on Brownsea Island sent semaphore messages and the mini bus was re directed on to the Verwood Road.

Our squad had warmed up, warmed down and fell asleep.

We kicked off at 16.30 hrs and much to spectators surprise attacked immediately with Elysee hitting the foot of the post. EC cleared the ball with a hoof upfield. We are good at booting the ball in the air and proved at this early stage we were better than EC. Up it went over their centre half. Dan Goodall ran free. Out came the keeper and Goodall whipped the ball past the post. Two classic openings and nothing to show for it.

12 minutes gone and we were still enjoying most of the play. Goodall, Homer Keighley and then Homer again split EC on the flank. Homer's cross was just inside the 6 yard box but the keeper made a good save preventing Elysee another shot at goal.

EC began stringing passes together and as we deteriorated from what quality we had been showing, Willis became the saviour with a cracking display of goalkeeping.

25 and 27 minutes we were swept aside by our visitors and had it not been for Yerby and Willis we could have been two down.

It was inevitable that we would buckle and with 28 minutes gone we wilted and gave away a free kick. Willis made the save palming the ball away but EC followed up and hammered the ball into the bottom corner while we watched. 0-1. This was the score at half time. Homer collected Stephens pass, cut inside and an angled shot went wide. 1 minute gone.

That was it. We then continued the match as though we were extras in the film Shawn of the dead. Glassy eyed, lumbering movement and not really connecting with this world.

EC enjoyed the experience. Any header was theirs. We passed cleanly to their feet and gave them every encouragement to test Willis.

Odd moments occurred. Homer won a free kick and brought out a cracking save from the keeper. Cousins bent the ball at an extraordinary angle and beat the keeper but not the post.

Goodall got cramp. At least it was something he achieved while others watched.

Newbury and Yerby had to make a series of last ditch tackles to keep EC from getting into the box. It was still only 0-1.

A temporary reprieve from sloth. We pushed forward. EC's keeper was having the game of his life. Time and again he brought off cracking saves. One from Goodall two from Homer one from Elysee but didn't have to move a muscle to stop Keighley's point blank header that sailed past the post from 6 yards.

77 minutes a long clearance a free run for the centre forward 0-2.

We were shown how to finish. We hadn't learned anything at all from that opportunistic goal. We went forward and Homer's shot was saved by the keeper's feet. Keighley shot wide and then Elysee followed the trait, blasting the ball wide from 10 yards.

Time agonisingly went by. It was dreadful watching such a dismal performance after Petersfield's effort the week before.

One minute left of normal time and another long ball left us stranded. A lone runner up front tucked the ball past Willis 0-3.

Thankfully that was the last of the scoring.