FA CUP EXTRA PRELIMINARY ROUND
SATURDAY 11TH AUGUST 2012
EAST COWES VICTORIA 3 VERWOOD TOWN 2

Our first game in the FA Cup this season. East Cowes Vics meant a strong challenge.

We kicked off well. Webb worked down the right and floated a ball into the box, Gajic won the tussle but watched as the ball cleared the bar.

Evans and Satterley made way down the right and Satterley's cross found Edwards cutting in from the left, a good shot this time on target was cleared.

A long clearance from Vics defence had Delaney back pedaling and excellent control played in Kelly. Wide to Elysee, on to Hill and we made progress again into Vics defence. A cross and Dyer hit the side netting.

18 minutes and Vics broke through as we presented a square back four allowing them to race through. Lynch came quickly off his line and body blocked a hard low shot.

20 minutes and we got caught yet again as a long ball was threaded through our back line and a shot on the run was well caught by Lynch. The warning signs were there.

Route one with 30 minutes gone was swept up by Evans. Two minutes later we reacted with Dyer hitting a fierce rising shot for goal. The keeper did well to palm out, in came Edwards, a low shot was cleared out of the area.

33 minutes VIcs broke away on the right. A simple pass inside and a ball clipped through on the floor gave space for a run on goal. Elysee sprinted across and made a brilliant tackle to clear.

2 minutes later a mirror image as Vics split us through the middle. It was Elysee who was again our saviour.

We got back into the game with five minutes to go. Satterley slammed a cross shot that brought out a fine save from the keeper.

Two minutes later Evans broke free on the right. A deep cross was met by Satterley bringing a tremendous save from the home keeper as a flying dive tipped the ball away for a corner.

In came the inswinger and a high keeper fist cleared the area.

Half Time came …..0-0

We needed to improve in this half as we had been found wanting in the middle of the park and not coping too well with the long ball.

2 minutes Satterley cut inside from the right. Evans raced wide. Satterley gathered the ball from Evans and tried a shot. The ball was blocked by a full back. Satterley followed in and a shot destined for the bottom corner was well taken by the keeper.

4 minutes and after pressure on goal the ball was half cleared from Vics area. In came Delaney and swerving volley beat the keeper and nestled in the back of the net. 1-0.

5 minutes and Edwards cut in from the right, squared the ball across the box and in came Satterley to this time hit the back of the net. 2-0.

We had a grip on the game at this stage and should have gone three up with a shot from Edwards beating the keeper but going wide.

8 minutes and a long clearance from Vics defence let in a runner. Lynch was alert enough to gather the ball.

A free Kick was floated and a static Verwood defence watched as a free header was planted goalward. Lynch fortunately was extra alert and good hands took the ball from under the bar.

We hit back. Webb won a strong tackle outside the Vics box and offloaded the ball to a running Satterley. A shot on the turn was beaten out and cleared.

We became complacent. 57 minutes, a high ball into the box gave an unmarked player a chance and 2-1 score line was the result.

We had chances with 60 minutes gone but couldn't convert. The danger though was in the direct launch and runners. For some inexplicable reason we stood off and allowed the backs to launch and give runners free space. The middle of the park became a barren land.

Pressure came on strong as Vics sussed us and continued arrowing the ball from the backs wide to flanks and occasionally sending away central runners.

85 minutes we cracked. Typical…long ball …runner..2-2. 93 minutes a free kick edge of area beat Lynch 2-3.

We got what we deserved … nothing. Best of luck to ECV in their next round against Sholing Sports.

Result 2-3