WESSEX LEAGUE PREMIER DIVISION
WEDNESDAY 2ND APRIL 2014
VERWOOD TOWN 0 BLACKFIELD & LANGLEY 0

For a change we had almost a full squad. Recent turn outs had been problematical but this time we benefitted from a couple of the lads working closer to home.

The game kicked off as we had expected with B&L pushing forward, particularly off the flanks. Elysee took the sting out of the first attack with a tackle near the flag and then quickly followed with a clearance from the edge of the box.

B&L stayed on the attack. A ball chipped into the box was intended for a couple of runners but it was Dan Molyneaux's head that took care of the danger.

5 minutes gone and a shot got through but Lynch read it well and made a good catch.

It took us 15 minutes to get into the game. Evans made the first break down the right and an angled cross found Lovell steaming in on the far post. A powerful header was tipped over the bar. The corner dipped onto the penalty spot and a size 14 boot hoofed it clear.

Hill made a run on the left. Jinking inside his marker Hill unleashed a great shot but hit the foot of the post.

Saxby won a tackle in the middle of the park and exchanging with LSP moved into B&L territory. A ball wide found LSP. LSP's left foot cross caused the keeper concern but drifted inches wide of the upright.

B&L's crisp passing took them through our mid field and a rasping shot from 20 yards brought out a great save from Lynch.

Evans blocked an attack down the left and then Hampton helped the cause with a strong tackle on the touch line giving away a fee kick. A swerving ball dropped invitingly but the shot from 25 yards went high and wide.

It was then a long spell of B&L's possession but we got behind the ball well to weather the storm.

Lovell worked hard up front and had to contend with two excellent centre backs. He wriggled free on one occasion but suffered when after a firing a great shot watched it fly over the bar.

Gajic Hill and Saxby linked to produce our best move of the half but again the ball nestled in the trees rather than the net.

Half Time 0-0

It's been the norm for us to be asleep at the start of the second half but on this occasion the adrenalin was high and for a change we had B&L defending.

Saxby worked the left flank with LSP and LSP's 25 yarder unfortunately flew straight into the keeper's hands. A long throw released a runner and a terrific shot was taken well by Lynch.

We went back down the right. Evans chipped into the middle and Lovell turned his marker to try a shot from the edge of the box. Only pigeons were disturbed.

12 minutes we pressed and won three consecutive corners. Activity in the box didn't yield so the brief spell of camping in B&L's area finished without any score line change.

Molyneaux and Dyer worked the ball out of our area after Lynch had palmed away a shot. Dyer slipped the ball to Hill and a terrific run took him clear of his marker. The result was the side netting whipped up.

We couldn't put the ball away. Equally B&L's efforts must have frustrated their touch line management.

Pushing up too far has always been a problem for us. 70 minutes gone and a clearance found a runner on the left. Evans desperately raced back but couldn't halt the attacker. A shot on the run was athletically palmed over the bar by Lynch.

In came the corner. Up went several heads but it was Molyneaux's that won the battle and headed clear.

Hampton's tackle 25 yards out was judged too fierce so a free kick was awarded. The ball found it's way through the wall and hit the foot of the post. Dan Saxby changed his underpants.

Dyer blocked a shot and then Gajic took the sting out of an attack heading clear of the area.

It was a torrid few minutes but we worked ourselves out of the defensive shell and Lovell almost put us ahead with a run down the right and finishing the run with a shot that the keeper saved at the foot of the post.

Dyer broke through but only to watch his volley fly inches wide of the bar and post.

Elysee worked the ball forward with Hill and from the corner flag whipped in a cross that Lovell headed on. Saxby volleyed the dropping ball but watched his effort go wide.

The whistle blew with no goals scored.

Result 0-0.



Report submitted by Bernard Scott