SYDENHAMS (WESSSEX) LEAGUE PREMIER DIVISION
TUESDAY 16TH APRIL 2013
DOWNTON 1 VERWOOD TOWN 3

Another rained off week end preceded this game against high fliers Downton. A couple of changes had to be effected but nevertheless a good squad turned up.

It was Downton who hit the ground running with a well worked move down their left. A cross was well taken by Lynch but his throw was intercepted and a long range shot went wide.

Oldring got under the next cross and then Kelly booted clear from a hopeful high ball into the area. That was the flurry.

Webb won a strong tackle in the middle of the park and a quick ball wide to Saxby sparked the first attack into Downton's third.

6 minutes gone and Haskell tried a dipping shot from the edge of the box. The keeper watched it slip over the bar.

Dyer and Elysee worked the left flank. Gajic moved across to receive the ball and a quick turn and shot brought out a fine save from the keeper.

Lynch then proved his quality with a dive down to his right tipping the ball round the post. The corner was hoofed clear by Kelly.

20 minutes and Evans was engaged in a tussle with his Downton marker. Evans won this one and finding a gap in Downton's defence slipped the ball through to Satterley. Satts quick to react hit a first touch on to Haskell. The keeper was quick off his line but Haskell chipped him to send us 1-0 ahead.

Dyer and Webb grafted in the middle of the park and made impact. Gajic had a shot saved after a great piece of football from Webb and then Dyer finished off his own hard work with a shot that tested the keeper low to his left.

33 minutes and Downton put together a great move finishing with a shot from the edge of the box. The shot was deflected slightly and Lynch had to pedal backwards to flick the ball onto the bar. In stormed Downton and a stinging volley headed for the top corner. Lynch then performed heroics to keep the ball out of the net.

Downton pressed us back. Kelly and Elysee blocked crosses and Oldring was superb with his clearance headers. It was a torrid few minutes.

We steadied and for the last couple of minutes evened up play with Webb having the last say planting a header just over the bar.

Half Time 1-0

Downton's half time chat sparked energy in their play. An immediate attack had Lynch diving to save. The clearance went to Evans, on to Dyer. Dyer made ground and tried a shot that was blocked.

Downton retaliated and Oldring stopped a shot on the edge of the area. Kelly picked up a through ball and slipping the ball to Evans raced on to collect the pass. A sweeping ball wide to Gajic and we found ourselves on the edge of Downton's area. Saxby took the ball and seeing Haskell free chipped the ball onto the spot. Haskell headed down towards the corner of the net but a great diving save prevented a second goal.

Downton moved the ball quickly through the middle. A ball then wide should have produced danger but Elysee read it well and a great interception not only prevented further approach but put us back on the attack.

Satterley took the ball to the edge of the box and gave Gajic a chance with a slide rule pass. Gajic was on target but Downton's keeper was having one of his better nights and made a terrific save.

52 minutes we earned a free kick. Webb stepped up and floated the ball into the 6 yard box. In went Kelly and volley flew past the keeper to make it 2-0.

59 minutes and it was Lynch who had to prove his worth with a fabulous stop from a 12 yard volley that had goal written all over it.

Downton pushed us back. Webb and Dyer had to drop slightly but we looked reasonably solid. Elysee and Evans in full back spots were exceptional as was Kelly and Oldring.

Despite being two down this Downton side worked their socks off to drag back the deficit. We held tight and gradually got back on the attack.

64 minutes and from another raid Evans won the ball. A run down the right, a low ball inside to Satts and space was there for Satts to draw the keeper and slip the ball past him for our third of the game. 3-0. Satts got clobbered. Off he came for Murray to come on and test his hamstrings.v 70 minutes and Downton were stopped on the edge of our box by a sliding Oldring tackle.

Downton got a consolation goal through a hard hit free-kick in the dying minutes

Result 3-1