WESSEX LEAGUE CUP ROUND 2
TUESDAY 13TH OCTOBER 2009
BROCKENHURST 4 VERWOOD TOWN 2

Only five minutes had elapsed when Kris Anderton had to come off injured. This time it was a genuine knock and not just pride. On came James Murray, bandaged legs and looking like something that had emerged from an Egyptian dig. Chas Elysee was away having his tag replaced so Dean Evans stepped in at right back. The central defensive pairing of Lynch and Jamison was again on view. A couple of other changes gave us a different slant but the bench was strengthened with the addition of Methusaleh Arnold.

The opening stages were tentative. Not too much goal area activity much more of a sounding out in midfield.

Faulkner and Arnold were battling away together and the first real salvo from Brockenhurst was dealt with confidently by Jamison and Lynch. Fawcett looked alert and competently dealt with a couple of shots that crept through.

Dyer had a crack at goal picking up a laid back ball from Baguley but the keeper didn't appear troubled.

17 minutes though we buckled and Brockenhurst scored with a shot that we should have dealt with. 0-1.

Truan used his pace and guile to get free of his marker and a cross was side footed towards the net by Baguley. The keeper read it well and safely gathered the effort. Arnold battled for the throw and sent away Dyer. A deep cross found Homer and a rasping shot was cleared from danger.

Then, up went Jamison for a high ball and a terrific header levelled the scores. 1-1.

We pushed on and exposed a weakened defence. A counter attack caught us cold and the ball hit the net for Brockenhurst to go in front again. 1-2.

Half time 1-2.

We began the half confidently, carrying the game to Brock. It was good football with both teams keeping a clean flowing game.

52 minutes we got caught pushing too far forward and Brockenhurst took the opportunity to hit us with another goal....1-3.

Baguley switched play with a cross filed ball then raced on for Homer's return. The half volley should have warranted a goal but the side netting was the recipient of the shot.

We were playing well so didn't feel a Brockenhurst goal scored after 65 minutes was justifiable. Problem though...it counted.... 1-4.

No heads dropped and we again carried the game to the home team. Dyer moved through midfield and linking with Baguley broke through to the edge of the box to try a shot. The keeper saved and a quick throw sprung a counter attack. Murray closed quickly and a good solid tackle stopped the raid on goal.

82 minutes and a reward for persistence came in the form of a Faulkner rocket that flew past the keeper to make it 2-4.

Brock tightened their defence and it was a classic last few minutes as we strove hard to increase our tally and Brock using their experience to maximum kept the ball as often as possible to close the game down.

Baguley again had a hard luck story to relate as a good effort was cleared off the line and then Homer's cross was inches short of being converted to a goal by Faulkner.

The minutes ticked away as we pushed forward. The occasional counter attack was always a threat but Fawcett was equal to anything that escaped the back four.

Jamison again was enjoying a good game and the pairing with Lynch is as solid as anything else in the Wessex league.

We lost 2-4 but thoroughly enjoyed the encounter.