SYDENHAMS LEAGUE (WESSEX) DIVISION ONE
SATURDAY 17TH JANUARY 2009
VERWOOD TOWN 3 AFC PORTCHESTER 2

Our first game of 2009 was marred with the news that injuries were still a major headache and both Dan Goodall and Adam Faulkner joined the walking wounded and sat the game out in the stands.

Richard Green gave us a lift with a successful work out and stepped in alongside Chris Lynch.

The game was only 3 minutes old when our first attack forced the Portchester keeper into great save. Chris Lynch had won a tussle for the ball and spreading play sent Charlie Elysee on a gallop down the right. A low ball into the area found Chivers and a snap shot was well taken care of.

Portchester looked snappy on the ball and produced good football. We matched them in the middle of the park and Paul Arnold grafted hard to keep us balanced.

Steve Reeves slender form was all over the park. A great display of energy was an example set for others. It worked, and fortunately the example was inherited throughout the side. We chased and harried and won more balls than we lost.

Portchester worked hard as well so for about 15 minutes of the half we saw a game mainly played in the central areas of the park with the odd flurry up front.

Lynch and Green made a good pairing and didn't lose too many battles.

With a minute to go of the half Portchester won a corner and a terrific header flew into the roof of the net. 0-1.

We tried to get the goal back but there was insufficient time.

Out we came for the second half with Nigel Reeves' words of wisdom ringing in ears.

4 minutes gone Steve Reeves steered the ball between defenders for Matt Newbury to collect. Matt sped past his marker and then slid the ball past the advancing keeper for our leveller. 1-1.

Would we lose concentration? A minute later the question was answered as Portchester sliced us open on the right and a superb shot curled into the top corner of the net from the edge of the area. 1-2.

The game had certainly opened up. Tackles became a bit feisty so we saw more of Nigel Reeves waxed legs as he plodded on to treat the injured.

Dyer was in sparkling form and made massive impact on the wing. Crosses had Portchester's defenders at sixes and sevens and we should have pulled a goal back as Chivers hammered a Dyers shot goalwards only to see yet another good save from the keeper.

Portchester gathered themselves together and pushed us back. We defended well and Fawcett had to be at his very best to maintain the score line.

Evans and Elysee formed a formidable pairing on the right and frequently opened up the visitors defence. We struggled to capitalise..

67 minutes gone and the keeper again made three successive saves to keep Chivers and Dyer off the score sheet. Something had to give and a minute later Chivers got his just rewards hammering our equaliser into the net from close in.

The game see sawed and in 70th minute Newbury broke free and fired a cross shot into the corner of the net to put us ahead for the first time in the match. Portchester were stung into action and carried the game to us. We continued defending well.

The final whistle blew with 94 minutes played but with a result we had worked hard for. 3-2…..three points.

Full-time - 3-2