WESSEX LEAGUE PREMIER DIVISION
SATURDAY 29TH MARCH 2014
VERWOOD TOWN 1 FAREHAM TOWN 3

Both Clubs searching for points and both in the lower reaches of the division made the game a bit more tasty.

Further juggling with the squad was necessary as illness and players away at work and college meant a bigger need for Ressie support.

It was a good opening from both teams with emphasis on attack. Hill broke left, a cross, and Lovell's header was well taken by the keeper. The drop kick fell into our back four and Molyneaux's head took care of the danger.

We have a curse. It took hold again with 3 minutes gone. A corner dipped onto the penalty spot. An unchallenged header gave Lynch no chance. 0-1. Another early goal.

Our passing deteriorated. We gave the ball away as if it was a hot potato. 8 minutes gone our mid field gifted the ball to Fareham and we had a lucky escape as a player ran free and placed a shot just wide of the post.

We looked lethargic. There wasn't a second ball. In fact there wasn't any first balls !!! Dyer worked hard to rectify the problem and with the help of Molyneaux Gajic and Evans we gradually got into the game.

Evans made a break half way though the half and a well placed low cross into the area was scooped up quickly by the keeper denying Lovell's right boot from connecting.

Hill linked with Foster to ease the ball out of our half and LSP took up the move crossing to the other flank for Evans to make ground. This time Evans tried a shot but the keeper had it covered and palmed the ball away from under the bar. LSP tried a shot from the re bound but a good strong header cleared the area.

Then we had the shock of the season. Unfortunately cameras were pointing in the other direction as …..Dyer shouted….. A momentary stop to play heralded an unprecedented event.

LSP took a knock giving Dan Scott a chance to run on and advertise his new track suit.

39 minutes we got a deserved penalty and we maintained pressure in and around the Fareham box. Up stepped Lovell 1-1.

Both teams went close before the whistle.

Half Time 1-1.

We almost gave away another early goal as good approach work from Fareham forced a corner. In came a high ball and a bundle of players crushed up as the ball whipped into the net. Fareham celebrations were short lived as the ref gave a free kick for a foul.

55 minutes gone and Murray worked his way down the left flank. An excellent cross pin pointed LSP but the shot hit players and re bounded. In came Sam Joy to try his luck but the ball sailed over the bar.

We pushed forward. It was almost suicidal. Cover was thin as a long ball caught us out. Lynch though saved the day racing from goal to head away the danger.

73 minutes saw us with a slight edge on play but Fareham always looked dangerous on the break.

Dan Saxby decided on fresh legs and gave MSP a run in place of Foster.

75 minutes saw the smallest player on the pitch get between our defenders, rise an inch above the turf and plant a header past Lynch. Unbelievable. 1-2.

77 minutes and LSP made way for Tyler Rutten. Seconds after Rutten's entry he was bowled over by a fierce tackle giving us a free kick. Lovell headed on and MSP dipped a shot wide of the post.

We were enjoying a good spell of possession but a long ball had chasers and finished up in our box. We had five in the box and Fareham five. It was like watching ping pong. Then a couple of arms went up and a shout for a goal. The ref gave it. 1-3. Disbelievers watched the linesman indicate that the ball had crossed the line.

A shout for a needy collection followed from the stand so that Spec Savers could benefit from a whip round. The goal stood.

James Guthrie, another of our youth players came on for Sam Joy.

Murray linked with Hill. A cross was followed in by MSP but a hopeful shot only found its way into defenders.

Guthrie collected a pass from Evans and intelligent use of the ball gave Lovell a chance of a shot, but again the keeper was untroubled as the ball went wide.

Gajic and Molyneaux had pushed up each giving a tireless performance as we tried hard to reduce the arrears. We didn't have the cutting edge so suffered a 1-3 score line.

Result 1-3.

Report submitted by Bernard Scott