WESSEX LEAGUE PREMIER DIVISION
TUESDAY 25TH FEBRUARY 2014
HORNDEAN 2 VERWOOD TOWN 0

Despite a mini wet spell during the day the ground was OK. Horndean committee had done well to make it playable.

We were still settling when a long throw opposite our box dropped nicely on the edge of the 6 yard box. We watched…..Horndean acted… 0-1.

A typical Verwood scenario this season.

Matt Oldring mustered the troops but it was like trying to get the Terracotta Army moving. We were static.

10 minutes into the game we warmed to the occasion and Oldring supported by Kelly sparked a counter reaction. Lovell chased a through ball from Dyer and a clip over the keeper skipped over the net.

Horndean hit back down their right and a deep cross was met by an inrushing forward who is now on our Christmas list by planting a clear cut chance over the bar.

Joy jinked past his marker to fire a shot into the side netting and then Gajic sent Hill away down the left flank to open up a tight Horndean defence. Hill whipped his cross across the penalty spot and Lovell's side foot went just wide of the post.

The game was now open and for the spectators a good exhibition of two teams trying hard to pick up three points.

Evans robbed an attacker and raced down the right. A cross found Lovell. A swivel and shot should have produced a goal but a defender blocked the effort and cleared.

We were enjoying a bit more possession and Lovell linking with Gajic opened up a gap. Lovell's threaded ball fell nicely for Hill but again a tremendous effort should have been a leveller but for a great save by the keeper.

Joy won a tussle and slipped the ball to Gajic. A fierce tackle robbed Gajic and a fast counter had Horndean in the box to force a brilliant save by Lynch.

Oldring planted a cross into Horndean's box but was frustrated to find no one had followed up.

Horndean had a good chance but a diving header went wide. On the whistle Oldring drove a shot inches wide of the post.

Half Time 0-1

A few long balls from both teams at the start of the half gave the game a different slant from the football produced in the first half and from one long ball Hill wriggled free to slide the ball across the box. Lovell prepared for the shot but a great interception robbed an opportunity to draw level.

The clearance fell nicely for a runner. The tackle in the box was judged too robust and 51 minutes recorded a 0-2 scoreline as the penalty was tucked into the bottom corner.

Again an early gift.

Dyer collected from Oldring. The ball went wide to Evans, a run down the right opened up space but Evans cross shot whistled wide of the foot of the post.

Oldring put a header over the bar and a mazy dribble by Hill finishing with entry into the box allowed a shot to test the keeper. The keeper won.

Frustration at missed chances was evident. Lovell hit the bar and Gajic hit the post in a mid half flurry.

Joy came off to give Foster a run, and within a minute Foster was floored by a tackle giving us a free kick. Dyers chip dropped nicely for an Oldring header but yet again direction was miscued.

Lynch went high to catch a deep cross into the box and his throw gave Hill a run down the left. Hill cut inside and what is normally his standing foot whipped a shot past the keeper but inched past the angle of bar and post.

Molyneaux's contribution was immense. Cover at the back and then linking with mid field, Molyneaux was in the thick of things when his pass to Lovell split Horndean at the back. Lovell went clear into the box but the keeper made a great save at feet.

We pressed forward trying hard to reduce arrears. Oldring had a shot kicked off the line and Hill rapped a shot onto the top of the post.

81 minutes Rutten came on for Gajic. Fresh legs took him clear of a mid field marker. Progress down the right gave space for a cross from the bye line. Lovell went high, a defender headed out. Oldring headed back, again the ball was headed clear.

Horndean hit back immediately. We had pushed too far upfield and exposed ourselves at the back. Lynch judged it to perfection and a save at feet left the score line at 0-2.

We had a late attempt at goal but the keeper again was in excellent form.

Result 0-2.


Report submitted by Bernard Scott