WESSEX LEAGUE PREMIER DIVISION
SATURDAY 1ST FEBRUARY 2014
BEMERTON HEATH HARLEQUINS 1 VERWOOD TOWN 1

Two games had been cancelled since the Poppies mud bath, one in mid week and the other last Saturday because of flooded pitches. Although the rain was still falling we had notice that Bemerton's pitch that would be OK for the fixture !!!!

All credit to BHH. Their pitch was in great condition with no surface water showing.

Saxby was first out of the blocks with a break down the right and a cross shot forced the keeper to dive low but finished saving with feet.

A minute later and Lovell wriggled free to fire a shot over the bar. It looked like being 'one of those days'.

A retaliatory attack down the middle got to the edge of the box but Thoroughgood blocked further progress. A strong tackle took the ball away from danger. A cross found Gjaic. Gajic made ground but was blocked by Bemerton's mid fielders.

Accurate passing from the Bemerton defenders produced several breaks but we had them matched with Kelly Thoroughgood and Evans closing down runners.

Oldring's presence in mid field started to bite and a good move finished with Bemerton's keeper showing his quality with a good catch just under the bar.

Sim dived right to turn the ball round the post then took a high catch as the corner landed in the 6 yard box.

24 minutes and the ball bounced around the area begging for a boot. It was the wrong boot that got on the end of it as Bemerton went 0-1.

It was a fast game with Bemerton having the edge on play.

30 minutes a cross drifted wide of our post and then a minute later Sim used his height to great effect taking a swerving cross off the head of a Bemerton forward.

Hill was showing up well as we hit back. A good run finished with a shot the keeper took well. The drop kick found a runner. A shot on the run had goal written all over it but Sim excelled with a brilliant save.

Half Time 0-1

We had to step up pace and compete for the ball better. It looked as if the message had taken effect as we kicked off with much more purpose.

1 minute and Hill burned the turf with a terrific burst of pace outstripping his marker and slamming a cross intended for Lovell. Lovell's run finished up like his Poppiesd run. Legs akimbo and mud sliding up his shorts as he scudded over the turf.

Oldring had pushed up. 3 minutes and Oldring broke the shackles to reach the edge of the box. A good shot was on target but Bemerton's keeper was untroubled.

Evans drilled a good through ball for Hill to follow up. Hill's shot was half cleared out of the area. Gajic slipped the ball to Saxby his shot on the turn was blocked. Dyer followed in and blasted a shot rom 15 yards. Defenders were in the way. Out it came again and this time Thoroughgood followed in to try a shot. Again good defensive cover stopped the ball just inside the 6 yard box and a huge boot hoofed it clear.

We maintained pressure but had to take care as Bemerton looked very sharp on the counter attack.

12 minutes and Hill's free kick was headed out but fell to Gajic. A great shot beat the defence but not the keeper. Anther fine save.

6 minutes later an exceptional move put together by Bemerton's mid field scythed through our defence but the shot luckily went wide from 10 yards.

Thoroughgood got underneath an 'Up n Under' and then Kelly did the same as Bemerton bombed forward.

30 minutes gone and Ben Satterley came on for Dyer.

38 minutes gone and Tyler Rutten came on for Brad Hill.

Fresh legs gave us a temporary edge but then Bemerton matched the changes and went for their second of the game.

Sim made a good save from an angled shot and then Evans took the ball off a Bemerton toe just inside the area to prevent a shot on goal.

93 minutes gone ..we pressed forward. Lovell took a great pass in his stride and this time instead of doing the splits got into the box. The keeper dropped him.

94 minutes…….penalty. Up stepped a nerveless Oldring. 1-1.

Result ….. 1-1.

Report submitted by Bernard Scott