WESSEX LEAGUE CUP
SATURDAY 3RD AUGUST 2013
VERWOOD TOWN 0 COWES SPORTS 2

First blood looked as if it would be early and in Cowes favour. A slick move down the right and a ball across the area was cleared by Evans.

A couple of minutes later we succumbed to another attack but this time down the left. It took a good punch from Lynch to clear the lines. The ball dropped just outside the area and a no nonsense tackle from Webb was judged a foul.

The free kick hit a wall of defenders and spun out for a corner. In it came and a melee followed with the ball running free. A shot crept through the defence and hit the foot of the post before going over the dead ball line.

It was a close call and made us perk up a bit.

Dyer and Webb threaded their way through a packed mid field and Saxby took up the running with an angled shot going wide.

13 minutes saw Haskell try a shot from just inside the box. Hill followed in forcing the keeper to miscue his kick. Haskell tried again but the keeper this time did well showing safe hands.

18 minutes gone and Saxby worked the flank bringing in the overlapping Homer with a cut back. Homer wasted no time in releasing a cross ball finding Haskell free. A volley was blocked in the 6 yard box and Saxby followed in with a shot that looped over the keeper but landed on the roof of the net.

Haskell forced a defensive slip with a challenge for a high ball half way through the half. Lovell went free. A ball back to Haskell and a cross opened up Brockenhurst defence but Saxby couldn't connect so the opportunity for a goal was lost.

We had most of the play for a while and a couple of chances went begging.

With 7 minutes left Cowes worked the ball into our box and we watched a game of ping pong until Dyer got stuck in and cleared the danger.

Evans sparked a move using Webb and Lovell. Haskell rounded off the move with a shot but the keeper didn't have much to worry about as the ball stuck in his palms.

43 minutes we had pushed up and a defensive clearance landed in our box. We should have cleared it but the ball bounced nicely for Cowes to lob Lynch and go 0-1 ahead.

Half Time 0-1

We needed to improve and it looked as if we were going to pull level two minutes into the half when Haskell created space and went free on goal. The keeper made a brave save at feet but the ball squirmed free. Hill moved in quickly and tucked the ball back to Saxby. Saxby went wide passed inside and got the return. A good move but to no avail as the flag went up for offside.

Homer on to Haskell. A back heel and Hill fired a low cross that was thumped out for a corner. An inswinger was read well by the keeper and a big fist cleared the area.

Straight back. Dyer worked through the middle and employed Haskell to try a shot. Stiff necks resulted in watching the ball jet its way upwards.

Webb Lovell Saxby Dyer provided a good bit of football with Dyer finishing a move that was blocked and cleared.

Frustration was setting in. We were creating good opportunities but not finishing. Cowes on the other hand was defending in numbers and looked dangerous on the break.

Cowes keeper beat Saxby and Lovell in a race for the ball and then made a great save as Webb struck from just inside the box.

76 minutes gone and we were still trying to break the score line. A defensive clearance went wide right. A ball hit across mid field was picked up without challenge and a player was allowed to make ground unchecked. An angled shot whipped past Lynch to put Cowes two up.

Smith drove a shot past the post and then Kelly planted a header in the bushes from a corner.

We pressed forward trying to score but the visiting keeper did well and was ably supported by defenders who threw everything they had in a strong performance.

Dyer tried hard to motivate attacks but we failed miserably in front of the sticks.

Cowes defended deep. On the break they still looked dangerous and in the last couple of minutes could have had a third as we became exposed at the back.

Lynch picked out a hopeful shot on 45 minutes but the whistle went with the score line at 0-2 in Cowes favour.

Result 0-2