WESSEX LEAGUE PREMIER DIVISION
WEDNESDAY 20TH AUGUST 2014
VERWOOD TOWN 0 ANDOVER TOWN 1

8 minutes old and we almost went ahead when a cross from Evans boot dropped nicely for Fisk on the edge of the box but the shot hit a defender and bounced clear.

Andover's response was a long line ball for a runner to connect but Buck read it well and cut out the danger.

A tussle in the middle of the park followed and lasted for the first quarter of the game. Whelan and Dyer seemed to have an edge but Andover's mid field worked hard to stop any breaks.

Munday's return to the fold was welcome as was his effort in the 22nd minute almost catching the keeper off his line.

Gajic linked well with Fisk a minute later as we maintained attack. Fisk found Whelan clear and a great shot whistled just over the bar.

Andover moved the ball quickly down the left and a deep cross was well taken by Lynch. A long kick was returned to our half and Anderton won the header sending the ball on to Whelan. A jinking run looked good until an Andover tackle took him and the ball over the line. Evans hurled the ball into Andover's area but again Andover's defence was rock solid and the ball was quickly despatched into our third.

Buck's pace paid off when he caught a runner just outside the area. Working the ball back up field Buck swapped passes with Dyer. Dyer finished the move with a chip into the middle and Munday almost put us ahead with a ground shot but the keeper was in the right spot to gather.

32 minutes Andover's corner was allowed to bounce in the area and an Andover boot touched it over the line. 0-1.

A minute later Munday smashed a shot for the top corner but the keeper made an exceptional save tipping it over the bar.

Turner dropped the ball onto the spot. Fisk tried a volley but bodies blocked the way to the net. Finally the ball was cleared finding a runner. Lynch raced out of goal blocking the shot and saving blushes.

The half closed with Fisk going wide left chipping a ball in the box for Munday to try his luck only to watch the ball go wide of the upright.

Half Time 0-1

Straight from the kick off we attacked. Within a minute Gajic had let in Whelan to fire a shot for goal. The ball whistled over the bar.

Turner then made ground and tried his luck with a hopeful shot from 25 yards.

Andover soaked up what we had to offer and worked the ball back up field. A pass wide left caught us napping at the back but luckily the shot went wide.

Lynch then made a good ground save as Andover mounted pressure.

10 minutes saw Evans breaking up an attack and going wide right brought Munday into play. Munday's shot was blocked. Whelan swept in and tried his luck but again hit bodies. Whelan collected a half clearance and slipped the ball back to Evans. This time Evans tried himself to score but the ball finished up over the line for a goal kick.

Back came Andover. A good bit of football took them to the edge of the box and Cormack had to judge his tackle to the n'th degree to touch the ball off toes in the area.

The game see sawed with both teams attacking. Good for spectators but not so much for the dug outs. Buck weaved his way forward and dinked a cross onto the spot. Fisk tried a shot but the keeper had it covered.

60 minutes Foster came on for Fisk and was immediately in the mix.

Buck cut across mid field and then switched the ball wide to Foster. Foster made ground but was dumped on his derriere. Gajic took the free kick but saw it sail over the bar into the trees.

Evans and Munday broke free on the right. Munday took the inside ball across the box and tried a shot. The ball inched its way over the bar. It wasn't our day.

Back came Andover. Good football and a 'want to win' attitude forced us back. Lynch made a good save and then Molyneaux and Cormack had to contend with a series of balls into the 6 yard box.

Andover should have had a second when a cross dropped in open space but the shot was wild and wayward.

Carl Poore urged on defenders to join the attack. Evans went wide to cross for Munday but the ball was just too high for Munday to connect. Whelan then tried to score with a grubber followed by Foster smashing an effort over the top.

It was a grandstand finish but the day belonged to Andover and 3 points went into their pot.

Result 0-1

Report submitted by Bernard Scott