WESSEX LEAGUE PREMIER DIVISION
WEDNESDAY 20TH NOVEMBER 2013
VERWOOD TOWN 2 HAMWORTHY UNITED 1

A very wet morning had left the Potterne Park pitch in a sorry state. At the lunch time pitch inspection a decision was taken to allow the prospect of a dry afternoon to repair some of the damage. With a lot of effort from some committee members at 6.30 p.m the match referee passed it fit and the game could go ahead. The first sign of any action came following Verwood's first corner on 5 minutes but Hill's shot was wild. The first real danger to the home goal came when Oldring slipped on 11 minutes allowing the Hamworthy forward a run on goal but Gajic got back and a superb tackle stopped the shot. Hamworthy were starting to create a few chances, a couple of shots from outside the box went wide and over and a long cross to the far post was headed down forcing Fawcett to save well at the post.

Having struggled for half an hour to make much impact on the game Verwood were starting to push for an opener. A great ball from Homer sent Lovell into the danger area but his low cross was scrambled out for a corner. 35 minutes and great control from Evans and a quick cross was met by Lovell whose volleyed shot was saved at point blank range. Homer attempted to pounce on the loose ball but was fouled and the referee pointed to the spot. Up stepped Webb but his penalty kick cannoned back off the post. Hamworthy broke quickly while we were still reeling and a curling shot was well saved by Fawcett. We were finishing the half strongly and got our reward on 40 minutes when Lovell was allowed to run at the defence and without a challenge unleashed an angled shot from 10 yards giving the keeper no chance 1-0. 43 minutes and Saxby was found with a long ball and beat the advancing keeper, lobbed it over him and Evans won the race with a defender to prod the ball home 2-0. We had finished the half strongly and Hamworthy would have been glad to have the chance to regroup.


Half-Time 2-0

The visitors were to come at us strongly at the start of the second half. Gajic took one for the team on 48 minutes when a body checked saw him get a yellow card. The free kick from 20 yards was straight at Fawcett. 3 minutes later Alex Martin benefitted from Kelly's slip on the damp surface and shot home from an angle 2-1. Around about the hour mark Hamworthy were exerting some pressure and several blocks were needed from the resolute Verwood defence. One 30 yard shot from the full back did get through but Fawcett was equal to it and saved well low down. Chances were still there for Verwood and Saxby pounced on a defenders mistake but his low shot was blocked by the keeper.

Murray came on for Hill with 20 minutes remaining and straight away a superb run through the middle by Gajic and the ball was sent wide to Saxby. Saxby's cross to Lovell was scrambled away for a corner. Hamworthy came back again but two more shots were off target. 77 minutes and Lovell teed up a hard working Gajic but his low shot was well saved. Verwood were hanging on a little in the last 10 minutes and two final chances fell the visitors way, the last and probably the best saw the striker one on one with the keeper but rolled his shot wide.

Final Score 2-1



Report submitted by Steve Jefferis