SYDENHAMS (WESSSEX) LEAGUE PREMIER DIVISION
THURSDAY 14TH MARCH 2013
NEWPORT 2 VERWOOD TOWN 2

A good squad made the pilgrimage. We looked forward to the game particularly in view of the result on Potterne 29 09 13 when we were taught a lesson and gave up three points to a 1-5 score line.

Confidence took a dent when we found ourselves defending from the whistle as Newport, looking fitter and faster broke through a couple of times making us defend in numbers.

Oldring and Thurogood had a lot to do as crosses peppered our box. Sound defensive headers kept the ball away from Lynch but only 4 minutes gone a left foot shot found its way through the defence. Lynch proving he's a good as any keeper in this division made a difficult catch look easy.

Kelly won a tackle on the line. A ball inside to Saxby and we made ground. Webb took up the running and slipping the ball through the middle gave Haskell a chance. A good shot was intercepted and cleared by the full back.

11 minutes we again broke up an attack and springboarded a counter move through Evans. Satts took up the running, outpacing a defender to try a shot. The keeper in excellent form reacted quickly palming the ball wide right. Dyer raced in to cross. Satts followed in and was inches short of connecting.

Newport upped the pace. We stood off and were taught a lesson of 'keep ball'.

At one point the bench had thoughts of throwing on a second ball so we could identify what one looked like.

22 minutes we gave away a corner. The inswinger was headed onto the bar. The ball dropped free and a very charitable defence allowed a toe poke to put Newport ahead 0-1.

25 minutes, we got a break away and forced a corner. The ball drifted across the box with no one close enough to tap the ball in.

29 minutes we were carved open in the middle of the park. The ball whipped wide left, a good delivery and the ball slid in from a couple of feet. 0-2.

It was a lesson learned as to how to progress in this division.

10 minutes left of the half and it was Lynch tested again by a rising hot heading for the top corner. Lynch was equal to the task.

Half Time 0-2

Half Time chat emphasised we hadn't had to swim across the pond so there was no excuse for lack of effort. Certainly, pride was at stake.

30 seconds and a Satterley shot was blocked and cleared. Straight back...Saxby, Kelly and Webb worked the ball forward and Gajic tried a shot but watched it go wide.

Newport, spurred into action tested Lynch and then were frustrated by the Thurogood and Oldring partnering. Evans pace took him past his opposite number and a cross found Haskell. Haskell pivoted and looped a shot that had the keeper scrambling to palm the ball away to safety.

It was a better showing from the team and we began matching Newport for play and industry. It made for a great game to watch.

Gajic had a cut on his foot and Haskell had a hamstring pull. Gajic made way for Hill and Haskell came off for Matt Dear. A shuffle of positions needed a short time to bed in but effort was maintained and both Hill and Dear were soon in the thick of things.

71 minutes and we got what we had been pushing for.

Saxby produced a bit of extra pace to take him clear of a defender. Spotting Satts a quick through pass and Satts hit a great ball past the keeper 1-2.

We maintained pressure and a Saxby / Webb combination minutes later resulted with a goalmouth scramble finally being resolved by a hoof putting the ball over the stand.

Good passing movement took Newport through mid field. A ball right and a quick angled cross into the box spelled danger but Oldring was quickly under the ball to head clear.

Webb and Dyer worked hard to keep the ball and with 12 minutes left brought Evans into overlap. Evans cross found Saxby but a volley from 6 yards gave the keeper no cause for concern.

7 minutes left we forced a corner. Hill's low cross was smashed into the net by Oldring. 2-2.

We kept pressing for the winner. Newport counter attacked. It made a very watchable match. Only Newport's Burger Snack Bar was worth a diversion to concentration.

RESULT 2-2