WESSEX LEAGUE PREMIER DIVISION
TUESDAY 21ST JANUARY 2014
BOURNEMOUTH 1 VERWOOD TOWN 0

It was a surprise to find out in the middle of the afternoon that the game had been declared ON. Rain was beating down as players arrived to get changed into their wet suits.

The first attack took only a minute for Poppies to get into their stride. A high ball down their right took out mid field. Murray was on hand to block the run but giving away a throw in close to the bye line.

Lynch slipped going up for the ball but still did a great job holding the catch. Saxby went wide right to collect an Evans line ball and hit a head height ball into the box for Lovell. Lovell's run was blocked and the ball partly cleared. Hill slammed it back for goal but the keeper showed safe hands.

Poppies pushed forward. The game was being played at a high tempo despite the persistent downpour. Poppies almost had the ball in the net with some good edge of the area stuff followed up with a fierce drive just over the bar.

2 minutes later a cross shot was deflected heading for goal but Lynch did a magnificent job in clawing the ball over the bar. The corner was an inswinger but again Lynch beat everyone to the ball taking a clean catch.

Oldring broke up a central attack and then was on hand again to head a high ball out of the box.

Webb sent Lovell clear with ten minutes of the half left but Lovell's feet went in one direction while his body went in another.

Dyer worked hard to contain an attack on the right and sparked a Hill run with a ball inside the full back. A shot from the corner of the box hit the bar and flew over.

38 minutes and we gave a way a free kick just outside the area. A 20 yard shot ripped through the defensive wall and looked destined for the roof of the net. Lynch athletically flipped the ball over the bar.

A rousing finish to the half saw Poppies have a couple of shots and in response we clipped the foot of the post and had a direct shot on goal well saved by a good keeper.

The whistle blew for half time as a Poppies dipping shot was headed out of the box by Kelly.

Half Time 0-0.

The rain kept up its monotony. The pitch reflected lights off the puddles as we kicked off again.

We were first to attack with a Hill and Lovell combination freeing up Gajic just outside the box. A rising shot was tipped over the bar.

The corner was collected by the keeper and a quick up field punt put Poppies just outside our box. Kelly was in quickly and the ball then taken up by Oldring as it spun free. Good feet took it past an attacker and Odring raced up field. A ball to Webb was flicked on to Saxby and a shot was well taken by the keeper.

Poppies hit back. Good football cut through us in the middle and a switch ball wide left split us just outside the box. Space gave opportunity for a shot. Again Lynch had to produce…..he did.

Saxby went free and tested the keeper. The pitch was gluey but the keeper managed to scramble along the line to save.

Hill forced a corner. Kelly went up and the header went wide.

Evans overlapped Saxby and a good combination threaded its way through Poppies left hand side. Evans rounded off the move with a great shot but saw the ball headed clear. Gajic headed back in and Oldring nodded on but over the bar.

Football along the deck got harder. The ball was slowing up a lot as players tried running with it. The style of play had to change so we witnessed a switch to a longer ball by -passing the middle of the park.

Both teams were trying hard to keep an open game and as the pitch quality deteriorated it gave rise for mistakes.

Both defences suffered with slippage but the keepers kept on top of their game keeping the score card blank.

Lovell went clear with 12 minutes left but was taken out completely with a sliding tackle on the edge of the area. The free kick was blasted over Poppies bar.

Both areas were now hit with long balls. Scrambles in the box became commonplace. Molyneaux Kelly and Oldring were strong on the tackles and headers whilst Evans did a great job chasing down anything on the edge of the area.

5 minutes left. A high ball into our box plopped on the surface. Feet went in. The ball looked as if had been employed in a bingo machine. Up and down, over the top and finally toe poked just over the line.

Result 0-1

Report submitted by Bernard Scott