SYDENHAMS (WESSSEX) LEAGUE PREMIER DIVISION
SATURDAY 17TH NOVEMBER 2012
TOTTON AND ELING 1 VERWOOD TOWN 3

Verwood saw one change to the line-up that had defeated Lymington during the previous week which meant Martin Smith returning to the side to replace the absent Brad Hill. The home team made the brighter start to the game and had an opportunity to open the scoring in the 4th minute when a strike from 8 yards out was brilliantly charged down by Smith. We were struggling to settle and shortly after that chance Lynch's throw went straight to an opponent but his shot was deflected off Kelly for Totton's second corner of the game. The kick found an opponent at the far post and his header goalwards cannoned back off the bar. Early Totton pressure continued and a foul by Delaney after 7 minutes saw the 25 yard free kick comfortably saved by Lynch. It's fair to say we had survived the first 10 minutes.

After weathering the early storm we were now coming into the game. Webb found Haskell on the edge of the box who turned the defender superbly but shot wide. 14 minutes and a dangerous free kick taken by Satterley was headed out under pressure by the defence for Verwood's first corner which caused no alarm for the hosts. Just as we were settling in to the match we were dealt a blow on 20 minutes when the Totton winger made his way in to our box, rode the first tackle but went down under the second and the penalty was awarded and duly converted. 1-0

The frustration of the penalty conceded galvanised us in to action and after 26 minutes we were level. A ball in to the Totton box was not cleared thanks to pressure from Evans and Webb quickly latched onto the loose ball and fired home off the post. 1-1. Just two minutes later Gajic's throw was flicked on by Haskell and with the home defence napping Evans just failed to get on the end of the loose ball. 41 minutes and Dyer was taking charge of the midfield and his pinpoint defence splitting pass put Evans through but he couldn't find the final ball from a good position. Totton were awarded another free kick from 25 yards out but again Lynch saved comfortably.

Half-Time 1-1

Totton again were sharper at the start of the second half and forced two corners in the first two minutes, the second one was headed just wide. Verwood responded superbly, Saxby was sent clear on 49 minutes, somehow avoiding being caught offside, and with just the keeper to beat coolly slotted home from 20 yards. 1-2. We were now looking dangerous every time we went forward and within minutes of his goal Saxby had another shot from outside the area but this was well saved by the keeper. On 56 minutes Gajic slipped past a defender and crossed to Haskell whose shot was deflected for a corner. From the kick Haskell timed his jump well at the far post but headed just over.

Totton still looked dangerous and on the hour mark a curling shot from the corner of the penalty box was narrowly wide. Straight up the other end and Haskell won the ball 40 yards out and sent Saxby away, his low cross to the far post found Gajic rushing in and his first time shot was off target. On 63 minutes more good work from Saxby on the right and his cross was missed by the centre half, Haskell was lurking behind him and from 8 yards out made no mistake. Haskell's third goal in three league games. 1-3

Totton were not out of this yet and were still pushing to get back into the game. A couple of shots came to nothing, one in particular from 10 yards out was a wasted opportunity. With 15 minutes to go Evans fouled the winger 30 yards out and received the first yellow card of the game, fairly harsh as it was no worse than any other foul in the match. 78 minutes and Webb and Satterley linked up well and set up Evans for an angled shot that was just wide. 7 minutes to go and Satterley had finished his work for the day and was replaced by Elysee. We held firm and Totton's last real chance on 90 minutes saw the forward dribble into the box and with the goal at his mercy shot wide.

Final Score 1-3.

Report submitted by Steve jefferis