SYDENHAMS (WESSSEX) LEAGUE PREMIER DIVISION
TUESDAY 23RD OCTOBER 2012
VERWOOD TOWN 1 FAREHAM TOWN 1

Fareham were out of the traps from the whistle. An attack from the right in the first minute was cleared by Kelly and then Lynch caught a delivery on the penalty spot.

3 minutes and Lynch was off his line to save at feet. A torrid start. We weathered the storm and Evans hit back down the right flank. Saxby cut inside and received the ball just outside the box. A shot went just wide.

It was good open football with our defence in these early stages looking a bit more suspect than Fareham's.

Dyer's industry in the middle of the park was welcome as we fought for possession. Gajic backed up and getting a share of the ball was key to our push for a goal.

Hill jinxed his way past a defender but was felled just outside the area buy a strong tackle. No foul but a sign of no prisoners.

The free kick was taken by Satterley. The ball on this occasion went high and wide instead of on target.

Haskell working hard up front closed down the centre back and the ball spun loose. Saxby cut in and tried a shot but the keeper made a confident catch just under the bar.

12 minutes and Fareham cut through a token defence. Out came Lynch. The ball was chipped and clipped the bar as it settled on the roof of the net.

Dyer, back to Smith, on to Hill across to Gajic a shot on the volley. Over the bar.

The game continued with end to end play and both sides keeping the Physios unemployed.

30 minutes and we forced a corner. Haskell won the header but the ball was headed clear. A break down the right caught us out. Evans must have done 100 yds in 3 seconds as he raced back to deflect the ball before a cross could be engineered. The throw was pumped into the box. Up went Lynch to make a great catch.

34 minutes and Kelly cleared. 36 minutes and Delaney calmly stroked the ball out of the area for Hill. Hill raced away, crossed, and Satterley shot wide.

In the closing minutes of the half Lynch again made a good save keeping the score line at 0-0.

Half Time 0-0

Within the first 2 minutes Fareham made two attacks one cleared by Kelly and the other caught by Lynch.

Dyer, Haskell and Satterley worked the ball forward finishing with Saxby receiving an inch perfect ball from Gajic to try a shot. A good keeper made it look easy.

2 minutes later it was our turn to defend and this time it was Smith making a strong header to take out danger.

13 minutes and Faeham steered the ball into the area. Quick feet created space and the ball whipped past Lynch. 1-0.

16 minutes Evans was the architect of a great break on the right. Linking with Saxby we had space for the first time in the half and Satterley rounded of the move with a rising shot clearing the bar.

Back into our half and Lynch had to race out of the box to hoof the ball up field. It was like watching a tennis match at this stage but …entertaining

We pushed on for the equalizer. Delaney tried a long range shot hoping to catch out the keeper but the ball was taken down and fed wide. Smith read the danger and raced across to slide tackle.

Haskell came into his own with a nifty shuffle to send his marker the wrong way. A ball down the line found Hill. Hill's cross was palmed away and Gajic's volley was tipped over the bar. Saxby took the corner. Haskell headed on but the ball was cleared off the line.

72 minutes and Gajic made way for Webb.

Webb got stuck in straight away. Winning a tussle in the middle of the park Webb slipped the ball wide for Saxby. Racing into space and taking the return gave an opportunity for a shot. Unselfishly Webb steered the ball wide for an advancing Kelly. A left foot blaster flew over the bar.

Satterley tried his luck just outside the area but the Fareham defence was resolute.

The game went end to end. A minute left and we forced a corner. In it came, up went Haskell and the ball rocketed into the roof of the net 1-1.

A frantic finish to the game followed as both teams went close but no more goals.

Result 1-1