SYDENHAMS LEAGUE (WESSEX) DIVISION ONE
SATURDAY 22ND NOVEMBER 2008
VERWOOD TOWN 2 AFC ALDERMASTON 4

In the first minute Aldermaston attacked on the right. A cross found an unmarked player and an angled shot tested Fawcett. Fawcett's leg did the trick deflecting the shot fort a corner. Moore beat everyone to the ball and cleared the area.

We hit back straight away with Arnold forcing his way through only to hit the bar. A minute later Arnold thought he had put us ahead as the ball beat the keeper but hopes dashed as a full back headed off the line.

Moore's free kick in the 10th minute found Lynch. A header across the box was clawed from under the bar by the keeper. The ball fell to Homer. A left foot volley hit the side netting.

12 minutes and we gave way on the right. A cross and a brilliant dkving save from Fawcett turned the ball away but we hadn't picked upin the box and an unmarked player (yet again) tapped the ball into the net. 0-1.

14 minutes and we looked ragged. Two shots point blank were saved by Fawcett. Moore then scrambled the ball off the line. Lynch was a powerhouse as pressure mounted.

37 minutes and a rising shot from the edge of the box hit the underside of the bar bounced out and an isolated player ran in and planted a firm header into the net 0-2.

We gathered ourselves together and pushed hard for a goal. None worked harder than Arnold and Faulkner. Arnold particularly caught attention with a non stop performance.

42 minutes and Arnolds persistence paid off as he planted a shot goalwards and an attempted clearance was miscued by the keeper. The ball spun into the net sending us in at half time 1-2.

Reeves had been growing in presence as the first half progressed. Within the first minute of the re start he had opened up a gap on the right and a terrific placed cross fell to Homer 4 yards off the goal line. A muffed shot trickled past the post. It was a glorious chance missed.

12 minutes and we won a free kick. It wasn't a good one and the clearance caught us napping. Two runners and a deadly finish 0-2.

4 minutes later we broke through and an Elysee cross was headed over by the bar by Homer.

A minute later Homer raced down the left and swung in a low cross that Chivers put past the post.

Reeves put out a wide ball. Homer raced free and slipped the ball to Chivers on the edge of the box. Chivers slipped past his marker and a left foot effort whipped over the bar.

We kept trying and Chivers again had a chance but put the ball over the bar.

Lynch and Moore were keeping a tight central defence so attacks were now coming more and more off the flanks.

Murray and Elysee were busy but there now appeared a big gap between the back four and the forwards. The gap became occupied by Aldermaston's mid field and it gave opportunity for shots at Fawcett. We survived several attacks and a good clearance found Homer. A touch of magic and Arnold found himself free in the box. Down he went. Penalty. Arnold took the spot kick himself and the ball was fired into the top corner of the net. 2-3. 78 minutes gone. There was time for a rally.

A minute later the rally happened at the wrong end of the pitch. A corner and Aldermaston headed themselves into a 4-2 lead.

Fawcett then had to make another brilliant save with a couple of minutes left . There was no danger of us getting a third so the game fizzled out in the centre of the park giving Aldermaston the three points.