SYDENHAMS LEAGUE (WESSEX) DIVISION ONE
SATURDAY 15TH AUGUST 2009
VERWOOD TOWN 3 FLEET SPURS 2

Our second home league game of the season matched us against Fleet Spurs. Spurs didn't do too well last season but have restyled the team and looked really sharp.

A couple of attacks tested Fawcett and with only four minutes gone another attack was halted by Lynch. A high clearance found Truan. Truan's speed off the mark gave room for a shot. The ball hit the foot of the post, bounced out, hit the keeper and a second attempt had the ball in the keeper's hands.

The game opened out but Spurs seemed to have the upper hand. We were exposed several times on our right hand side but Fawcett's form was the difference in the score line.

9 minutes gone and a point blank volley was palmed along the goal line by Fawcett. A half clearance was picked up on the edge of the box and another shot destined for the back of the net was hoofed off the line by Lynch.

We hit back through Jones and Dyer. Good link up play released Newbery. A cross field pass found Truan and a deep cross allowed Homer his first effort of the game. It was taken well by the keeper.

The game continued at fast pace with Spurs just having the edge but with 19 minutes on the clock, Homer turned up on the right and a curling cross found Elysee. A cracking header beat the keeper to put us one up.

We sparked for ten minutes and a classic move started by Lynch moved through the Spurs defence with Newbury and Truan contributing to take the ball just outside the area. A switch back found Homer and a low shot was brilliantly saved by the Spurs keeper.

26 minutes we allowed a low hard cross from the right to enter the box and Evans couldn't help but test Fawcett with a low header making the score 1-1.

32 minutes and Spurs went in front from a goalmouth scramble that we couldn't clear. A hooked shot made it 1-2 and the score remained in favour of the visitors at half time.

Adie Arnold was away on a scouting mission but was informed of the half time result.

Nigel Reeves, Matt James and Nick Lanahan sat at the round tea table and joined hands. Chris Willis went into a trance and a mix of views was made through a form of table tapping morse code. Instructions followed to the team.

It worked. There was a crispness about our passing and Truan was the architect of a break that had Spurs back pedalling. Newbury rounded off the attack with a rasping shot that was well saved.

Truan popped up on the left and a reverse ball to Homer split Spurs again. Homer's shot went inches wide.

50 minutes and Jones clipped a pass down the line to Elysee. There was space. Elysee capitalised and went for the box. The keeper was slightly off his line and Elysee's shot whistled over the keeper and into the net. 2-2.

Spurs had wilted slightly. Both our backs began breaking forward. Murray was having a great game at left back and had found his touch. Passes constantly found Dyer and Homer as we pushed forward.

Fawcett's command of Anglo Saxon brought the defence to its senses and we kept shape.

Truan's running off the ball along with the industry of Newbury kept the Spurs defence at full stretch. Truan should have had a couple of goals had his feet been an inch longer. One ball rolled along the goal line and tantalisingly an inch from a sliding right leg.

60 minutes and constant pressure paid off. The ball bounced around in the box, up stepped Lynch to hit a volley past the keeper......with his LEFT FOOT. 3-2.

For the next few minutes we had the run of play but then eased. Spurs came back and we were forced to defend in numbers.

Jones had to come off and Anderton slipped into mid field. Today's goal hero Elysee took up right back position.

Truan went close yet again but goals remained in famine mode.

We finished with a winning score line of 3-2.