WESSEX LEAGUE PREMIER DIVISION
SATURDAY 10TH AUGUST 2013
VERWOOD TOWN 1 CHRISTCHURCH 1

After the performance at Portchester we knew a similar display would be worth three points.

New Management and a few new faces at Christchurch heralded press comments about their hopes and aspirations this season giving them a similar outlook.

Certainly Christchurch started better than us working their right flank and making us defend a deep cross. A shot just inside the area was deflected for a corner. A half clearance from Evans was hit back in and Kelly was the hero body blocking the effort and clearing to the half way line.

We picked up pace and with 7 minutes gone Christchurch mid field stopped Webb's progress with a heavy tackle judged a foul. Homer stepped up to land the ball on Haskell's head. Flicking the ball over the defence gave Saxby space as he raced in from the right but before connecting was whistled up for offside.

10 minutes and we were still edging possession. Evans picked a hole in Christchurch defence and a cross reached Lovell. A header across the box was diverted for a corner. The keeper did well to hold a curling ball.

Five minutes later the ball was worked wide left. A good run and shot put Christchurch on the score board. 1-0.

It woke us up. Slack marking and a less than expected effort gave room for the visitors to go ahead.

Pace was missing from both teams but these days we seem to play to the standard presented by the opposition. It's something we have to address.

27 minutes Dyer sparked a good move bringing Saxby into the game wide right. Saxby's cross was well held by the keeper.

Christchurch heavy clearance following another raid on goal caught us napping at the back. Lynch had come out of goal and a lob had him back pedalling. Lynch managed to palm away for a corner. The ball skidded across the face of goal with no one near.

37 minutes another foul by Christchurch just outside the area resulted in free kick specialist Luke Homer dropping the ball just inside the 6 yard box. Haskell read it superbly and an unstoppable volley whipped past a static keeper levelling the score.

We were still pressing as the whistle went for half time.

Half Time 1-1

We got back some urgency missing in the first half and within the first minute forced a corner. The ball headed on landed for Webb to chip the keeper. A swift bit of back pedalling and a good punch stopped us going ahead.

5 minutes and Evans joined the attack. Slipping past the full back Evans dipped a cross for Haskell to chest down and try a right foot shot. The ball clipped the top of the bar on the way over.

7 minutes and it was Homer's turn to cut inside his marker. A clever flick over the full back gave Saxby a chance for a shot. A good defender blocked the ball on the spot and a heavy boot sent it skyward.

A brief flurry from Christchurch had them in our third. A hopeful delivery dropped on the edge of the box. Saxby had dropped back and chased the ball away from the area. Spotting a roaming Haskell Saxby planted a great ball for Haskell to run on to. The keeper came out quickly and just beat Haskell to the ball. A miss kick though screwed it right. Hill picked the ball out of the air and tried a chip. The keeper recovered well to catch the ball under the bar. No doubt about it the keeper had made crucial saves in the half to keep the visitors from falling behind.

A minute later Homer revelled in free space racing away from his opposite number, on to Webb then a swift lob on to Lovell and a pivot and shot deserved a goal but yet again the keeper flew inches above the ground to palm the ball away

. 21st minute saw Hill break on the left. A good cross and Haskell connected with a good header but watched it fly past the post.

A minute later and a carbon copy as Hill dropped the ball nicely for Haskell to try another header. Again though it went wide of the post.

We were enjoying good possession but lacked the finishing power.

24 minutes the Christchurch keeper excelled yet again making a flying save from a Homer angled shot. He was stranded though with Hill's effort shortly after, but the ball finished up going wide.

Lynch could have had his feet up and carpet slippers on for most of the half as Christchurch were dependent upon keeping us out of their box and desperately clinging on for a point. They succeeded.

Result 1-1