SYDENHAMS LEAGUE (WESSEX) DIVISION ONE
SATURDAY 8TH AUGUST 2009
AFC PORTCHESTER 0 VERWOOD TOWN 1

Our first league game of the season and a tough one. We had a good squad .....Fawcett ,Elysee, Jones, Evans, Anderton, Dyer, Arnold, Newbery, Truan, Homer, Willis, Newbery, Lanahan.

Portchester had the early plaudits as they settled a bit quicker than us. Early attacks were flank led and both Elysee and Jones did well to contain the threat. Arnold and Anderton scrapped their way through the middle of the park and with the backing of Lynch and Evans we held solid.

Dyer had a good shot saved and then Truan struggled free of his marker to slam the ball narrowly wide.

Newbery was whistled offside as he shaped up for a shot only 10 yards out from goal and then Homer was dumped on his backside just outside the area. The free kick caused a rumpus but was eventually kicked out of the box.

Fawcett continued his chat because of what he thought might have been an aerial bombardment. The combat fizzled out as Lynch and Evans dominated the box alongside Fawcett.

Newbery tried a shot on 30 minutes that had the keeper scrambling but the ball was cleared at the post.

Truan and Newbery were tireless in their pursuit of a breakthrough but Portchester were tight at the back and gave little scope for us to score.

The half petered out in the middle of the park and we were probably having the best of the spoils when the whistle blew.

Half Time 0-0

Portchester had the upper hand for the first few minutes but we hit back and the game followed a similar pattern to the first.

Dyer danced his way over a couple of strong tackles and a rasping shot was well saved by the keeper.

Anderton won a battle for the ball and releasing Arnold helped to set up a break through the middle. Truan hit the volley but didn't get on the score sheet as it grazed the bar.

Lynch joined everyone in the home team's box for corner and in keeping with his usual accuracy put the header over the bar.

Evans won a race for a long ball and a lay back gave Fawcett clearance for a long ball down the middle. Newbery won the tussle and a ball wide to Homer gave us the edge outside the box. The shot was blocked. It spun out to Dyer 25 yards out. A tremendous right foot blaster flew past the keeper. 1-0.

Portchester were stung into action. Arnold blocked one shot on the edge of the box and then Fawcett dived low to make a great save.

We needed height and pace......was Willis the answer?. He thought so. On he came.

His first effort flew over the bar, second effort hit the side netting. It was action man all over again.

Homer turned the screw. He was having a bigger impact now on the game and a couple of chances went begging from his crosses but we couldn't capitalise.

A final push from Portchester came in the last 10 minutes of the game but we resisted well and kept the sheet clean.

Our first league game of the season and our first three points. Adie and his management team were very happy.