WESSEX LEAGUE PREMIER DIVISION
SATURDAY 26TH OCTOBER 2013
VERWOOD TOWN 1 WINCHESTER CITY 0

We had a couple of missing players but still a good squad to take on promotion contenders Winchester City.

The dressing room motivational chat worked. We started well with Webb and Gajic making their way through the mid field. A wide ball to Saxby and a deep cross was just missed by Lovell.

Winchester reacted instantly with a slick move down the right and a cross flew across the face of goal. Fawcett leaped high to take a good catch. A throw to Evans put us back on attack and making ground Evans finally released a good ball inside to Webb. Webb tried a shot but a solid defensive wall blocked the effort.

Winchester's running off the ball was a feature of their attacking style and with 10 minutes on the clock cut through the middle. A switch ball wide right was blocked by Murray. The ball spun free but was picked up and hammered towards goal. Fawcett's safe hands protected the score line.

Oldring came into his own with a great tackle to win the ball just outside our box and then made ground through the middle. A slide rule pass found Dyer, on to Gajic and a shot from 20 yards was watched over the bar by the keeper.

It was a good game for spectators as both side committed themselves to attack.

Saxby made inroads with 20 minutes gone and a pull back gave Lovell a chance. The shot unfortunately lacked power. The keeper took it well and quickly sparked a right flank move. Space was given and we almost suffered a sucker punch as the ball whistled across the face of goal. Luckily no one was on the end of it so the ball sailed off the pitch for a throw in.

24 minutes and Kelly saved the blushes as we gave way in the middle and an inter passing move was broken up by Kelly's left boot.

35 minutes we were under pressure again but Oldring stopped a shot and quickly spotting Lovell in space sent our number 9 free. The keeper came out but Lovell dinked the ball over him to put us ahead. 1-0.

One minute later Fawcett had to make one of his better saves as Winchester had us cold.

Half Time 1-0.

We are notorious late starters. With only 30 seconds gone Winchester split us wide open on the right and a cross, shadowed by runners, was intercepted by Oldring. A good strong header only found a Winchester boot and a left foot volley went wide of the upright.

Evans pace came in handy to cut out a dangerous through ball and then Kelly did well to stretch a leg diverting the ball for a corner. Fawcett punched an inswinger away from the area only to take the ball off a Winchester head as pressure was maintained.

We bounced back. Webb and Joy worked their socks off trying to contain a lively pair of mid fielder's. Webb's tenacity won a battle and a ball wide to Gajic sprung an attack. Gajic made ground and a chip over the centre half released Lovell. A rasping shot was well taken by the keeper.

Murray moved up the line to join Gajic and a resultant cross was headed out by a defender. In swept Dyer and a great shot was tipped over the bar. The corner dropped onto the penalty spot creating a scramble. A Winchester size 9 finally cleared the ball.

Oldring nodded a high ball back to Fawcett and went for the return. A square ball to Kelly and on to Murray then down the line to Saxby. Saxby hit the cross early and Lovell went higher than defenders but only put the ball over the bar. It was a good move and in keeping with the quality being produced by both sides.

A shot went wide of our post and then a corner was punched clear by Fawcett.

Joy's first excursion into the first team was welcomed as he battled away alongside the impressive Webb.

Winchester cut through on the left and a low cross was intercepted by Oldring. Spotting Lovell loosely marked, an excellent pass created a carbon copy of our goal in the first half. This time though the keeper was exceptional and body blocked the shot. The ball rebounded out of the area and Dyer 25 yards out tried a lob. The net bulged but euphoria took a dent as the linesman's flag had gone up indicating Lovell offside. Not a lot can be said about some of the spectator's views. No matter….the score line remained at 1-0 as the ball was placed for the free kick.

Then came the Fawcett show. 8 minutes left of normal time and Winchester went for broke. We were gradually forced back and shots and headers were powered into our third. Fawcett made a couple of terrific saves but none better than a swerving shot destined for the top corner that was flicked over the angle.

A shock followed. 8.5 minutes of extra time. Was the ref wearing an hour glass!!! Result … 1-0.