WESSEX LEAGUE CUP
TUESDAY 16TH NOVEMBER 2010
BOURNEMOUTH POPPIES 3 VERWOOD TOWN 0

We were out of the blocks for this one and Webb's chip into the area in the first couple of minutes should have been buried but a miscue by Haskell let Poppies off the hook.

8 minutes we earned a free kick. Elysee took it and the keeper brought off a flying save to give away a corner. The corner was low but we couldn't connect and the ball was cleared high and wide.

Only another minute and Delaney moved forward to hammer a great drive that hit the bar and spun out of play.

We should have been in front but bad news in front of goal was the pitfall.

Poppies moved the ball well and got on top for a while. Murray and Elysee made excellent stops from flank players and Lynch and Morrison made a solid pairing at the back. Delaney's new job in holding space in front of the defence looked as if it was working OK as we weathered a barrage of attacks from a team stung into retaliation.

Fawcett made a brilliant save from an angled shot and then Haskell slammed an effort just wide at the other end with the keeper beaten.

Webb and King combined on the right and found a gap that King used to float a ball to Dyer. Dyer's shot on the edge of the box was tipped over the bar. In came the corner and Haskell put the ball on the roof of the net.

Poppies then had a good spell as we were forced to defend in numbers. Murray's boot cleared one attack with Fawcett beaten but then Elysee headed off the line as we blocked access to the net.

44 minutes and another cross dipped into the box. Fawcett's immaculate handling had escaped briefly so the ball was gently nodded down for a tap in.

Half Time 0-1.

Only a minute had elapsed when the ball dropped onto the edge of the box and while we were still gathering our thoughts the ball sat in the back of the net 0-2.

We became erratic. Passing was a problem and we looked a shadow of our first half presentation.

53 minutes and we let the ball drift to the edge of the box. A good turn, a low drive and we were three down. 0-3.

We did have some character and began a mini fight back. Delaney rallied from the back and then Saxby broke free to try a shot but it went wide.

60 minutes and Elysee overlapped on the right. A cut back to Haskell and a rasping shot was well saved.

The keeper's long kick was well read and Morrison won the header. Back it went into Poppies half and King won the tussle. Wide to Dyer. Dyer to Lynch and we broke through to the edge of the box. Lynch chipped a great ball onto the spot but Haskell's half shot was easily gathered.

The game flowed to and fro with both sides looking for a goal. Fawcett made a couple good saves and then Poppies keeper did the same from King and Haskell.

It didn't look as if any further goals would be added. Both sides were defending well with Poppies just shading possession.

Delaney moved up for a corner, Lynch crept in and it was Lynch's header that clipped the bar. Delaney followed the ball and hooked it back into the area, up went Haskell but the keeper yet again wasn't troubled.

88 minutes we broke on the left. A cross was met by Elysee.....the story of the night was a shaking crossbar.

Full Time 0-3. Exit the Wessex Cup.