SYDENHAMS (WESSEX) LEAGUE DIVISION 1
SATURDAY 11TH SEPTEMBER 2010
HYTHE AND DIBDEN 2 VERWOOD TOWN 0

Wayne Rooney's recent reported escapades made for concern. Was there anything like this we had to guard against? Thankfully a quick questions and answer session proved we had nothing to fear. Not enough cash could be found singly nor collectively to hire a hooker.

H&D will always be a tough proposition so with still five of the squad missing we knew the task of collecting points from the fixture was going to be extra tough.

A plus was the return of the prodigal son Mark Jamison who slotted into a spot just behind the forwards and just in front of the two holding midfielders.

Only 27 seconds had elapsed when Haskell's through ball was intercepted. A poor back pass was followed up by Jamison and the keeper's rushed clearance smacked into Jamison's mid rift and skimmed past the post by only the width of a coat of varnish.

The keeper changed his underpants and Jamison returned to his role on the half way line.

A few minutes later we were still pressing and a good move on the right finished with a deep cross and a great save by the keeper denying Haskell a header.

Tong came alive with 20 minutes on the clock when a free kick was fumbled but a body block saved blushes.

Morrison's ball down the left gave Dyer a run and a cross was just missed by the diving Haskell.

It was now quite even with both sides intent on attack. Keeper's were good in their respective goal areas so it limited opportunities.

40 minutes gone and Delaney' cross field ball found Dyer. Cutting inside the defender Dyer unleashed a terrific shot that was blocked and cleared.

Half Time 0-0.

53 minutes we broke through the middle and Haskell's low shot was body blocked by the keeper. The corner swung in only for Haskell to head over the bar.

Another attack and Martin Smith caught an elbow over his eye that left the need for a hospital appointment. Adie shuffled the pack with Delaney dropping back to play alongside Lynch. On came Mills.

4 minutes later H&D strung a move together that let them into the box and a shot was saved by Tong's legs. The ball bounced around and then suffered a size 8 boot hoofing it past Tong. 0-1.

Haskell continued to be an aerial threat and was unlucky with a header that this time beat the keeper but went wide of the angle.

H&D keeper then produced ten minutes of superb handling and in doing so kept us off the score sheet.

Then we saw H&D step up pace and quality. Some good football split us on the left but Lynch was the influence in stopping danger with a great tackle ten yards from the flag.

Lynch then had to come off with a severe calf strain and on went Tom Freeman. Another shuffle saw Matt Dear go to sweeper spot and Matt Delaney to centre half.

Elysee had had a cracking game but then had to redouble his efforts as the new formation settled in.

Dear and Delaney soon gelled and we started to believe we could get the all important goal back. Dyer and Elysee tried shots but no sting in the tail.

6 minutes left of normal time left and a long ball meant a chase between our defenders and H&D attackers. A tumble in the box and the Ref decided he would add a bit of spice to the game and allocated a penalty. Tong went the right way but the ball evaded him and finished up in the net 0-2.

The game finished with a score line of 0-2 and all credit to the home side but we felt we were worth at least a point.