PRE-SEASON MATCH
TUESDAY 16TH JULY 2013
GILLINGHAM TOWN 3 VERWOOD TOWN 2

The hot weather continued for the trip to Gillingham. Our two stalwarts from the youth team, Joe Kimber and Matt Gilham made up our bench.

A brisk opening from Gillingham had us back pedalling and it was Murray who cut out a very dangerous break on the edge of the area. A line ball was booted back and Olding had to head clear from inside the 6 yard box.

Kelly made a strong tackle to curb an enthusiastic Gillingham and then Evans had to slide the ball over the line to stop another break.

We gathered ourselves together and Saxby linked with Homer to split the Gillingham defence on the left. A hard low cross was almost turned in by Gajic.

Homer featured again with a run and shot that was turned over the line for a corner. In it came. Gajic slightly misjudged the flight and the ball went just past the post.

8 minutes Gajic broke through a packed defence and laid the ball back into Homer's path. A left foot rocket put us ahead. 1-0.

We stayed on the attack and Oldring surprised us all with a spurt into Gillingham's box to try a shot that unfortunately went wide. For such an old man it was a great effort.

Kelly then cleared a high all into our third. Gajic picked up the ball and made way to the edge of the box. A right foot shot was safely gathered.

We were enjoying a spell of possession but the central areas became under increasing pressure from a busy Gillingham mid field.

Homer's control with 17 minutes on the clock took him past a defender and gave an opening to slip the ball to Lovell. A quick look and Lovell placed the ball just out of the keepers reach to send us two up.

Gillingham was stung into action and some excellent attacking football followed. Murray blocked one shot and then Kelly made a crucial tackle on the spot to prevent a direct shot on Lynch.

Gillingham pulled one back after 34 minutes and 4 minutes later drew level with a terrific cross from the right and a finish with the ball rifling its way into the roof of the net.

Half Time 2-2.

Gillingham made a much brighter start than we did. Excellent movement through the middle followed by a wide ball right split us open and a fierce cross was cut out by Kelly.

Lynch made a good save and then Evans cleared with an 'Up N Under'

Pressure was maintained and we got over run on the left. With only 2 minutes gone we went three down as a low ball into the box was slammed past Lynch. 2-3.

We looked ragged. Mid field was dominated by Gillingham's on form players and we conceded tackles too regularly.

Dyer Saxby and Webb had a flurry but drifted into the background again as Gillingham stayed on top of the game.

57 minutes gone and Kimber came on for Murray. Homer dropped to full back with Kimber moving wide left.

The changes had effect. Gajic and Webb worked the ball through the middle and a ball wide to Lovell gave space for a shot. The keeper palmed the ball down. Webb raced in but topped the shot. Saxby tried a volley as the ball rebounded. The keeper was well placed to punch clear. Dyer swept in to hit a rising shot over the bar.

Gillingham hit back and it was Lynch's turn to perform. A punched clearance followed by header just outside the area was the first saves in a mini skirmish in and around our box.

Evans slammed a clearance against an attacker. The dead ball kick resulted in a quick counter attack by Saxby but the shot rattled the bar and went out for a dead ball.

Lynch watched the dropping projectile appear on the edge of the box and another race to clear again went the Lynch way.

Gilham came on for Dyer with 5 minutes left on the clock.

We were getting more possession now and pressed Gillingham back into their third. Lovell saw an effort fly over the bar and Saxby was disappointed to see his blaster fly wide.

Gilham used a return from Kimber to open a gap but the pass was intercepted and the ball suddenly appeared in our box. Lynch again was equal to the task and made a good save as the whistle blew for the end of the game.

Result 2-3