SYDENHAMS LEAGUE (WESSEX) DIVISION ONE
SATURDAY 17TH APRIL 2010
ANDOVER NEW STREET 1 VERWOOD TOWN 5

he proposed team was decimated before we set off from the Sporting Club. Adie had to rope in some of the Ressies leaving Neville Munson and Nigel Watts with only nine players.

Within 3 minutes of the start we had gone close four times and won three corners that had been scrambled clear.

It was obvious Andover had suffered the same problems in getting players to the game as they settled in.

7 minutes a Mills / Harrison generated move released Newbery, a deep cross found Homer and a stinging shot was diverted for a corner.

10 minutes Mills lobbed the keeper but skimmed the top of the post.

A Homer snatched shot after seventeen minutes had the keeper beaten but went wide.

Andover rallied and a good move on their left provided space for a cross but the ball sailed high and wide.

27 minutes a Kelly inspired move carried on by Murray and Homer gave Newbery space and the result was a great poacher’s goal from inside the 6 yard box.

36 minutes and Andover shed their defensive pattern and found ourselves defending our area.

Fawcett was in action and made a couple of superb saves from a now what looked like an emerging rampant Andover.

40 minutes and it was Fawcett again making a block save from a 6 yard volley.

The ultimate threat was made at half time. No.12 on the team sheet....Adie Arnold....was it necessary for him to emerge again from his cocoon?

Kelly Evans Harrison a cross to Mills and a half volley went high over the bar. At least it was positive.

10 minutes and a back pass bobbled on a hard surface, the keeper skied the ball and Homer raced in to make a quick pass to Mills. A left foot shot low past the keeper’s left hand gave us a 3-0 lead.

The game steadied and for a while became a mid field tussle. Newbery dropped deeper and blocked access.

Noticeably Andover started making headway on our right and Munson supported by Evans were under pressure to close down the crosses. It was halfway through the half when Newbery broke free catching Andover pushing too far up field. Newbery shaped to score (a 3 yarder) and fell over as the ball bobbled over his foot.

23 minutes and Dyer ran free. Spotting Homer on the other flank a perfect ball fell at Homers feet and the rest meant a 4-0 scoreline.

31 minutes a Mills header went wide followed by a Newbery rocket that again flew wide.

Andover’s heads were down a bit and we gained territorial advantage. Over confidence......Andover broke quickly....a cross low into the box and a simple tap in...4-1.

A couple of close calls followed as Andover went on last ditch rally but we were solid enough to withstand the pressure.

92 minutes saw Andover deep into our half. Dyer won a strong tackle and slipped the ball to Homer. A ball round the back of the centre half and there was Mills to glide the ball over the keeper and into the top corner.

Result 5-1 Half Time 1-0