FA CARLSBERG VASE - FIRST ROUND PROPER
SATURDAY 19TH OCTOBER 2013
VERWOOD TOWN 3 LAVERSTOCK AND FORD 1

A big game for us in many ways. Our Jekyll and Hyde form needed stabilising and a first round 'proper' against Laverstock and Ford needed discipline and concentration.

Adie Arnold's recent trip to watch L&F left him in no doubt a below par performance would result in waiting for next years draw.

We were bolstered by the return of Jamie Thorogood and Dan Fawcett's ability to make the game after a couple of weeks absence. Charlie Gajic made the bench, following a slow recovery from ankle damage, This coupled to Chris Lynch's dressing room appearance gave us reason to expect a much better performance than of late.

After a couple of minutes sparring, we won a free kick. Murray stepped up and planted the ball at Homer's feet. Homers turn gave space to bring Webb into play and a crossfield ball found Saxby. Saxby's shot was on target but a defensive boot cleared the ball back up field.

Laverstocks crisp play at the back stopped another raid and spotting a runner a well placed lob opened us up at the back. Fawcett came off his line and was lucky to see a dipping shot go wide.

We hit back and with 12 minutes gone Evans, Thorogood and Murray combined across the back gaining ground for Murray to release Homer. A terrific cross found Lovell but the header went across the box. Dyer raced in to half hit the ball and the move finished with a dead ball kick.

15 minutes and a good piece of L&F football cut us open on the left. A swerving 20 yard shot was palmed over the bar by Fawcett. The corner, watched carefully by Thorogood was cleared out of the area.

23 minutes we had pushed up too far. A break on L&F right flank resulted in a perfect low cross for a runner to steer the ball past Fawcett 0-1.

Although we had edged possession at this stage the cut and thrust of Laverstock's counter attack showed us how to finish.

We pressed forward but this time keeping a tight reign in defence. A good move between Webb and Kelly released Saxby and a dipping shot went inches wide.

30 minutes on the clock and we won a free kick. Homer's chip was perfect for a goalmouth scramble. Lovell found a bit of space and a well placed shot made it level pegging at 1-1.

39 minutes and a good move on the right sparked by Evans resulted in Lovell finding space in the corner of the box to fire a low shot past the keeper. 2-1.

Half Time 2-1

Only 8 minutes had elapsed of the second half when we gave away a free kick just outside the box. The shot ripped through our wall of defenders but fortunately Fawcett was down quickly to safely gather.

Then followed a scrappy ten minutes with both teams giving away the ball too easily.

Fawcett turned a good shot over the bar and then fisted way the corner while we were getting ourselves together. Webb fought hard to win a mini battle for the ball in midfield. Dyer took up the pass and a volley from just outside the box whistled inches wide.

Saxby went free but a good goalkeeper was quickly off his line to body block his shot. The rebound was fired wide by Dyer.

Homer's back problem recurred again and he made way for Gajic. Gajic was immediately in action taking a line ball from Murray and firing a cross into the 6 yard box that Saxby just failed to reach.

L&F with 20 minutes gone produced a spell of good attacking football and an excellent cross was headed inches wide of the angle of bar and post.

We hit back forcing a corner on the left. Gjic's inswinger was met by Kelly's head, but the ball whistled over the bar.

We maintained pressure and on 33 minutes some great work on the left by Saxby opened up a gap. Saxby threaded the ball back to Gajic. A cool finish put us 3-1 ahead.

Sam Joy came on for Webb and was in the thick of it as a loose ball landed in mid field and followed by two L&F runners. Joy's tenacity was enough to flick the ball off a toe and a gap opened up for Lovell to chase through and almost put us four ahead with a cracking shot but was brilliantly saved.

Thorogood rose high to beat a goal threat heading wide to Murray. A line ball found Gajic. Cutting inside Gajic tried another shot but this time the keeper had it covered.

There was pressure at the end from L&F but we absorbed attacks and kept the scoreboard at 3-1

Result 3-1