SYDENHAMS (WESSEX) LEAGUE DIVISION ONE
SATURDAY 10TH MARCH 2012
RINGWOOD TOWN 1 VERWOOD TOWN 3

Ringwood's recent results and our need to gather three points towards top spot gave signs of a classic encounter.

We were first to attack. Good football cut through the middle via Smith and Webb. Gajic took over on the right and a head height cross was turned away for a corner. A half clearance fell to Dyer. A volley was blocked on the penalty spot and cleared.

A break on Ringwood's left gave space for a cross but Lynch was quickly out to smother the ball in the 6 yard box. A throw to Homer…on to Dyer and we progressed to the edge of the box. Haskell shielded the ball from the tackle and Satterley raced in to fire wide.

We stayed on the attack and Delaney with 6 min gone gave a wide ball for Evans to run on to. Evans found Haskell a ball back to Webb opened up a gap. Webb cut into the corner of the area and a low right foot half volley flew past the keeper. 1-0.

Ringwood, stung into retaliation, cut through on their right and a low ball across the box was well covered by Lynch.

12 minutes though and Ringwood's continued pressure paid off as we buckled on the edge of the box allowing space for a rasping low shot to whip past Lynch 1-1.

23 minutes and Ringwood could have gone ahead. A free kick floated into the area landed kindly but the shot was wayward and went wide.

Kelly rallied the defence and we steadied up. 2 minutes later Homer's free kick dropped into the box and a part clearance was picked up by Smith. A rising shot beat the keeper and took us ahead 2-1.

28 minutes we pushed up too far. A good Ringwood move on the right caught us short on numbers at the back and the cross went unhindered to the penalty spot. Evans was the hero racing in to take the ball clean away from danger.

Webb's tenacity in the middle of the park earned possession. A ball placed just in front of Homer was inch perfect for the cross. Up went Gajic and his header finished up in the back of the net. 3-1. So….with 32 minutes gone we had the upper hand and continued pressing Ringwood back to the edge of their box.

Satterley's shot with five minutes left was worthy of a fourth but a good strong Ringwood's keeper right hand flipped the ball away from the top corner.

Half Time 3-1

Straight from the kick off a hyped Ringwood moved the ball quickly down the left. Evans shadowed the play and on the corner flag made a great tackle to rob the ball. A pass inside to Webb and a return from Webb had Evans in space. A good cross found Dyer but a wall of players prevented the shot from troubling the keeper.

48 minutes Webb's fight for the ball in the middle paid off and breaking free tried a shot. The keeper did well but spilled it. A big boot cleared the danger and the ball fell to an unchallenged Ringwood mid field. We had seemingly lost the will to win challenges and stood off. It was weird.

Lynch had to punch clear from a corner and then raced to the edge of the box to beat a runner to the ball. Ringwood's pressure had us on the back foot for a while and we had to defend in numbers to take the heat off.

Smith pulled a hamstring on 60 minutes and on came Wrixton.

It was Wrixton who put us clear of mid field. A through ball to Haskell, on to Satterley a left foot shot and a brilliant save from the Ringwood keeper kept it at 3-1.

65 minutes Webb sent Satterley away. A chip over the keeper and the ball nestled in the back of the net. The linesman though had flagged for an offside….still 3-1.

71 minutes and frustration kicked in. Ringwood's bickering between players spilled over and a red card reduced them to 10 men. A shuffle of players and a defence stiffened to prevent us breaking through.

75 minutes, Dyer led a charge. Haskell was the recipient of a low cross. A turn and pass to Satterley, on to Webb then wide to Wrixton. The cross was covered and cleared.

Back we came with Satterley blazing over the bar.

82 minutes and we almost paid the price of pushing too many up field. A counter attack split us on the right. Kelly had read the danger and a brilliant tackle took the sting out.

Haskell tried a shot that flew over the bar followed by another Satterley shot hitting the side netting.

Homer came off for Kris Anderton to tread the turf but there were no more surprises and the game finished …. 3-1.