SYDENHAMS (WESSSEX) LEAGUE PREMIER DIVISION
WEDNESDAY 3RD MARCH 2013
VERWOOD TOWN 4 ALTON TOWN 0

Chris Lynch was unavailable for this game so Dan Fawcett made his annual appearance in goal. A couple of other changes had to be made but it was a strong squad with Burch Hall Dyer and O'Sullivan occupying bench space.

Alton made the initial running and with 4 minutes gone a free kick awarded just outside the area was floated in, skimming the angle and upright. 2 minutes later a quick raid down the right finished with a cross well taken by Fawcett.

The game was brisk with both sides committed to attack.

9 minutes and an attack on the left was broken up by Evans. A line ball found Saxby. Saxby's run took him into the area and a shot was deflected by the full back.

22 minutes a move involving Webb Evans and Dyer gave Dyer a chance to cross. Haskell's glancing header beat the keeper to put us ahead 1-0.

Matt Oldring's clearance on 26 minutes was crucial. Alton's pressure was intense and a goal at this stage would have really put their tails up.

We worked our way through the onslaught and a Kelly Hill Saxby combination took us into the last third. Haskell's movement opened a gap for Satterly to try a shot. The ball whipped past the post.

Alton hit back testing the Kelly / Oldring partnership. Oldring headed clear then Kelly provided a boot to lift the ball to safety.

Fawcett, as safe as ever had to make one or two saves as Alton pressed forward.

31 minutes and Haskell collected a Webb through ball. Moving right Haskell hit a rising right foot shot from the edge of the box and put his name again on the score board.

We managed to stay on the attack. Saxby went free only to be whistled up for offside. Dyer hit a shot over the bar and a Gajic header bounced off the bar.

A brief counter attack brought a good save from Fawcett but we then had a purple patch for the last couple of minutes of the half.

A minute left and Saxby whipped a hard head high cross into the box and there was Haskell to plant his header past the keeper and secure a first half hat trick.

Half Time 3-0.

Only 5 minutes had elapsed and Gajic almost made it 4-0 as he rounded the full back but saw his shot well taken by the keeper.

Oldring linked up with Saxby, the ball then played in to Saterley and a looping shot went over the bar.

We were enjoying the Lion's share of the ball but Alton always looked dangerous on the break. A typical example was a misplaced pass just on the edge of Alton's box that was quickly picked up. A wide ball right gave space for a run on goal. Evans raced across to make a great tackle on the angle of the area. The ball spun loose and a follow up shot was palmed away by Fawcett.

In came the corner. Kelly beat everyone to the ball and a header on to Saxby had Alton back pedaling.

Satterley suffering a strain came off for Burch with 65 minutes gone. Fresh legs provided a quick response and Burch went clear from a Haskell pass only to fire wide.

68 minutes Gajic came off for Hall.

Burch went close again when he clipped the ball over the keeper. A quick back pedal and an acrobatic leap palmed the ball over the bar.

In came the corner, up went Haskell but this time the ball went high and wide.

27 minutes our pressure paid off. Saxby went free on the left and a brilliant little chip over the advancing keeper slipped into the bottom corner of the net 4-0.

79 minutes another strain recipient in the form of Evans had to come off and Matt Dear finally dropped his Bovril to make an appearance.

Alton worked their way back into the game with some good football and almost snatched one back with a cross that was headed just over the bar.

The last few minutes was end to end with both sides going close.

A good debut for Fawcett (clean sheet) and good use of subs giving a bit of recovery time for the bumps and bruises.

Result 4-0