SYDENHAMS (WESSSEX) LEAGUE DIVISION ONE
TUESDAY 5TH APRIL 2011
PETERSFIELD TOWN 5 VERWOOD TOWN 2

Still smarting from the Tadley performance we turned up at Petersfield with just 12 players. It was a different twelve though from the mix that turned out at Tadley so we felt reasonably confident.

1 minute....Elysee flew down the right, a cross from the bye line and Murray hammered the ball over the bar. It was a good start and one that gave rise for optimism.

Delaney got under a long high clearance and excellent control pulled the ball in. A wide pass to Elysee set the road runner on his travels. Outstripping the full back Elysee slipped the ball across the front of the area and Dyer tried a shot on the turn that finished grazing the post.

Dyer and Gajic were enjoying possession in the middle of the park and an excellent piece of football released Haskell inside the box but the referee's assistant stopped enjoyment with a flapping flag indicating an offside.

We pressed forward. Haskell tried a shot then Aspin went clear only to put the ball wide.

14 minutes we had pushed up and got the classic reaction from a speedy home side forward line. A long ball, a quick run, and Fawcett was picking up leather from the back of the net. 0-1.

A minute later we out a high ball into the box and the keeper fumbled. Elysee pounced and made it 1-1.

16 minutes...straight from the kick off Petersfield strung a quick attack together through the middle and amazingly the ball finished up in the back of the net making it 1-2 without a serious challenge being made.

37 minutes we won a free kick 25 yards out. Elysee stepped up and the ball flew into the top corner sending the teams in at half time 2-2.

HALF TIME 2-2

The half time talk was to the point and left no doubts in any one's mind what was expected.

Petersfield players hadn't heard us so put us on the backfoot from the kick off.

49 minutes a good move down Petersfield left created space. A low ball across the edge of the box was met by Delaney's boot but a miscue put the ball straight up in the air. It dropped conveniently and a double shuffle threw our defence the wrong way allowing a volley to zip past Fawcett. 2-3.

Then it was Dan Fawcett's turn to have a moment of madness. Play in the middle of the park resulted in Petersfield hitting a long ball into our box. A runner followed in. Dan's confidence oozed as he bought the ball under control and casually dribbled round the runner. The ball didn't come out at the same time. He had failed miserably. The runner took the ball to one side and hit the post!!! It was a lesson learned.

64 minutes we won a free kick. Delaney's glancing header deserved a goal but it wasn't to be.

Petersfield won a free kick on the edge of their area. A long high ball fell just outside our area and lo and behold we only had Dan Fawcett resting between the sticks. No one else was in view as Petersfield made it 2-4.

We did try to get back into contention. Haskell had a shot palmed into the air. Elysee raced in but the keeper made it his at the second attempt.

Elysee then broke free, a deep cross and Aspin shot wide. Petersfield breathed easier as they watched us miss some golden opportunities. They didn't miss theirs.

91 minutes and a penalty was awarded to the home side. Fawcett went the right way but the ball finished up in the net.

The whistle blew on a gifted 2-5 result for Petersfield