FA CCARLSBERG VASE - 1ST ROUND QUALIFYING
SATURDAY 1ST SEPTEMBER 2012
VERWOOD TOWN 2 HAYLING UNITED 2

FA Vase conjures up a bit of excitement and for the Club’s treasurer the possibility of something in the Bank. So here we were with a game against one of Premier Leagues better sides.

Lynch raced out to smother an attack on goal and then Evans hoofed the ball away from danger as Hayling forced the pace. It shook us up a bit so with 10 minutes gone we responded with a Dyer effort that hit Gajic. Gajic spun and tried a shot but the ball flew wide.

2 minutes later Dyer floated a cracking ball onto the penalty spot and it was Gajic again rising above defenders but heading over the bar.

We were carrying the game at this stage but Hayling always looked dangerous on the break. Delaney and Kelly worked hard to block ariel attacks and supported well by Evans sweeping up debris.

As usual we switched off for a while, giving brain cells a chance to rejuvenate. Hayling pushed forward to test Lynch. Lynch made a great catch under pressure as the ball floated in.

Mark Beverley and Andy Dartson gave vent to very basic Anglo Saxon in an effort to generate some constant level of intelligence. It was real hit and miss.

It seemed to have worked as Webb reacted with a good move down the right. A deep cross found Gajic. Wide.

Saxby rooted the ball out of a tackle and a good rising shot from the edge of the box suffered the same fate as most of our efforts…over the bar.

Hayling then worked the ball down their right and a cross was plucked out of the air by a very much on form Lynch.

4 minutes later it was Hayling again making the running and a melee in the box was finally hit for goal by an acrobatic scissor kick. Luckily Hayling’s forwards were very much like ours on the day, missing golden opportunities.

Matt Steer broke free down the right with 36 minutes gone. The keeper had raced out but Steer rounded him. A pass back from the dead ball line found Gajic and an angled chip for goal landed on top of the net!!!

A minute later Saxby broke into the box and tried a volley. The ball was returned later from the Chinese Takeway on Manor Road.

Half Time 0-0.

The dressing room chat fell on deaf ears.

1min 46 seconds and a pass into our box was gently gathered by a Hayling forward and stroked home past a frustrated Lynch. 0-1.

How we moved through Hayling’s defence on 48 minutes we will never know. It was a passing move resulting with the ball dropping on Gajic’s head. In keeping with our style…Wide. We had no urgency at all. In fact the Club could market this type of performance in curing insomniacs.

53 minutes and a gentle bobbling shot from Batchelor was gathered by a grateful keeper.

Being charity week, Hayling moved down the right, no urgency required, and a flank player dropped a nice cross on to a head. Whose it was didn’t matter. The ball fortunately shaded the bar.

62 minutes and we found ourselves in Haylings box. Hill hit a half volley and Gajic steered the shot goalwards. A defender diverted the ball just enough to skip past the keeper. 1-1.

Those in the stand who had developed a gentle snoring routine woke up to a better approach and Smith gave hope with a rising shot that skimmed the bar.

Movement was a bit crisper, with Hill showing up well on the left despite a cracked rib.

66 minutes Evans made ground and unleashed a rocket of a shot that the keeper brilliantly palmed away. Hill following in took aim…..and missed the ball completely.

3 minutes later the game was getting better and Hayling won a corner. An outswinger found feet and a volley destined for the top corner of the net was brilliantly saved by Lynch.

At 90 minutes 1-1. Extra Time…..

93 minutes Gajic placed a curling shot across the face of goal. In swept Saxby to side foot home. 2-1. Both sides were looking tired.

94 minutes and a charitable Verwood stood back to let a shot from just inside the box beat Lynch to make it 2-2.

120 minutes 2-2.