Match Report United Services Portsmouth vs Verwood Town
7-Mar-2009
SYDENHAMS LEAGUE (WESSEX) DIVISION ONE
SATURDAY 14TH MARCH 2009
UNITED SERVICES PORTSMOUTH 3 VERWOOD TOWN 2
A few changes and a couple of players missing
meant several changes to the team. The bench looked full though
with Beverley and Moore sitting side by side.
USP looked dangerous going forward and both Lynch and Arnold made
timely tackles to stop Willis having to make early saves.
Sam Lanahan blocked a central raid and a good ball wide put Dyer
free to run at USP defence. A bye line cross beat the keeper but
we had no one on the end of it to capitalise on a good
chance.
9 min and Dyer again broke free to produce a tantalising high
ball that the keeper tipped over the bar. The corner was hammered
clear.
Chivers tried a volley with 14 min gone but the ball was cleared
and we were again under pressure. A sliced shot sailed wide but
it was evident we couldn't slacken against this forceful home
team.
26 minutes and Dyer coasted to the outside of the box and tried a
low volley. The keeper did well to beat the ball away but in came
Arnold to fire an unstoppable shot into the net. 1-0.
6 minutes later we broke through and Lanahan hit a 30 yarder that
the keeper did well to tip onto the bar.
USP worked their way down the left and a deep cross found an
unmarked forward on the edge of the box. Luckily he skied the
ball keeping us in front.
40 minutes and down went Chivers with a hamstring pull. We needed
pace so Adie Arnold had no hesitation in getting Moore to take
another gallon of Adrenalin to see the half out.
Half Time 1-0 to Verwood
Out we traipsed for the second half. USP immediately kicked off
and forced Willis to a save.
Willis throw found Dyer…a cross to Evans a dink over the
area to Elysee. A quick tee up and a volley shot past the keeper
into the bottom corner, 2-0 and only 50 seconds of the second
half on the clock.
We then lapsed into a comatose state allowing USP to get right on
top. We rode our luck as USP camped around the box. Several
attempts were blocked and beaten out of goal.
The ability to play football out of the back had deserted us. The
big hoof was employed but the ball was coming back quicker than
we could cope with and a series of corners followed. Willis was
doing overtime with our defenders allowing access into the
penalty area.
We survived though and Dyer almost had the ball in the net with a
sparkling piece of individualism but the side netting was the
recipient of the shot.
54 minutes and USP broke through to the edge of the box, a rising
shot was beaten out but we failed to follow the ball out and
another volley screamed into the bottom corner. 2-1.
We looked ragged at this stage and USP were rolling us over.
Murray and Evans were on overtime rates as they constantly
blocked and hoofed the ball out of the area. Lynch as usual was a
powerhouse and Arnold was doing a superb job sweeping at the
back. It was inevitable we would crack again simply because of
indiscipline that had crept in and a failure to recognise
shape.
86 minutes USP slammed a goal that Willis could only watch
whistle past him. 2-2.
Stoppage time ran to 93 minutes and the time we had all developed
wanderlust. One defender, three attackers and although Willis
palmed away the first shot the ball squirmed it way along the
goal line for a simple tap in to give USDP all three points.
Full Time 3-2 to USP.