SYDENHAMS (WESSSEX) LEAGUE DIVISION ONE
THURSDAY 24TH FEBRUARY 2011
ANDOVER NEW STREET 0 VERWOOD TOWN 1

Andover pinched three points from us when we played at home 3rd January and we needed to reverse that loss.

We had a good squad but equally saw a good Andover side emerge from the tunnel.

Saxby made the running in the first minute breaking on the right and delivering a great cross to the far post. Haskell, agonisingly was inches from tucking the ball into the net. It would have been a dream start.

Andover's style on the night was a very direct approach and from the dead ball kick a long ball was chased down by the centre forward. Lynch won the header and Lanahan swept the ball wide to Webb. A quick turn and Webb chipped the full back for Haskell to run on to. A left foot shot from just outside the box fell to a good keeper.

We stayed on top but the fear was always there that Andover's game could catch us out if we lost discipline.

12 minutes a Delaney delivery into the area was met by Haskell's head and we went one up as the ball skipped past the keeper. 1-0.

Back came Andover. A high ball was cleared by Lynch and then a cross ball was cut out by Delaney as Andover pressed us back. Elysee and Dear on the flanks were busy keeping opportunities for crosses down to a minimum and Dyer spring boarded attacks from the middle of the park picking up Delaney, Dear and Elysee passes.

Lynch was winning the heading battle against a robust forward and we were forced to fight for every ball as pressure stepped up.

Tong made a couple of good saves and then we survived an onslaught in the box clearing finally for Aspin to collect the free ball and try a shot from 25yards that whistled over the bar.

Half Time 1-0

Would Andover tire? Not a bit of it. They wanted the ball and fought every inch of the way.

We wriggled free from the centre of the park and Dyer raced away but was dropped unceremoniously just outside the area. Dyer elected to take the free kick himself and watched with bated breath as the ball curved slightly but skimmed the wrong side of the post.

Haskell was closely marked and did well to hold up the ball several times allowing Aspin and Lanahan time to move into open positions.

Andover blocked their area. It was like a human wall. We should have had a bit more guile to break through but all credit to the home side, we couldn't find the net and they made sure space was limited.

A sweeping move on Andover's right broke through and a rasping shot brought a great save from Tong.

We found ourselves pegged back. Delaney and Lynch were well occupied and Dear and Elysee produced a series of tackles stopping crosses from just outside the box.

Saxby and Webb toiled away helping back and it made a massive difference. We gradually worked back into an attacking mode and Aspin and Haskell went close with shots that the keeper covered well.

Delaney moved forward and an inch perfect Saxby cross was met on the volley. Goal written all over it? The keeper again made a fantastic save.

64 minutes and Dyer made a brilliant run, cut in from the bye line and a low cross found Haskell. A half volley was blocked on the line. Aspin tried a shot from the re bound and again the keeper palmed the ball away. Haskell caught the ball just right but yet again the home side had players on the line and with a keeper on top of his game the ball found itself in our half from a long clearance. A runner and we almost lost the lead as a cracking shot was hit from just outside the box. Tong kept the sheet clean.

It was a good solid game and welcome win 1-0.