SYDENHAMS LEAGUE (WESSEX) DIVISION ONE
SATURDAY 21st MARCH 2009
VERWOOD TOWN 1 FAWLEY AFC 0

5 minutes and a Dyer free kick dropped into the box for Lynch to out jump the Fawley defence. His header bent the bar but didn't reach the back of the net.

Fawley hit back down their right. Murray launched a flying tackle that proved to be fair and a ball winner. Homer collected the loose ball and released Lanahan in the middle of the park. A progressive move followed with the ball finally skimming the bar from an Evans' cross.

15 minutes and Lanahan was felled 30 yards out. Armold's free kick dropped wide of the six yard box and was quickly turned for a corner as Newbury crashed in for a shot. The corner drifted across the area and this time we watched instead of following.

Football on the deck was a pleasant sight and as the eighteenth minutes elapsed Lanahan sparked a move from the middle. Newbury swept the ball wide to Homer and an angled shot whipped inside the far post. The referee whistled for offside as his second lieutenant raised his flag.

It was then a periods of shared space as both sides tried for the all important breakthrough. Fawley went close and then Newbury hit the side netting.

23 minutes and Willis was tested with a low right wing cross that he gathered at the second attempt.

2 minutes later Willis was seen slightly off his line but was able to scramble back quick enough to touch the ball over the bar.

We hit back with the best move of the game so far as Murray found Lanahan on to Dyer Reeves then Dyer to release Homer. The cross was inch perfect but Evans headed over the bar.

Half Time 0-0

Towards the end of the first half the game tailed off to a very mediocre pace and mediocre excitement.

2 minutes old and Homer raised hopes of a better performance with a shot that hit the post and squirmed out of the area.

The game drifted again. The only eye catching view was Neville Munson and Shaun Gale who with shades could have doubled with as the blues Brothers as they chased footballs booted off the pitch. Neville, a local fashion Icon looked resplendent in his VTFC top and cut down overall bottoms.

A bit more pace and Newbury featured with Homer and Dyer. The final cross was booted clear and the run away forward hit a dipping shot that beat Willis but landed on top of the net.

Arnold and Lynch pairing was a dividend at this stage as Fawley began enjoying more of the ball keeping us pegged back. We got bodies behind the ball and several shots were blocked by our defenders.

Again though pace and excitement dropped off. The game put more to sleep than an anaesthetists' convention.

Homer and the keeper raced for a loose ball, Homer won the chase and took the ball into the six yard box before sliding home the first goal of the game.1-0.

Arnold won a tussle at the back and a high ball cleared the middle of the park releasing Newbury. The keeper though won this race and a long high kick to Fawley forwards had Murray and Lynch racing back to cover. The volley was low and on target but Lynch blocked the ball from reaching Willis. Across came Elysee to hoof clear and we breathed a sigh of relief.

A replication of the move and this time it was Murray who cleared the area.

The game picked up a bit of pace making a reasonable finish but we held tight and came away with three points.

Full Time 1-0