WESSEX LEAGUE PREMIER DIVISION
TUESDAY 6TH AUGUST 2013
AFC PORTCHESTER 2 VERWOOD TOWN 2

Gajic limped into the dressing room and declared himself unfit. Adie and Darts had been of that opinion since the start of the season, but it meant a reduction in squad numbers. We still had a good starting eleven.

2 minutes old and Evans anticipated a cross to perfection guiding it away from an attacker and running it down the line. On to Saxby, a good retaliatory cross was just too much for Lovell to reach.

Portchester's eagerness for the ball pegged us back. Oldring headed clear and then Kelly blocked a shot just inside the area.

Homer and Evans was our ace in the hole for counter attacks so the game went end to end but with good football being played and few long balls.

Martin Smith wore the mantle of our holding man in mid field tussling with Portchester's opposite numbers. A strong tackle by Smith was judged too robust so a free kick fell to Portchester. A high ball on to the spot was carefully monitored by Lynch and then a strong punch cleared the danger.

Homer cut out a cross and a line ball found Hill. Lovell's run into the area created space but the cross was cleared for a corner. Up came Kelly and Oldring. Saxby should have been the main man but his height was considered detrimental. The corner turned out to be a flop as it drifted over the bar. Kelly and Oldring were helped back into our half.

Pace increased. Portchester found another spurt and luckily we were able to match effort. Accuracy in passing was a feature of Portchester's play at this stage. A good move on the right split us wide open and a powerful header flew over the bar. The dead ball kick was returned and another run and shot had Lynch scrambling the ball clear.

We picked up our game and Smith won a header in our third sending the ball wide to Homer. Homer made ground before releasing Hill. Inside to Webb across to Evans and a cross was headed out for a corner. An inswinger was tracked by Lovell but his header flew wide.

We maintained our new found energy and Dyer with Webb linked well to spark Saxby and Lovell into good shooting positions.

Homer whipped in a bender with 7 minutes left and the keeper showed good hands to hold a difficult ball.

Half Time 0-0

We came out determined to continue where we left off but hadn't reckoned for an equally determined Portchester.

2 minutes into the half and Portchester raced down the right with crisp interchange. A cross was too high for the centre forward so Evans had a simple job of escorting the ball out of the area. A long ball found Lovell a quick turn but a run on goal was blocked with the ball spinning free.

A counter attack and Portchester's central raid turned into a chance for an angled shot. Luckily it went over the bar saving Lynch the need for a calorie loss.

Minutes later Lynch had to prove his capability with a flying save from a 20 yarder and then performed what must have been the save of the match with a strong palm flicking the ball away from the bottom of the post following an exceptional strike.

57 minutes and we drew first blood. Homer, now becoming our free kick specialist put the ball on Kelly's head. The roof of the net bulged and we went on the score board. 1-0.

Portchester's retaliation was instant. Lynch had to make a cracking save low to his left.

Webb and Dyer had to be busy to contain an industrious Portchester mid field so for a few minutes the game locked itself in the central area.

68 minutes and Portchester broke free. A low shot from the edge of the box was half cleared by Evans. A lob put the ball on the spot and it was like a shuttle cock flicking in and out before a quick turn and low shot levelled the score. 1-1.

An incisive attack 4 minutes later was stopped by a diving Kelly's head. Oldring then volleyed clear as we defended in numbers. Homer kicked a ball off the line and then Dyer stepped in to run the ball out of the area. A long ball found Lovell and the resultant one on one was won by the keeper.

77 minutes we gave away a free kick 30 yards out. The ball was found in our net seconds after, making it 1-2.

81 minutes Haskell came on for Smith. We pushed everyone forward for the equaliser. This time it was Portchester defending deep.

92 minutes Evans swept forward and hammered a 20 yarder low past the keeper. 2-2

Result 2-2