SYDENHAMS (WESSSEX) LEAGUE DIVISION ONE
SATURDAY 5TH MARCH 2011
VERWOOD TOWN 1 COWES SPORTS 1

It’s viewed a reasonable price to get into Potterne.

This coupled to an instant cure for insomniacs.... what a bargain.

The soporific start soon had heads nodding. Several spectators had chins on chest quickly. A slight clatter stirred one of the elderly, it was only a set of teeth dropping but fortunately didn’t cause too much disturbance.

Meanwhile on the pitch the ball flowed from one team to the other. The quality of passing was terrible. At one point we had three of our players being put in the hat for man of the match for Cowes.

We had to wait 14 minutes for a reasonable attack on goal. This was a half clearance from Lynch. Gajic headed on and Dyer had a shot deflected for a corner. In it came and out it went. Delaney intercepted a poor Cowes through ball and chipping into the box gave Haskell a chance to head for goal.

It was a charitable day. The keeper collected an easy effort and punting the ball straight upfield gave Elysee a chance to show some skill in trapping the missile. He failed.

Cowes got better. We didn’t. A good move down the left and a deep cross was well read by Delaney. A god ball wide to Aspin created a chance to progress. Aspin’s ball almost found one of our players and the interception sparked a move giving Cowes a golden opportunity to go ahead as they had space in the box. Luckily shooting boots had been left in Cowes. More attacks from Cowes all with the same result.... ball wide of goal.

We were getting slightly better. Dyer trying hard gave Elysee a chance to break free of his marker. A hard tackle with 42 minutes gone gave us a free kick. Up stepped Elysee and a rocket of a shot was mishit flying into the roof of the net to put us ahead 1-0.

Half Time 1-0

A massive change took place. Lynch and Delaney roasted the mid field. A spark, and we clicked.

Lanahan had come on for Scott and picked up a ball from Freeman. Pushing it wide to Murray, we broke free on the left. Haskell went wide and the cross was headed over the bar. Heartening stuff.

Our revival was short lived as Cowes retaliated and 53 minutes on the clock saw the ball in our box. A half clearance was seized on and the ball whistled past Tong to make it 1-1. Haskell and Aspin were well marked and a tight defence didn’t allow for much opportunity. Dyer released Gajic. A ball wide to Freeman and a good cross was inches wide of being turned in.

Cowes hit back. This time a chip over mid field found a player in space and a rasping drive was well held by Tong.

The increased energy level had woken some of the spectators giving them something to cheer about.

Cowes upped the quality of play and quick moves made us play. It got better as both sides opted to attack and with passing now 100% better we had something to watch that was worthwhile.

Freeman joined the forwards as Richards came on for Gajic and took the full back spot. Lanahan got in the thick of things and a good pass wide to Elysee opened up Cowes on their left. A cross low into the penalty spot area created a mad scramble. Aspin fell over, Haskell half hit for goal. It was kicked off the line. Back to Haskell and this time Haskell got his boot under it to hit a low flying Cessna.

A few spills and thrills followed but the game finished with a point each.

Result 1-1