PRE-SEASON FRIENDLY
SATURDAY 30TH AUGUST 2011
DOWNTON 3 VERWOOD TOWN 0

A sultry afternoon didn't stop a quick start. Both sides were intent on playing god open football so within minutes of the start we saw a couple of attempts on goal.

5 minutes old and Rogers raced away down the right outstripping the full back. The keeper came out to narrow the opportunity and forced Rogers into chipping for goal. The top of the net bulged but on the wrong side.

Hatch then hit a volley bringing a tremendous save from the keeper as we continued on top.

A clearance from Downton's defence found the right flank clear and a late tackle from Evans gave away a free kick just outside the box. Fawcett was forced to make a great save at the foot of the post.

Downton became more accurate with their distribution and some good football followed to peg us back in our half.

Walton worked hard alongside Brown but Lovell was the stalwart picking off danger in the air.

11 min a corner swung in and Haskell was the man of the moment heading the ball off the line.

Half way through the half we broke through the middle with Haskell taking the ball away from the defender. A perfect back pass found Walton and a right foot drive flew wide of the post.

28 minutes and a Haskell rocket was tipped round the post by the keeper. We were slightly on top but a clinical Downton taught us how to finish with a simple cross and tap in with 5 minutes left.

We sagged and a minute left on the clock Downton tapped in number 2 as we gave them total freedom in the area.

Half Time 0-2.

30 seconds Lovell went wide and chipped a ball into the box for Haskell to make a diving header. The ball flew into the net. The ref blew his whistle but didn't award the goal. Instead he booked a Downton player who had sworn and the ref booked him and sent him off !!!

8 minutes and Downton got round the back of our defence. A hard mid height cross was met with a diving header but flew over the bar.

2 minutes later again we opened up to allow a chip ball to clear defence and sail over Fawcett. 0-3.

15 minutes and Lynch came on for Lovell. An immediate introduction to the game was a high delivery that Lynch managed to get to and clear with a thumping header.

Hatch sung a boot 25 yards out and the connection brought out a brilliant save from the keeper.

Haskell's turn and volley was finger tipped over the bar. The corner was safely gathered. The keeper was a major difference between the sides.

Aspin went wide to collect a Haskell ball and Brown continued the move with a daisy cutter the keeper did well to hold.

Evans was having a stormer. Good defending and linking with forwards was his particular forte and we almost had the ball in the net when he released Rogers but only to see Rogers effort swept up yet again by a very much in form keeper.

74 minutes White came on for Rogers.

75 minutes Rogers came on for White.

We wilted more than Downton towards the end of the game but both sides looked tired and ready for the bar.

Final score 0-3