SYDENHAMS LEAGUE (WESSEX) DIVISION ONE
SATURDAY 23RD JANUARY 2010
VERWOOD TOWN 5 PETERSFIELD TOWN 2

This was our first match in 2010. The pitch had drained quite well after yet another soaking and we were looking forward to the game.

Petersfield were first to attack and Fawcett thankfully was alert enough to cover a rising shot from just outside the box.

Lynch was on top form and broke up a central raid, heading the ball back to Fawcett. Jamison collected the throw and threading the ball through the middle set up a counter attack. Baguley's effort whistled wide.

Fawcett, minutes later had to make a good save as Petersfield powered their way through our midfield and a rising shot had to be dealt with. Although a robust game tackles were clean and the game went end to end.

17 minutes gone and Newbery's persistence paid off when forcing the full back into giving away a corner. Lynch headed just over the bar.

5 minutes later Arnold's free kick dropped into the area and Newbery chanced an acrobatic overhead kick that was well held by the keeper. We were now enjoying more possession and 26 minutes gone had the ball in the net when Newbery floated the cross for Baguley to head past the keeper into the net. The line-person (a young lady dressed in black) flagged for offside.

A minute later another corner dropped in the box. Baguley spun and a left foot shot whipped past the keeper to put us one up. 1-0.

Petersfield, stung into action pushed hard and 31 minutes on the clock scored a great goal when a low cross from the right whistled into the box for it to be hammered past Fawcett. 1-1.

The half closed with an Arnold volley shaving the bar.

Half Time 1-1

More purpose was evident as we pushed forward in the second half. Kelly prompted and prodded. A good link with Homer split Petersfield at the back and a low drive was brilliantly saved by the visiting keeper.

50 minutes and the pressure paid off. Homer won a tussle in the box and a low left foot shot sped across the keeper for our secong of the game. 2-1.

Newbery came off giving Goodall a run and within five minutes of coming on an interpassing move between Goodall and Dyer opened up our visitors for Goodall to finish off the move with a shot the keeper did extremely well to save with feet.

59 minutes and Goodall bounced down the right whipped a deep cross and there was Baguley to rise above defenders to power a header low into the net. 3-1.

5 minutes later Homer rounded the advancing keeper and slid the ball into the net. 4-1.

Confidence was sky high. So much so that Fawcett judged a shot to the nth degree allowing it to hit the foot of the post and bounce back into his arms.

Murray and Kelly must have won day trip tickets. Both were found near the Petersfield corner flag when Fawcett tipped a shot round the post.

68 minutes and an Arnold free kick floated into the box. A header temporarily cleared danger but Homer judged the dropping ball perfectly to hammer a shot into the top corner. 5-1. It was Homer's first ever hat trick for the Club.

Petersfield's character then emerged. A torrid time followed as they pushed hard to score. A couple of shots should have found the net but poor finishes left the score line untouched until the 89th minute when a swerving shot baffled Fawcett to close the scoring at 5-2.

Final Score 5-2