WESSEX LEAGUE PREMIER DIVISION
THURSDAT 10TH APRIL 2014
FAREHAM TOWN 4 VERWOOD TOWN 0

2 minutes old and we were one down. A quick run down their left and a Fareham delivery into the box went unchecked. A simple tap in and we were 0-1 down whilst thinking about the kick off.

Elsom blocked another quick raid and then Molyneaux headed out a dangerous cross. We were at sixes and sevens as Fareham pushed forward.

A big difference was Fareham's work rate compared with our languid style.

We settled a bit and Hill made ground to release Lovell. Lovell's shot was woefully wide as he was edged away from the area.

Lynch made a good save and then Murray was first in for a hard tackle as we were forced back again.

15 minutes a long ball was chased back by Elsom His tackle was judged a foul in the box. A penalty was despatched wide of Lynch's right hand to make it 0-2.

We were still on the back foot as another attack down the left was allowed freedom and a cut back from the bye line was hammered goalward. Lynch launched himself across the flight of the ball and made a great save.

23 minutes a shot went wide and then another low shot from the edge of our box was blocked and cleared by Evans.

34 minutes and Hampton put a good tackle in to rob a midfielder of the ball. A switch ball found Saxby and a dipping shot was tipped over by the keeper.

36 minutes was a retaliatory strike down the right. A hard low cross was tucked away for Fareham's third. 0-3.

During this spell we couldn't match the pace of the home side and were always second best to any loose ball.

Hill Saxby and Lovell pegged away up front but Saxby had to eventually drop back to forage for the ball.

Elysee had to come off with a hamstring pull and on went Tyler Rutten wide left. Hill switched to right flank.

Ruttens cross with a couple of minutes of the half left was pin point but Lovell's drive flashed over the bar.

Half Time 0-3.

Our notorious slow starts to second halves was evident as we gifted a ball in the middle of the park and a lone runner went on to hammer a low ball past Lynch to make it 0-4

Only 3 minutes of the half had gone but heads didn't drop. We tucked in and looked a bit more disciplined as we gathered some stamina to hit back.

Hampton and Gajic buzzed in the middle and some good wide balls kept both Hill and Rutten busy.

Saxby went free to hit a rising shot on target. Excellent goal keeping kept the sheet clean for Fareham.

Lovell then combined with Hill to break through on the right. A good cross was collected by Rutten. A threaded ball found Saxby on the edge of the area. The keeper again denied Saxby's name getting on the score sheet.

Then we had an unbelievable event. We made 11 passes to our own players before giving the ball away to Fareham !!!!

We pushed forward. Murray launched a cross and Lovell headed just over the bar. Molyneaux joined in for a corner and managed to nod the ball over the box. Gajic hit a left footer that hit defenders on the line.

The ball was hoofed up field to relieve pressure and it took Lynch to come out to knock it back in as we stayed up field.

78 minutes and a free kick just outside our box was on target but Lynch had good hands and made a difficult shot look easy.

Murray came off for Kimber and then Ray Stroud donned the gloves to have 25 minutes in place of Lynch.

Lovell went free to deliver a volley but although this time the keeper was struggling to reach it, a defender headed off the line.

Fareham picked up the running again and a good move down their right resulted in an angled shot testing Stroud. It wasn't a problem. Stroud's throw found Evans and a quick break down the right gave Saxby freedom to try his luck. The keeper again was superb in handling a very difficult ball.

Hill and Hampton worked the ball left and the move finished with Hill hitting the side netting.

Fareham picked up three points for a performance that bettered ours.

Result 0-4.



Report submitted by Bernard Scott