SYDENHAMS (WESSEX) LEAGUE CUP
WEDNESDAY 9TH NOVEMBER 2011
VERWOOD TOWN 1 NEW MILTON TOWN 2

Two last minute calls deprived us of Luke Homer and Ben Kelly. Luckily the squad depth was adequate to cope with the enforced changes.

The pace was quick, passing though left a lot to be desired. Too many balls were given away. Both teams were culprits.

In the first five minutes both sides had tried headers but without hitting the target. A couple of wayward shots went wide.

A Gajic 30 yarder looked to be an opener but finally bent away from the angle of bar and post. The dead ball kick was intercepted by Webb. A cross field ball found Gajic. A quick through ball released Dyer and the resultant volley went inches wide of the post. We were enjoying a fair share of possession but couldn't convert chances when in the area.

Haskell and Barnet tried shots and then with 23 minutes gone after Delaney had sparked a move on the right, we were caught napping. A quick raid down the right, a cross spelled a goal, but Evans made a cracking tackle to clear the danger.

A corner in the 28th minutes was headed over the bar by Haskell.

32 minutes gone and we paid for the missed opportunities. NMT won a corner and then showed us how to capitalise. A high ball on to the penalty spot was powered home giving NMT the lead. 1-0.

4 minutes later and another break through on the left gave an opening for a shot and this time the side netting took the brunt of the effort.

We struggled to impose ourselves for the rest of the half giving NMT an opportunity of stringing together some good football.

Half Time came......0-1.

Evans raced from the back went right and then threaded a ball to Haskell. The keeper came out quickly to narrow the angle and was successful in part blocking the shot. The rebound was hammered goalward by Edwards but a full back got in the way and the danger cleared.

5 minutes gone and Barnet linked with Haskell to get round the back of NMT defence. A return ball from Haskell gave space but Barnet's finish hit the side netting.

We continued attacking. Delaney joined in and a header skimmed the bar. Webb and Dyer went close but we were punished severely by pushing up and leaving space at the back. A long clearance sailed over Morrison and Delaney. Before Lynch could get to the ball a nippy forward lobbed the missile over Lynch and into the net 0-2.

58 minutes and Barnet came off to give Jack Slatterly a run.

While we settling Lynch had to make a great save at the feet of the centre forward as we lost a bit of concentration.

Haskell placed a header wide after an Evans pin point pass found him. Webb then shot wide and a Dyer rocket sailed over the bar.

Had we been able to finish we could have been a couple in front but we were woeful in front of the sticks.

NMT had a good five minutes on top, testing our mid field and back four but Lynch was having a good game as was Evans and Wilson.

71 minutes and Haskell's persistence paid off as a corner fell just right and his header was unstoppable. 1-2.

The final 19 minutes was end to end for the early part but with 5 minutes left we peppered NMT defence but couldn't get that all important equaliser.

Final score 1-2....exit WLC