SYDENHAMS (WESSSEX) LEAGUE DIVISION ONE
WEDNESDAY 16TH MARCH 2011
VERWOOD TOWN 2 STOCKBRIDGE 0

For a change we had a full squad ready for this fixture. Mike Haskell earned a well earned rest and took up two seats on the bench squeezing himself in next to Saxby Freeman and Adams.

We made a good start with Wrixton working the ball through the middle for Aspin to go clear of defence. The shot didn’t worry the keeper though. The keeper’s throw, wide right put Stockbridge on counter attack. Murray’s pace came in handy, cutting out the cross on the edge of the box.

Fawcett gave confidence with some excellent handling. Lynch and Delaney looked solid as a central pairing so we had a good platform to push forward and try our luck at scoring.

Webb came close to opening the scoring with a rasper but his radar wasn’t quite right and the trees stopped the ball reaching Ferndown.

Chas Gajic rounded his marker half way through the half but his cross was cleared by a thumping header.

Lynch joined attackers for a corner with 30 minutes n the clock and managed to place his header on the roof of the net.

Stockbridge carved us open shortly after but a half hit shot was easily gathered by Fawcett.

Matt Dear cleared the next attack with a great interception and racing forward created an excellent opportunity for Aspin to round the centre half and hit a rising volley that was able to compete as the highest ‘balloon’ on the night.

Stockbridge hit back and again it had to be Matt Dear under pressure as they opened us up on the their left.

Both sides didn’t have a clue when it came to finishing so the half ended with a 0-0 half time scoreline.

Fawcett had to make a great save as we took time to settle and Stockbridge took advantage with some good football, accurate in its passing and more shots on target.

We gradually worked our way into the game and a shot from Gajic heralded a more focussed effort to put the ball in the net.

Dyer crossed from the left, in went Webb and the keeper made a great save palming the ball wide.

Stockbridge worked the ball wide right. Delaney raced across and blocked the shot. Lynch picked up the re bound and a ball out to Elysee split Stockbridge defence. The ball whistled across the box and Aspin wasted no time in turning the ball past the keeper. 1-0.

On came Haskell and Saxby. We could have done with leaving everyone else on as well but kept to the rule book.

Haskell’s first touch was to have a crack from the edge of the box but the ball hit defenders and was cleared.

Stockbridge almost drew level with a good central move but the finishing shot went straight to a grateful Fawcett.

The game died a bit as both sides struggled to string moves together but failed as passes went astray.

Saxby had a run at the Stockbridge defence but was blocked on the edge of the box. Cutting the ball back to Wrixton it opened up a gap but the shot went straight to the keeper.

Elysee overlapped on the right. Haskell raced into space and the resultant shot was well held.

We needed another goal to make sure of the points as we seemed at risk from counter attacks. It didn’t look as if we could crack a solid defence before the end of the game but with a minute left on the clock Haskell had a half chance and the ball snuggled in the back of the net 2-0.

FULL TIME 2-0