SYDENHAMS (WESSSEX) LEAGUE PREMIER DIVISION
WEDNESDAY 20TH FEBRUARY 2013
VERWOOD TOWN 3 BEMERTON HEATH HARLEQUINS 1

We succumbed to a heavy defeat when we played Bemerton on the 18 August losing 1-4 and it could have been more. Bemerton were solid on the day proving lethal on the break particularly late in the second half.

We were ready for an early onslaught and true to form Bemerton hit early on the break. Kelly blocked a shot on the edge of the area and Smith got under a high ball to head clear.

We hit back through Webb. Gajic won a strong tackle on the touch line and slipping the ball to Dyer took the return to run clear. A low cross found Webb and a good shot on target was blocked by the full back. The ball spun free and in went Satts to hammer the ball back goalwards. Another stop on the line prevented an early lead.

11 minutes and Bemerton went free down the right. Dyer spotting the danger tracked back and a great tackle on the edge of the box stopped Lynch having to get his shirt dirty.

12 minutes and it was our turn. Satts turned his marker and a through ball to Burch gave space for a shot. A finger tip save flipped up in the air and Burch followed in to nod the ball into the back of the net. 1-0.

It was a bitter sweet goal for Burch against his old Club.

'Never rest on your laurels'. A minute after the Burch success a high ball into our box created a scramble and a half volley whipped through legs into the back of the net 1-1.

We got our heads right and produced some good stuff. Evans overlapping on the right was a feature and the movement from Satts and Burch created extra space.

17 minutes had Saxby opening up a gap and a ball to Satts gave space for a run on goal. A cross shot and Burch intercepted to chip the ball over the keeper to make it 2-1.

32 minutes and the best pass of the match came from Webb who split the defence to give Satts a one on one. The goalkeeper bettered Satts in this exchange.

Bemerton had been on the back foot but a rally in the latter part of the half gave a glimpse of the danger that could evolve if given space and time.

The half finished 2-1.

Bemerton's chat at half time triggered a storming start. Only three minutes gone and a left flank move split us wide open. A cross shot arrowed in on goal, but Lynch made a terrific diving save tipping the ball round the post

The corner swung in to the 6 yard box and a scramble to clear followed. Smith finally booted the ball to safety.

52 minutes and Dyer played in Satts. His shot was blocked and half cleared by the full back. In came Dyer to try an angled shot. The side netting was the recipient.

It was a good start to the half with both teams committed to attacking football.

Bemerton's keeper then saved with his feet as a low Webb shot almost crept in.

59 minutes Burch made way for Lovell.

We then went twenty minutes of mid field play. 79 minutes and Saxby's double shuffle took him past his marker. A ball through the defence, and there was Satts to take the ball into the corner of the box. An angled shot and Satts had his name on the score board. 3-1.

Stung into retaliation, Bemerton pushed us back and Jake Long came into his own as Bemerton pushed the ball wide to spread our defence. Long's reading of the game was first rate and a series of timely tackles became a feature.

Smith and Kelly's pairing in the centre of the back four was strong and resolute. We weathered the storm and got back our share of possession.

Webb took a bad knock and had to come off. Chris Hall came off the bench and was soon in the thick of things, winning a gutsy tackle and sending Saxby on a run. Saxby's progress was halted unceremoniously by a sliding tackle making him nose dive into the turf.

Bemerton almost had the ball in the net with a couple of minutes left as a dipping shot from just outside our area had Lynch scrambling back to palm the ball away from under the bar.

Dyer raced free in the dying seconds winning a corner. In it came and Lovell planted a header over the bar.

The game finished with a welcome three points in the bag.

Result 3-1