SYDENHAMS (WESSSEX) LEAGUE PREMIER DIVISION
SATURDAY 16TH FEBRUARY 2013
FAREHAM TOWN 1 VERWOOD TOWN 1

The message from Adie Arnold and Andy Dartson before the game…'If you want to test yourself against one of the better teams, today's the day'.

The first 3 minutes was all about Fareham's pressure on our defence. It took a Saxby tackle on the edge of the box to stop a direct shot, and then Saxby turned defending into attacking mode with a great ball to Satterley. Satts spotted Ryan Long racing free but an offside whistle stopped the run on goal. That was about it for a while. Fareham knocked the ball about well and we struggled to get movement.

Gajic had a dipping shot clip the bar after 15 minutes and this seemed to trigger an urgency. Dyer and Webb combined to open up the middle of the park freeing Saxby for a run on goal. The keeper didn't seem troubled by the effort taking the ball under the bar.

18 minutes saw Evans steam down the right and a low cross found Long. Despite being wedged between defenders Long got his shot away giving the keeper a chance to show his handling capabilities.

The game was evening up in terms of possession but Fareham looked the most likely to score.

20 minutes and pressure down Fareham;s right had O'Connell racing with his opposite number to cut out the chance of a cross.

23 minutes had Satts smashing a volley that the keeper punched away from the six yard box. In swept Webb but his low shot skipped just wide of the post.

Fareham got back on top with some excellent football but we looked solid and Lynch was in great form.

We battled away in midfield with Webb having a tremendous impact.

32 minutes though and a cross was connected with a diving header that was just out of Lynch's grasp and the ball crept over the line to put Fareham ahead. 0-1.

We pressed forward and first Long then Gajic had shots blocked in the box. Fareham;s counter attacking was first class at this stage so Evans and O'Connell had their work cut out stemming flank players from reaching the area,

Both goal areas had activity towards the end of the half but the score line remained ….

Half Time 0-1.

We had to step up a gear in the second half if we wanted a share of the spoils or indeed all of them.

Webb led the way. Pressing his claim to the territory and ably assisted by Dyer we gradually got on top. Gajic and Long combined to crack open Fareham's defence on the edge of the box and a raking shot from Long flew just over the angle of bar and post.

Fareham hit back from the dead ball kick and a high ball into our box was shadowed by Smith. A long leg cleared the danger but only for a short while. The ball; went wide left. Another cross and Smith again was the difference as he got under the ball and hoofed it clear.

Evans broke right. Satts moved into space, on to Saxby then Webb. Progress had taken us to the edge of the box and Satts hit a low shot for the corner of the net. The keeper did well in taking a good catch.

53 minutes and Saxby whipped a cross low for Dyer to try his luck. The ball flew high and wide.

A minute later Satts threaded his way past two defenders but his pass into the area was cleared easily.

Fareham's turn….a break down their left was blocked by Evans. The ball spun free and an opportunity shot was palmed clear by Lynch.

Evans collected the dead ball kick and slipped past his marker. A pass inside was returned by Satts and Evans shot went just over the bar.

Gajic then planted a header over the bar as we pressed forward. Smith and Kelly though had to be on their game as Fareham;s quality on the break could hurt.

Long had a shot turned away and then Lynch had to perform acrobatically palming away a cracking effort heading for the top corner.

76 minutes and Burch came on for Gajic.

78 minutes, Webb forced way through two tackles and chipping the ball into the box gave space for Burch to rap the ball past the keeper for the leveler. 1-1.

The last 12 minutes had both areas active but the score finished ……1-1.