SYDENHAMS (WESSSEX) LEAGUE DIVISION ONE
SATURDAY 23RD APRIL 2011
UNITED SERVICES PORTSMOUTH 1 VERWOOD TOWN 1

Still smarting from a 0-1 defeat a week ago we had to make several changes to the team but felt confident enough we could get a result from this fixture. We were conscious though of the USP status in the division acknowledging they wanted three points to make sure of third spot.

Aspin and Gajic made headway and got round the back of USP defence only to see the ball run out.

A long dead ball kick and Morrison rose high to head away from the area. Smith carried the ball forward and a looping ball wide left found Gajic. A pass inside the full back and we broke into the box. A good keeper raced out to sweep up the ball off feet.

Lynch had donned the gloves in the absence of keeper Fawcett. 8 minutes into the game and Lynch went low to his left to cover a cross shot that flew past the foot of the post.

Some good football from USP had us stretched but we were finding gaps to exploit and with 14 minutes gone Aspin had made ground on our right. A low cross found Haskell, quick feet delivered an angled shot but a very in form keeper flicked it round the post. In came the corner....a big fist, and the ball was cleared from the area.

24 minutes Dyer cut the ball back from the bye line and Webb tried a shot that was slightly miscued. Up it went in the air and Aspin then tried a volley that went wide.

28 minutes we saw a great move from USP and a cross and shot brought out the best from Lynch as he dived low across his goal line to palm the ball away from the bottom corner.

The next 15 minutes had both sides pegging away in each other’s half and although chances were available neither team could put the ball in the net.

Half Time 0-0

15 seconds from the whistle and USP caught us napping. The ball flew across the box and was diverted past Lynch to make it 0-1.

We were shell shocked and a couple of minutes later watched a player round three of our defenders. Lynch fortunately was able to make another superb save.

We seemed to have fallen apart with no apparent reason.

A long clearance from Matt dear found Haskell. A quick run away from his marker and a 20 yard shot was well held by the keeper.

19 minutes and a Gajic shot was part blocked. Aspin picked up the re bound but his shot went yards wide of the post.

3 minutes later we got what we deserved, a Haskell goal. Elysee won a tackle in our third. Going wide gave space for a line ball. Aspin benefitted and outpacing the defender chipped the ball into the six yard box. In came Haskell to plant a header past the keeper. 1-1.

The game opened up. Lynch was forced into a good catch from a high ball into the box and then a Dyer rocket was brilliantly saved by the keeper.

71 minutes and Morrison had to come off with a hamstring problem. On came Goodall.

We pressed forward. Haskell had a shot beaten out and then Gajic hit the rebound into a bunch of defenders. Dyer picked up the loose ball and a cracking shot took the varnish off the post.

We were on top for a time and Smith almost took us ahead with a good shot that was turned away by the keeper. Then it was USP to push us back.

Smith headed out from under the bar and Dear flung himself across the flight of the ball as we defended the point.

84 minutes and Lynch came out to tackle a lone runner. A red card and Elysee went into goal. It was frantic finish to the game but we dug in and earned the point from a 1-1 score line