SYDENHAMS (WESSSEX) LEAGUE PREMIER DIVISION
SATURDAY 5TH JANUARY 2013
VERWOOD TOWN 0 BLACKFIELD AND LANGLEY 3

Five games, one after the other postponed, and Christmas in between. We were desperate for a game and what better for us than a one against Blackfield & Langley who must rank as one of the better contenders for promotion this season.

B&L eased their way into the game with a good move down their right and a deep cross tested Lynch. A good catch, a quick throw and a counter attack gave Satts a chance of a shot. A good header cleared the danger.

A brisk opening with both teams pushing on attack gave the spectators something to warm to.

Lynch became the more active of the keepers as B&L pushed us back. Smith and Kelly both cleared dangerous crosses with good headers and Evans blocked one volley that was heading for the top corner.

Dyer and Goodall moved the ball left and Dyer cutting inside earned a free kick as he was dropped unceremoniously just outside the box. Gajic stepped up to hammer the ball over the bar.

Back came B&L and this time it was Smith who got his head under a high cross to clear the box.

We had to wait until half way through the half for some decent attacking moves between the mid field and forwards. Dyer threaded a great pass through a packed defence for Satts to fire a shot wide of the upright. Goodall then tried a long range shot but a very good keeper looked untroubled.

26 minutes and Lovell rose like an aged Salmon to head down for Satts to shoot over the bar. Lovell then again got on the end of a Kelly long ball but the keeper took a low catch.

30 minutes and B&L punished us with a break through the middle releasing an unmarked forward to slot the ball past Lynch. 0-1.

40 minutes another break through the middle of the park gave a clear opportunity for a shot on target…no mistake..0-2.

42 minutes found us still under the cosh. Evans and Smith worked their socks off keeping the flanks tight to the line but a ball across the middle gave room for a rising shot that whistled past Lynch to send us in at half time 0-3.

Half Time 0-3

Adie Arnold and Andy Darnton's chat at half time looked as if it had been effective. Less than a minute old and Webb moved the ball wide to Satts. Cutting inside Satts made ground into the box. The keeper made an excellent save at feet.

Lovell shielded a Kelly pass from a defender and a flick to his left gave Gajic space. Gajic moved inside his marker and unleashed a great effort that whipped over the bar.

Back came B&L. A great move with quick passing split us on the left and the resultant shot on target would have been number 4 had it not been for a tremendous Lynch save.

Evans broke away down the right. A ball inside to Satts was slipped back past the full back. Evans hit the bye line and a cut back gave Lovell a chance of a snap shot. The keeper yet again was down quick to his left to stop the ball crossing the line.

B&L raided the right, a deep cross was headed back and a shot from the edge of the box was punched clear by Lynch. Back in it came and Lynch palmed away for a corner. The ball drifted over the bar for a dead ball kick.

Lovell came off to give Jack Jones a run in the middle. Goodall moved up front to partner Satterley.

Webb and Dyer ran free out of the middle. A ball left found Satts. A low cross found Jack Smith inside the area. We were then treated to a Fred Astaire double shuffle as Smith spun round his marker to fire the ball wide.

We were certainly performing better and had B&L pegged for a while in their third. Satts shot wide, Gajic shot over and Jones tested a good keeper with a half volley. We couldn't break the habit of not converting efforts.

Satts then hit the bar with no one following in.

83 minutes gone and Goodall gave room for Gilham's first run out for the first team. A minute later he was joined by Kimber, again making a debut apearance.

Both youngsters contributed to a late rally but we couldn't break through for a consolation goal and had to concede to a better side on the day.

Result 0-3