SYDENHAMS LEAGUE (WESSEX) DIVISION ONE
SATURDAY 5TH SEPTEMBER 2009
VERWOOD TOWN 3 ANDOVER NEW STREET 2

A revelation...number six was advertised as Newbery...and we were under the impression his name was bench!!

Martin's unflappable and solid performance against Downton was needed again as we entertained an ever improving Andover side.

A testing ten minutes for both teams as a settling in period with Andover trying to break through the defensive shield thrown up by Lynch and Evans. Comfort zone was still the influence of Fawcett in goal.

We strung a good move together with Truan picking up Homer's pass and a half volley was well saved. Dyer then tried a shot only to see it blocked on edge of the six yard box.

Martin Newbery cut out an attempted break through the middle and a wide ball found brother Matt. Cutting inside Matt slipped the ball to Lanahan. Lanahan swung it wide and Homer whipped past his marker and tried a low shot that hit the side netting.

An Andover shot hit the bar, which proved a bit of a wake up call and with 20 minutes gone, we got a deserved goal as Matt Newbery pushed a shot right as the keeper went the other way 1-0.

We increased pressure. Lanahan was blocked outside the box and then Truan's shot was deflected for a corner. Lynch as always put the ball over the bar.

Elysee overlapped on the right and a deep cross was met by Newbery. This time the ball nestled safely in the hands of the keeper.

3 minutes to go and Andover got through to score a good goal making it -1-1.

We were rocked a bit, but the best way to retaliate is to go in front and that was precisely what Ben Truan did on 45 minutes. 2-1. Andover's brisk approach at the whistle surprised us a bit as we were pushed back. Lynch's heading ability came to our rescue as we faced several deep crosses dropping into the area. Murray covered well and Evans pace at the back was a useful attribute as he swept away any breakthroughs.

8 minutes into the half and we hit back with a break on the right. Andover panicked sufficiently and a long hit surprisd everyone, including the keeper as he watched it sail past him into the corner of the net 3-1. The defender looked a bit dsitraught (as you would!), and the crowds sympathy was underwhelming (as you'd expect!).

Truan and Matt Newbery linked well to cut through the middle. Dyer latched on to the ball just inside the box and a cracking effort was well taken.

Elysee then produced a sliding tackle of exquisite quality needing Murray to pull his shorts from his rear end.

The game see sawed. Andover pushed forward and almost paid the price as Homer cut in from the left and unleashed a great strike that unfortunately went inches over the bar,

78 minutes gone and Andover's persistence was rewarded with a goal from a good strike just outside the box. 3-2.

The pace stepped up as both side went for another goal. We haven't got the capability of shutting up shop so had to 'go for it'.

On came Leon Lima for Martin Newbery. Spreading the ball around well, he was also tested for his defensive qualities as Andover tried the new pairing in the centre of mid field. The referee, cleary wishing to re-check Leon's more unusual name caught up with him and asked for it once more for his little yellow book. They couldn't break through the middle and we swung the game our way again.

Homer and Truan worked the ball down the flank. A cross found Dyer, Dyer found the keeper but not the net.

Lanahan made a late attempt to score but again an Andover deflection stopped an increase to our goal tally.