WESSEX LEAGUE PREMIER DIVISION
SATURDAY 11TH JANUARY 2014
VERWOOD TOWN 2 FOLLAND SPORTS 1

Straight from the kick off Follands hit a long ball into the box that was followed up by a couple of runners. Kelly luckily saw the danger early and cut across to head clear. Gajic picked up the clearance and a pass wide to Saxby gave us an opportunity for a counter attack. Saxby's ball into the box though was well read by the keeper who was out quickly to make a good catch.

It was a good sign of intent from both teams indicating 90 minutes to come of attacking football.

Two minutes later Follands broke on their right and a good cross gave Lynch his first touch of the ball. A throw found Joy who was closed down quickly and dropped by a fierce tackle. The free kick dropped nicely for Lovell but his header went over the bar.

An excellent bit of football from Follands rear guard sparked an attack on the right. Murray did well to shadow the move but his strong tackle but gave away a corner. Lynch beat everyone to the ball, punching it away. Gajic won the tussle and pushed forward. A great chip cleared the back four. Hill cut in from the left to gather the ball but his low drive hit the side netting.

A clever piece of play on the right gave Follands a sight of goal and a cracking shot was well saved by Lynch.

We hit back gaining a free kick. Saxby stepped up to float the ball into the area. Murray raced in to try a shot. The keeper punched away, Murray collected again and another shot was half blocked. Hill raced in but the keeper this time fell on the ball to protect another attempt being made on goal.

Both Saxby and Hill were the biggest threat to Follands back four at this stage and another Saxby / Hill combination broke through for Hill to slam the ball past the keeper but watched it fly inched wide of the post.

Follands reaction was clinical with good football creating space for an effort on goal. Evans headed clear but only reaching a Follands forward. A rasping left foot shot whistled over the bar.

34 minutes and we broke the deadlock. Molyneaux broke up an attack and fed Evans on the right. Saxby picked up Evans through ball and went wide to cross on the dead ball line. Lovell had followed up and slipped the ball past the keeper to put us ahead. 1-0.

Follands went close with 5 minutes of the half left but the teams went in at half time with Verwood ahead.

Half Time 1-0

52 minutes and we cut open on the right. A diagonal ball gave space and a cross shot was finger tipped over the bar by a flying Lynch.

We then had a spell of mid field play with both teams playing open football.

58 minutes and Sam Joy made way for John Webb to have a run. Webb was involved immediately with a good run picking up a Lovell pass and then firing a ball on target that the keeper did well to hold.

Follands moved the ball across the pitch from right to left but Kelly had tracked the attack and made a crucial tackle on the edge of the area.

Dyer skipped a challenge and played Gajic in just outside the area. Gajic clip on to Lovell gave an opportunity for a shot but Follands defence was tight and the chance was blocked.

Back stormed Follands. A long ball down the right was cut out by Murray. A quick counter attack let in Hill but his effort bounced off the angle of the bar and post.

We then had to close ranks as Follands pressed for the equaliser. Molyneaux cleared a dangerous low ball into then box and then headed clear another hopeful lob intended for a runner.

80 minutes gone and Webb won a tackle in the middle of the park. A quick ball to Hill a low cross and there was Lovell steaming in to side foot the ball past the keeper. 2-0.

82 minutes Chas Gajic gave way for Mark Dancer to have his first outing for the Club.

Follands swept forward. Kelly blocked a shot and then Lynch gathered a hopeful shot at the foot of the post. We held firm.

82 minutes and we made ground through the middle. Webb put a good ball out to Hill and a great shot from the corner of the box was equalled by a good piece of handling from the Follands keeper.

87 minutes and Follands closed the gap when we gave away a penalty and the ball was subsequently planted past lynch to make it 2-1.

Follands pushed forward to grab an equaliser. We benefited from the extra space and Murray overlapped Hill to plant a great cross into the box. Up went Lovell but the keeper made a tremendous save palming the ball away from danger.

We had the ball in Follands box when the whistle went on a well earned three points

Result 2-1

Report submitted by Bernard Scott