WESSEX LEAGUE PREMIER DIVISION
WEDNESDAY 30TH OCTOBER 2013
VERWOOD TOWN 0 BROCKENHURST 1

A good solid performance against Winchester City and the same team that trod the turf gave us confidence of picking up points against Brockenhurst.

Brock had been subjected to a merry go round with players over the last week so the team facing us had five changes. They wanted to prove quality and within the first couple of minutes had worked the flanks giving Fawcett an early feel of the ball.

4 minutes and Fawcett raced from goal to body block on a one on one. Luckily his timing was spot on.

Saxby and Webb shuttled back in front of the back four to stem attacks and it paid off as we gradually got into the game.

Lovell went close after Joy had released him and Gajic tried a hopeful shot from the edge of the box but didn't worry the keeper.

On 10 minutes Lovell won a challenge just outside the Brock box. A ball back to Webb, wide to an overlapping Evans and the cross was headed just over by Lovell following in.

Gajic Dyer and Lovell worked the right flank but the shot from Lovell was topped making it easy for the keeper.

Brock hit back and 2 minutes later Fawcett took the sting out of an angled shot.

15 minutes we gave away a free kick just outside the area. A stinging shot was palmed out. An unmarked forward fortunately scuffed his shot giving Fawcett an easy catch.

The game see sawed but on 25 minutes a quick attack on the right gave space for an angled shot and Brock found themselves in front 0-1.

Webb and Joy worked hard in the middle and a final ball from Webb found Lovell in space. A terrific shot hit the centre half. The ball re bounded back to Lovell and a volley flew over the bar.

Saxby made a brilliant diagonal run through the Brock mid field. Chipping the ball back into the box developed a scramble. Lovell tried a shot, Webb fired into a packed defence winning a corner. The ball drifted onto the spot. Another scramble, and then a big welly sent the ball clear.

The half closed at 0-1.

We should have reacted to the half time chat but came out totally lethargic and almost gave away a goal in the first minute. Murray blocked a shot and then Kelly stepped in to hammer the ball up field.

Oldring and Kelly had their work cut out defending a series of attacks and it took 10 minutes of the second half before we started to settle. We were a shadow of the side last Saturday.

54 minutes we forced a corner. Lovell rose higher than everyone else to send a powerful header goalbound. The keeper was surprised to clutch a ball that should have been in the net.

2 minutes later a Gajic free kick brought out a brilliant save followed by a Saxby scoop that should have been in the net but settled on top.

It was one of those occasions that we could have continued playing for a week and not able to score.

Brockenhurst for their part had a stubborn defence that absorbed all we had but relishing in the knowledge we wouldn't put the ball past the keeper.

Joy picked up a pass from Webb and threaded a great ball through the central defenders. Lovell ran free but was closed down by the full backs. Brock worked hard for one another and hit back down the flanks. Fawcett was called into action again catching a high cross and then Evans cut out a ball put behind Oldring and Kelly.

Oldring called for more effort. Saxby and Dyer responded with an interchange cutting a swathe through the right hand side of the midfield. Gajic took up the running and hit a deep cross for Lovell. A strong header but then frustration as the keeper took the ball cleanly from under the bar.

Homer came on for Sam Joy and took up a spot on the left.

Murray stooped low to head a dangerous low ball from the edge of our area but then had to cut out the flank as the ball was picked up and sprayed wide.

Brock dropped another player in front of their back four and blocked our route to goal. A good keeper gave confidence so it became easier for them to contain what attacks we tried to string together as we went route one.

Lovell chased the cause but was like the Lone Ranger up front.

We put in a late rally but to no avail.

Result 0-1