SYDENHAMS (WESSSEX) LEAGUE PREMIER DIVISION
SATURDAY 8TH DECEMBER 2012
VERWOOD TOWN 1 FAWLEY AFC 2

Fawley opened well and in the first couple of minutes made Delaney prove his worth when an attack broke to the edge of the box. Delaney's anticipation was spot on and a good tackle prevented a shot. Delaney slipped the ball back to Lynch for a long ball to find Satts out left. Satts chipped the ball for Murray to collect on an overlap and cutting inside Murray tried a shot but watched the keeper gather low on the near post.

Gajic sparked a move on the left and a low cross was diverted goalwards by Haskell. No power, so the keeper had an easy catch.

It was a brisk opening but we looked a bit lack lustre and gave room for a good passing Fawley side to dictate play.

11 minutes gone and Fawley cut through to fire a low volley from just inside the box. Lynch again produced as great save low left.

We strung a good move together five minutes later and forced a corner on the left. Haskell rose above the pack and watched his header beat the keeper but hoofed away from the foot of the post.

18 minutes and Fawley punished us with a good move through the middle. A ball wide left was quickly crossed and an unmarked player slipped the ball over the line to make it 0-1.

We were spasmodic with attacks and half way through the half put some decent passes together making good headway into Fawley's half. Webb was floored and the free kick was met by Delaney's head. The keeper flapped a hand to divert the ball and Haskell followed in with a blaster. The ball hit a defender and flew wide for Dyer to try a shot. Again it hit defenders and spun wide left. Satts followed in and tried to slip the ball past the keeper. The keepers legs must have been a transplant from Inspector Gadget as they seemed to double in length to deflect the ball away from goal.

That was about it from Verwood. It was as though we had expended as much of stored energy as we had and decided to sit back and re charge our batteries.

Fawley given room put some good football together forcing us to defend in numbers.

26 minutes and Lynch made a flying save. 29 minutes and Delaney hammered a clearance to the left. Saxby gathered, 0n to Haskell on to Dyer. A cross and the ball drifted across the area with no one following in.

The half continued with Fawley getting the best of play and going close a couple of times before the whistle.

Half time came….0-1.

James Murray's Saturday night excursions had played havoc with his groin and at half time gave way for Jack Smith to make a bow. A shuffle of the pack and Smith joined Delaney as a central defensive pairing.

Less than a minute had elapsed when we found ourselves in Fawley's goal area. It had been a long time since we had experienced a similar event so it was of no surprise for us to have forgotten what to do. The goalkeeper helped by stepping up and collecting the ball from a tip tapping session.

There was a greater urgency in our play and we edged possession. Gajic and Webb worked the ball through the central area with 5 minutes gone and a quick ball right found Evans overlapping. A high ball into the box and Haskell collected to clip the ball left to Satterley. A fierce drive beat the keeper evening the score line 1-1.

Dyer then almost put us in front with a volley after which Haskell screwed a shot wide of the upright and bar.

53 minutes we broke through again and Satts rounded off the move with a cross shot flying wide of the keeper. 54 minutes and Gajic watched his effort top the bar.

We had the better of the play at this stage but Fawley always looked dangerous on the break.

57 minutes and a good move in the centre of the park was stopped by Evans. His tackle was judged to be a booking offence and a yellow card flourished.

Half way through the half it was give and take. We had raised our standards and Fawley maintained a good passing and movement.

65 minutes, Dyer whipped a ball in from the left. Haskell went for it but the centre half edged it and the ball cleared for Gajic to run in and blast a moon shot.

64 minutes saw Saxby work the ball to Haskell…on to Webb…. another skyer.

68 minutes and Webbs cross was headed over the bar by Saxby. We couldn't find the net. We pushed up.

73 minutes and Fawley showed us how to convert. Space at the back was exploited and a run down the left remained unchecked allowing a right foot low shot from the edge of the six yard box to whistle past the advancing Lynch making it 1-2.

That was it. We tried to get back into the game and couldn't.

Result 1-2.