SYDENHAMS LEAGUE (WESSEX) DIVISION ONE
SATURDAY 26TH DECEMBER 2009
RINGWOOD TOWN 1 VERWOOD TOWN 0

11 Father Christmas look a likes took to the pitch in Verwood's away colours. XXXXL shorts were the order of the day. The feeling of goodwill and giving was rampant.

Ringwood, conversely spoiled the party by wanting to win and got stuck in from the whistle. A yellow card was brandished to a Ringwood defender within a minute for a telling tackle on Russ Dyer. Had he asked Russ would have given him the ball anyway, after all it was Christmas.

The free kick drifted into the box and Baguley's downward header hit the foot of the post.

Despite overnight heavy rain and a downpour in the morning the pitch was in good condition but slippy. Ringwood adapted quickly. We took a bit longer to get accustomed. The play was scrappy for a period with the ball being given away regularly by both sides. Ringwood though, benefited from a willingness to work harder than us and second balls had their name on them.

Finishing was poor from both sides. Three good chances were blasted wide by Ringwood and a lone shot from Homer went over the bar.

Halfway through the half we were still trying to put together a reasonable attack whilst Ringwood kept on firing balls into the box as often as they could. Luckily they were as bad as us in front of the sticks. A couple of shots that were on target were well held by Fawcett.

With five minutes to go of the half we came to life. Goodall slammed a shot back at the keeper after a spill, the ball spun to Dyer, another shot blocked on the line and then Baguley tried a volley but yet again the keeper made a good save.

That was it. Half time 0-0.

Out we came for the second half Adie Arnold's Saxon English ringing in ears. Homer on to Goodall back to Murray a run to the bye line....a quick look and a deep cross found Baguley but the header went over the bar. It was a good sign. Unfortunately it was the only one.

Ringwood quickly got themselves back in the mix but yet again couldn't capitalise on openings in front of the sticks.

Our back four, Murray Jamison Lynch and Elysee worked hard but we couldn't string much together in mid field and up front. Yet again we held second spot in challenges for the ball up field.

Jamison stopped a central raid and then Lynch muscled his attacker off the ball just outside the box. Elysee was beginning to get space allowing a bit of overlapping. Crosses should have been converted but we couldn't test the keeper.

Ringwood had also become a bit lethargic and the game meandered.

58 minutes and a free kick was awarded to the home side. A floater dropped in the six yard box. Jamison swung a boot and Fawcett had no chance as the ball nestled in the bottom corner. 0-1.

We managed to maintain our peace and goodwill act giving Ringwood one of their easier games of the season. They had to work a little bit to keep us out of their area but almost spoiled their day allowing Dyer space to go close with a rasping 25 yard drive that hit the bar and spun out of play.

We did put together a bit of pressure for a while but again Ringwood dug in and cloaked their area.

We left a couple of gaps here and there as we pushed on but yet again Ringwood couldn't maximise and the game filtered towards the whistle.

Finally it blew and a precious three points had gone to Ringwood.

Final score 0-1.