WESSEX LEAGUE PREMIER DIVISION
SATURDAY 15TH MARCH 2014
VERWOOD TOWN 1 NEWPORT 2

A few missing squad members meant a shuffle for Adie Arnold and Andy Dartson. Two new additions to the squad though means a brilliant help to those of us reporting as the name takes up half an A4 keeping the brain free.

On the bench Ben Satterley, Tyler Rutten, James Murray, Leighton Speechley -Price and Mitchell Speechley -Price (see what I mean).

Both teams went for it from the whistle. It proved a testing time for both goal areas. Lynch was at his best with a couple of excellent catches whilst at the other end a great save at the foot of the post and a flick over the bar proved it was going to be something spectacular to beat the keepers.

15 minutes and Newport worked the ball through the middle of the park. Reaching the edge of the area a shot was fired in but blocked by Kelly. The rebound was sent wide right. A cross was punched out by Lynch. The ball was pumped back in but this time Lynch took a clean catch.

25 minutes and Newport opened us up in the middle. A great through pass between our backs gave room for a runner and a dink over the advancing Lynch put the score at 0-1.

28 minutes we won a free kick. Saxby floated the ball on to Dyer's head and a good powerful attempt was deflected and cleared.

Dancer was struggling. Knee problems forced substitution and on came Leighton Speechley Price. Known further on as LSP.

Evans won a tackle on the right. Making ground fund LSP in space and moved on for the return. A high cross was turned goalwards by Lovell. The keeper gathered just under the bar.

Gajic powered past a marker but was then stopped short by a strong tackle dispossessing him of the ball. The resultant pass cleared the way for a counter attack but Molyneaux intercepted and sent a raking pass to Evans to attack down the right.

5 minutes to go and Horndean moved down their left. A cross angled into the box from between the half way line and edge of area was deceptive and bounced for a runner to try his luck 10 yards out … a blaster … but a pigeon killer.

Gajic and LSP linked to try a shot on the whistle but couldn't change the score.v

Half Time 0-1.

1 minute 30 seconds and the VTFC malaise struck again. A complete cock up in defence allowed a player through. Lynch punched the effort out but the re bound hit shins and drifted over the line to make it 0-2.

Evans worked the ball to Gajic. Gajic sent it back and Evans cross was headed clear. The ball was pumped over our mid field. Evans raced back and was in the box in time to deflect a low cross out for a throw.

Oldring got under it to head out but the ball was whipped back in for Lynch to make an excellent catch.

Foster was having a battle in mid field and sheer grit and determination took him through a couple of tackles to free up Lovell. Lovell slipped the ball to LSP and a shot on the run was accurate but not troublesome for the keeper.

We pushed forward with Gajic and Lovell the springboard for attacks. Gajic volleyed over the bar before Lovell had headed over from a Saxby cross.

Saxby tried a shot and then Evans moved just outside the box to receive a ball from Lovell. An outside of the boot curler should have been a goal but an acrobatic keeper flicked it wide.

Murray came on for Foster and a juggle with the formation seemed to give us an edge for a spell. Newport got a firmer grip.

Molyneaux headed clear from a corner and then Kelly hoofed a hopeful cross shot out of the area.

72 minutes and pressure paid off. Murray went down the left. A good pass inside and Lovell spun to give a through ball to LSP. A left foot was sufficient to divert the ball past the keeper to close the score line. 1-2.

Ben Satterley came on for Evans with 73 minutes gone. Management had gone for another attacker to see if we could earn a point or three.

Saxby Dyer and Satterley worked he ball through the middle and a shot from Saxby went wide.

Newport packed their defence as we pushed on. Lynch was unemployed for a while as we tried hard to break the scoreline.

88 minutes saw Lovell break through to the edge of the box but again frustration as the ball sailed high overt the bar.

Result 1-2.

Report submitted by Bernard Scott