WESSEX LEAGUE PREMIER DIVISION
SATURDAY 31ST AUGUST 2013
VERWOOD TOWN 1 DOWNTON 1

Both teams suffered shortages to their squads. Arnold and "Dartson" sat our bench alongside Callaghan and Bones. The latter players stepping up from the Ressies.

Downton's Up N Under from the kick off was well read by Dan Saxby. The ball was only partly cleared. A low cross followed and Saxby's leg creaked as he blocked the cross.

Webb slid the ball wide to Gilham, across to Munday (Darren) and the ball was lifted into the area. Haskell moved in quickly but the defender was quicker and the ball was cleared downfield.

Kelly headed across to Evans, in to Oldring and a good pass found Kimber. Kimber's effort didn't cause too much of a problem for the keeper and the ball was launched into our third.

Only 5 minutes had elapsed. Elysee took it down well and put a great cross into the penalty area. Gilham coasted in on the far post and knocked it back in past the full back. Haskell beat the diving keeper putting us ahead. 1-0.

Downton hit back immediately with a good move reaching the outside of the box. A low cross and it was Oldring who cleared with a big boot. Kimber connected and a quick lob into the box was just missed by Haskell.

It was end to end stuff but with both sides having so many changes the play generally was scrappy.

Haskell took a pass and was unlucky not to connect properly only 10 yards out.

Downton pushed forward. Webb tried to stem the attack but the ball spun wide and a quick cross had Lynch scrambling to stop it crossing the line.

Lynch found Kelly, on to Elysee on to Saxby on to Gilham back to Evans and then a cross for Haskell. The keeper watched it sail over the bar.

25 minutes and a run on the right gave space for a cross shot. Lynch dived to save the ball on the line at the foot of the post.

5 minutes left of the half and Downton pushed through the middle. Saxby made a strong tackle just outside the area clearing the danger.

Half Time 1-0

The second half started with misplaced passes and a sign of frustration from both managers as the teams struggled to get to grips.

51 minutes Downton edged the play, finishing with a good angled shot grazing the bar.

55 minutes we lost the ball in midfield and a quick ball through the middle left Lynch on a one on one. Lynch dived at feet but the ball hit his boot and finished up in the back of the net 1-1.

59 minutes and fresh legs as Callaghan came on for Gilham.

The game continued to be scrappy and a bit disjointed. Downton played the best of the scrappy football at this stage forcing us back to defend deeper.

65 minutes and frustration was getting worse resulting in a Downton player disputing a decision but then suggesting the Referee got involved in sex and travel. The player travelled to the dugout.

72 minutes Munday broke through on the left. A one on one. The ball beat the keeper but was kicked off the line. Haskell moved in to side foot the ball for the corner of the net, another Downton leg stretched to toe poke the ball away. Callaghan raced in to try a shot but the keeper beat him to it and safely gathered.

The extra man should have been telling on Downton but on the day we helped by charitable acts of not closing down and giving some great passes to their mid field.

77 minutes and the clock turned back about 50 years as Arnold donned the boots. Leather studs and a strap across the toe gave age away. Kimber made way for Verwood's icon.

83 minutes and Downton's never say die attitude almost paid off as the ball was worked through the middle and a low shot grazed the foot of the post.

Callaghan made ground on the right with 2 minutes left and a good solid ball into the middle was first of all missed by Haskell and then inched past Arnold's right boot. A mere touch would have deflected it past the keeper.

Webb shot over and then Kelly joined in for a corner planting his header over the bar. That was it. The whistle went on a 1-1.

Saxby and Arnold helped each other off. A wag in the crowd said it looked like a scene from Shaun of The Dead !!!

Result 1-1