SYDENHAMS (WESSSEX) LEAGUE CUP - ROUND 2
TUESDAY 28TH AUGUST 2012
AFC PORTCHESTER 2 VERWOOD TOWN 1

The reward for our penalty shoot out victory over Hamworthy Utd was a tricky visit to our promotion rivals from last season AFC Portchester. Our task made harder by the absence of several key players for differing reasons. Both teams took their time to settle and early opportunities were in short supply. Verwood were first to show in terms of chances after 7 minutes when Gajic found Evans in space on the right and his 25 yard strike was well saved by the home keeper. Keeping our forward momentum going Matt Steer tried his luck with a shot from 20 yards. His effort was a little off target but reached Satterley at the far post and his first time shot was saved at point blank range. Portchester responded immediately with their first effort which was another long range shot which didn’t trouble Lynch in the Verwood goal. With 15 minutes on the clock the hosts were enjoying just the lion’s share of possession but not creating an awful lot to worry us.

16 minutes gone and a great cross from Elysee found Satterley at the far post but his cutback was snuffed out by the defence. On 23 minutes Anderton was making good ground down the left flank and his cross found Steer charging into the box but he couldn’t quite get enough on his header and the home goal remained intact. The first half hour had seen Portchester playing some very nice passing football but not inflicting much danger to our goal. Steer was probing from midfield and created an opening for Elysee who couldn’t convert the shot. 10 minutes of the half remaining saw a home corner swung in to our 6 yard box with pace but Lynch punched away well under pressure. Portchester were starting to create a bit more now and Delaney produced a superb challenge to stop a certain shot on goal from the edge of the box. Just before the break the home team’s best chance came when Delaney’s tackle bounced luckily for the forward and his shot from distance was superbly saved by Lynch.

Half-time 0-0

The second half was less than a minute old when a ball over the top of our defence seemed to bring about a mix-up between Kelly and Lynch and a very grateful forward was left with the easiest chance of the game and the home team led. 1-0

Verwood dug deep and did their best to respond. Gajic with the bit between his teeth won a good tackle in the centre circle and went on a great run which finished with a shot which sadly was wide of the target. On 55 minutes Edwards had picked up what looked like a nasty ankle injury and had to make way for Saxby. A quiet period of play followed, a good midfield battle but little happening at each end. On 66 minutes a cross field ball to the Portchester left side found the winger in oceans of space. He moved forward, picked his spot and hit a shot beyond Lynch’s despairing dive. 2-0

With 20 minutes to go Verwood started to respond. A great ball from Gajic to the far post was cut out for a corner which brought no reward. Then twice in two minutes Elysee found himself with a shooting opportunity after superb passes from Steer and Satterley. Unfortunately Elysee had left his shooting boots at home and both opportunities were missed. 15 minutes remaining and as we pushed forward more openings appeared for the hosts. A loose ball broke from a tackle on the edge of our box and a snap shot went wide. We had to take chances now. A foul on Satterley and the quick free kick was tapped to Delaney whose great strike from 25 yards was palmed over by the keeper.

Two minutes remained when Dyer’s header back across goal resulted in a Delaney snap shot that was deflected for a corner. From Dyer’s kick Elysee stole in at the near post and gave us a glimmer of hope with a firm header. 1-2

We did our best to rescue the tie. Into injury time and Saxby was found by a great Gajic pass, he cut inside but his shot was deflected and our last chance had gone. A good effort by the lads and a little unfortunate to suffer defeat.

F-T 2-1

Report submitted by Steve Jefferis