WESSEX LEAGUE PREMIER DIVISION
FRIDAY 1ST AUGUST 2014
VERWOOD TOWN 4 CHRISTCHURCH 0

Our first league fixture of the new season couldn’t have been bettered for interest and consequently a reasonable crowd.

The opening spell edged in our favour with high work rate and good football throughout the side.

Turner’s speed off the mark took him wide of central defenders. A cross found Whelan, back to Buck, back to Whelan and a through ball to Groves split the Christchurch defence. Groves chip into the box caused a scramble and a big boot cleared the danger.

Christchurch clearance found a runner but Cormack was quick to block the attack and divert the ball into touch.

9 minutes old and Gajic won a tussle for the ball releasing it to Whelan. A quick pass inside the full back gave space for Dyer to cut in and a low shot whipped past the keeper into the bottom corner of the net. 1-0.

Christchurch response was to push on, winning a free kick. Dent read it well and a powerful header cleared the area. Groves picked up the loose ball and a wide ball found Foster. Foster’s run into the box was halted by a strong tackle blocking his shot.

12 minutes we forced a corner on the right. Dyer’s accuracy was spot on as he found Gajic racing in to power a header into the roof of the net. 2-0.

Christchurch hit back down the right but Buck was on hand to cut out the danger and bring Foster into play. Foster made ground and whipped the ball wide to Evans on the overlap. An excellent cross was punched away by the keeper.

Turner’s running off the ball dragged defenders giving a bit of room for Groves to have a crack at goal. Again a well placed keeper took the catch.

31 minutes we got back on top and Cormack had time to link up with Groves to try his luck in front to of the sticks. A defenders head got in the way of a screamer.

33 minutes and pressure paid off when another strong tackle outside the Christchurch box was judged a foul. Up stepped Whelan and a low shot headed for the bottom corner. Groves stepped over the ball and the keeper was too late getting down to prevent us going 3-0 ahead.

Half Time 3-0

Christchurch half time adrenalin shots looked to be working as they pushed forward quickly. A snap raid on their right was intercepted by a very much in form Buck and a line ball gave Groves a counter attacking chance of a goal from just outside the box. A shot on target followed but hit defenders.

5 minutes and a Dyer cross was flicked on by Groves for Foster to take on the full back. Foster cut inside and a low cross merely needed a toe poke but it was the keeper first to the ball.

Dent controlled a high ball and a brilliant cross field pass to Whelan opened up Christchurch defence. The keeper was off his line and Whelan’s chip deserved a goal but went inches wide.

It was Christchurch then taking possession for a period and although a couple of efforts were on target there was no sting in the tail and Lynch took what was thrown at him comfortably.

60 minutes we almost scored again but after a ping pong session in the area the ball was knocked out for a corner. A high ball across the box was palmed out by the keeper followed by a big boot down the line. Cormack was across quick to block the attack.

62 minutes and we attacked down the left. Whelan cut across the area and hit an angled shot that the keeper did well to hold.

65 minutes and Gajic came off to give Rutten a run up front.

69 minutes and Turner turned his marker. A ball wide to Dyer and a resultant low ball into the box could have given Rutten a goal had his feet been a bit bigger.

72 minutes and a good piece of progressive football from Christchurch mid field opened us up a bit and a snap shot went wide.

Play was confined to the middle of the park for a short time. It was Whelan breaking play up with a good tackle and forcing his way past a couple of tackles that changed territory. Turner went wide and Whelan slipped the ball to feet. A cross found Dyer and a rasping shot from 20 yards went inches wide.

15 minutes to go Groves and Foster came off to give Elysee and Cousins a run.

Both players slotted in quickly and were instrumental in an attack almost resulting in Turner getting on the score sheet.

43 minutes and we maintained pressure. There was no slackening. A ball into the box was mis-headed and Turner followed in past the keeper to make sure he had his name on the score sheet 4-0.

RESULT 4-0

Report submitted by Bernard Scott