WESSEX LEAGUE PREMIER DIVISION
TUESDAY 17TH SEPTEMBER 2013
ALRESFORD TOWN 1 VERWOOD TOWN 0

1 minutes gone and Saxby went clear on the right to hammer a cross into the area. Dan Munday's pace took defenders by surprise and we almost went ahead but the ball hit the bar and out.

Alresford's response was to hit back with good football down the left flank. Pace and power took the ball wide of the box. Good follow up provided bodies and a cross was almost converted but Sims was down quickly to gather.

Kelly and Oldring were occupied in containing a lively central pairing. Evans and Murray backed up well as pressure mounted.

Dyer and Gajic worked hard to gain a share of the mid field and a Dyer ball found Homer wide left. Homers cross was inch perfect for Lovell to connect with a good shot but the keeper made a good save low to his left.

It was end to end with both teams at full stretch. Alresford edged the passing accuracy but we matched endeavour.

A corner on our left pitched up on the edge of the box. A tremendous volley was punched over the bar by Sims. In it came again but this time Oldring was first under the ball to head clear.

Evans and Saxby broke through on the right. Saxby made the bye line and cut back for Munday to smash a shot for goal. Defenders blocked the effort and again we were on the back foot as the ball was worked quickly through the middle with a feature of good passing and running off the ball. Murray stepped into the breach and a line ball released Homer for a run on goal. His marker raced back and an excellent sliding tackle stopped progress.

15 minutes gone and another excellent piece of approach work through the middle took Alresford to the edge of our box. This time we couldn't get the block in and a daisy cutter sped past Sims into the bottom corner. 0-1.

A corner hit our angle of the post and bar. A shot hit the post and out as we weathered an onslaught.

Gajic then drove a volley over the bar as we tried to draw level.

Saxby Lovell and Munday tried to force their way through in the box but no shots. The only boot swung to hit the ball was an Alresford's to clear.

Half Time 0-1

A break down the right and cross was well judged by Sims. A safe pair of hands took the danger away from inrushing forwards.

We needed to close down runners. A very fit Alresford made it difficult but we worked every bit as hard to get a share of possession.

Lovell made ground and for a change rounded the centre half. A shot from the edge of the box was palmed away. Gajic followed in and a rising shot was headed out for a corner. Saxby dropped the ball on the spot but the winning head was an Alresfoed's and the ball found it's way out of the area. Dyer challenged and the ball spun loose for Homer to hit into the six yard box. The keeper did well to save at feet.

57 minutes we ground our way through a period of Alresford's possession and Dyer broke up the scrooge like activity to free up Saxby. A quick cross and Dan Munday raced in to smash a shot but was met head on with a solid tackle leaving the ball spinning over the bar. Homer's cross was cleared and Alresford's speed on the counter attack brought the best out of Sims as a cracking shot from the angle of the area was tracked and a flying save was brilliantly held.

64 minutes and after a spell of robust football we broke on the right again through Saxby. A cut back found Dyer, a cross to Homer back to Saxby and a low ball whipped across but allowed to find its way out into touch on the far side without anyone reaching it.

We won a free kick. Homer launched into the area and Oldring headed wide of the post from about four feet.

75 minutes and Homer made way for Darren Munday

Oldring and Kelly worked the ball out of defence and Evans on the overlap made ground on the right. A deep cross and Lovell headed down for Darren Munday to try a shot. It was frustrating for 'Daz' to see the ball go wide of the upright.

It was good end to end stuff and was an excellent advertisement for the quality of the Premier League.

We sent close again with 3 minutes left and then Sims had to forget his age and become athletic as he went down low to flick the ball away from danger.

The game see sawed to the whistle but the points went to Alresford. We may have lost by the odd goal to both B & L and Alresford but we know we could have reversed the results if we had had the ability to finish.

Result 0-1.