WESSEX LEAGUE PREMIER DIVISION
WEDNESDAY 6TH AUGUST 2014
VERWOOD TOWN 0 LYMINGTON TOWN 4

This was a very different Lymington squad compared to last years who turned up for this fixture.

An early skirmish brought out a fine save from the Lymngton keeper and then a quick counter attack had Lynch taking a good catch in the 6 yard box.

Lymington's approach was no prisoners and very direct. We had to back pedal to stop access into the box and both Dent and Cormack took turns to head clear high balls into the area. An uncompromising mid field stopped our usual flow and balls wide to flank gave Evans and Buck a lot to contend with.

12 minutes into the game and we left a thin defence as we pushed up. We suffered as a free flowing raid on the right resulted in a ball across the area and a good volley gave Lynch no chance to stop Lymington going ahead. 0-1.

A minute later and Whelan hit back with a cracking left foot shot that was on target but too near the keeper's right hand.

A launched ball up field was monitored by Cormack and a header back into Lymingtons third gave Turner a chance but strong defending caused claims for a penalty but went unheeded as the game pushed on.

Dyer worked the ball with Turner and Turner's shot was blocked in the box. Again another high clearance dropped on the edge of our box that Buck swept away as runners closed us down.

Foster almost has us level when gathering a Whelan through ball. Foster's volley was on target, but again too near a very good keeper.

Back came Lymington with another ball into our box. Cormack read it perfectly and brought Dyer into the game with a downward header. Dyer, Gajic and Foster made ground and a low ball opened up the center of defence for Whelan and Turner to make a run on goal. Again the keeper was out quickly to gather.

Lymington's defence was solid. Every ball was challenged and although some were miscued the support from their mid field gave an added safety net.

Turner and Whelan cut through the mid field with 10 minutes left and Turner's shot was delivered into the keepers midrift.

44 minutes and we forced a corner. Up went Cormack to head down towards the inside of the post. Disappointment was etched on his face as he saw the ball flicked off the line.

Half Time 0-1.

The game carried on with a fast pace and a very direct approach to goal from Lymington. The telling point was the accuracy of their deliveries and the willingness of their runners to latch onto anything available.

It kept us busy at the back. Evans and Buck were enjoying the battles. Dent and Cormack were growing in stature as the game progressed.

56 minutes though and we copied our mistake of the first half in pushing up too far leaving ourselves exposed at the back. A raid down the right, a deep cross and a volley from 12 yards flew into the net 0-2.

58 minutes and Foster gave way for Cousins to make an entry.

Cousins was instrumental in creating space for Dyer to race through and try his luck. The shot went wide of the upright.

Gajic forced his way through a couple of tackles as we tried to get back into the game. Lymington's defence held up well as we forced them back.

Turner hit a low ball straight at the keeper and then Whelan tried his luck from the edge of the area but watched it sail past the angle of bar and post.

62 minutes and a snap attack from Lymington had the ball sailing into the 6 yard box. It should have been number three but the header flew wide of the upright.

Buck was really enjoying the freedom Carl Poore had given him to get forward as often as possible and in the 64th minute rounded the full back to fire a great cross into the box. Up went Groves and the header although on target was cleared. Dyer followed in and a left foot rasper went over the top.

67 minutes and Evans gave way for Charlie Elysee to ply his trade. He had plenty to do as Lymington mounted a series of attacks down the flanks.

Elysee cleared one attack down the line and Dyer's cross from the pass found Gajic racing in. The keeper slid across the shot blocking a goal.

84 minutes we gave away a free kick. The shot 20 yards out went through a ruck of players finishing in the back of the net 0-3.

We hit back. Cousins engineered a good move and Groves almost had the ball in the net but the keeper again saved.

92 minutes a long ball down the middle was chased back by Molyneaux but it was deflected past Lynch and a lone runner had all the time in the world to touch it over the line.

Result 0-4

Report submitted by Bernard Scott