SYDENHAMS LEAGUE (WESSEX) DIVISION ONE
THURSDAY 19TH FEBRUARY 2009
ANDOVER NEW STREET 1 VERWOOD TOWN 6

Chris Lynch and Adam Faulkner had to drop out before we left for the game so it was a mixed and shuffled side that faced Andover.

1min 30 secs and Dyer slipped his marker on the right, dummied inside and unleashed a rocket of a right footer that flew over the keeper into the net. 1-0. A fantastic start.

Andover, stung into action whipped the ball down the right, a deep cross and a stunning header was well saved by Fawcett.

Andover was playing good football and brought the best out of our capabilities. Another sweeping move came to nothing as Arnold, playing centre half cut out the attack. A clip over the mid field and Dyer collected in space.

Dyer's run at Andover defence had them back pedalling. A pass wide to Homer, a cross into the box and Goodall was unlucky to hit the side netting. It was a good game to watch.

11 minutes gone and we broke through on the left. Reeve's benefitted from Homer's pin point cross and a glancing header put us two up.

We had to keep a tight reign on our mid field as Andover constantly threatened with quick breaks. Fawcett was on the end of a couple of shots but it was the back four of Murray Giles Arnold and Evans who gave us the backbone to keep Andover at bay.

Dyer and Reeves were a revelation in the middle of the park but everyone got tucked in and we saw a very different Verwood side than of late.

Could we maintain the standard in the second half?.

Half Time 2-0.

Dyer wriggled his way past the centre half, took the ball wide of the full back and hit a cross shot that tested the keeper to the full. It was a good save but gave a glimpse of a determined approach.

49 minutes and Murray broke up an attack on Andover's right. Homer collected the ball, fed it back and went for the return. A quick scamper down the left and a deep cross found Reeves. A chip into the box and Goodall tried to place his header into the bottom corner but the ball skipped inches past the post.

We were working as a solid unit and with 58 mins on the clock we had the third when Chivers was hacked down in the area and Goodall stepped up to put the ball past the keeper. 3-0.

Andover remained dangerous. No heads dropped and they gave us a torrid ten minutes as they hit back looking to close the gap. Fawcett was in great form and his constant chat from the back helped to keep things tight.

69 mins we caught Andover at the back. They had enjoyed a spell of attacking football but pushed too far forward. A long clearance found Goodall and the race back wasn't good enough. Dan outpaced them took the ball wide of the keeper and slipped the ball into the net from a narrowing angle. 4-0.

Bring on Charlie. An acrobatic Elysee performed an Olympic leap and volley to slam the ball past the keeper. Everyone was stunned. He usually misses! It counted….5-0.

73 mins and Chivers turned his marker on the edge of the area. Quick feet took the ball clear of a defender and a right foot low drive beat the keeper to give us a 6-0 lead.

Adie Arnold decided on wholesale changes. Unfortunately Bernie Scott;s shorts elastic had snapped so rather than create a pitch invasion he sent on Beverley Willis and Newbury instead.

83 mins. Andover won a penalty and scored from the spot.

RESULT 6-1