FA VASE 2ND QUALIFYING
SATURDAY 4TH OCTOBER 2014
VERWOOD TOWN 6 ROMAN GLASS ST GEORGE 4 (After Extra Time)

We started well. Foster made a break down the left within a minute of the whistle but his cross flew across the box and out into touch. Whelan intercepted the throw and let in Fisk for a shot. The keeper was well placed to take a clean catch.

RGSG hit back straight away with a good move down their right and made ground to the outside of the box. In came Buck to make a strong tackle and winning the ball. Buck made ground and chipped an inch perfect ball from the half way line giving Fisk sight of goal. Again the keeper was well placed to take the catch.

RGSG repeated their earlier attack down their right and this time worked the ball across the area. Lynch raced from his line to toe end the ball away to safety. We had been caught pressing up too far without tending to defence.

Only 10 minutes into the game and a challenge in midfield left a RGSG player writhing on the ground with a dislocated kneecap. The game was called to a halt whilst the ambulance service turned up. 35 minutes added time was the result. 4 minutes after the re start we benefitted from applying the extra pressure winning a penalty. Up stepped Whelan to slam the ball past the keeper. 1-0.

Whelan gave a great ball wide to Dyer. Dyer slipped his marker and delivered a terrific ball onto the penalty spot. Foster breezed in but planted his header wide of the post.

We then had 5 minutes of ooh's and aah's as first Fisk crossed for Foster to head his second opportunity wide. Groves then linked with Fisk again. Back to Fisk and another cross fell to Foster. Repeat performance.

34 minutes and Buck put paid to close misses when he raced down the left and cutting into the box slammed the ball past the keeper to put us 2-0 ahead.

We were well on top at this stage and had another couple of chances but couldn't put he ball away.

40 minutes and we camped in the box. Foster hit a shot into defenders then Whelan had the ball touched off his toes just before he could get a shot away. Dyer blocked the clearance and a volley hit a defender and was half cleared.

Groves looked as if he was practising for a stage act as he knocked the ball off his knee rolled it down his shin and gently tucked it into the net. 3-0.

2 minutes later Fisk went free chasing a Gajic through ball but the keeper read it well and was first to the ball to hoof it clear.

Half Time 3-0

We still wonder what RGSG's manager and coach said to the team at half time or what they had in their tea. Whatever it was it should be marketed.

18 seconds gone and a long ball dropped just outside our area. We watched, RGSG players didn't and one of them decided to slip the ball past Lynch .. 3-1.

2 minutes later another ball dropped into our area highlighted what an absolute shambles we were. Maybe we had come out too complacent. RGSG tails were up and put their second goal of the game past Lynch. 3-2.

We rallied a bit and Fisk hit a grubber from just outside the box but the keeper easily gathered.

51 minutes and Fisk sparked a move giving a through ball to Foster. A quick ball to Groves split the visitors and Whelan capitalised by picking up Groves' pass but although this time the keeper was beaten the ball hit the foot of the post and spun wide.

55 minutes and we let in a central ball for a runner to go one on one. 3-3. 56 minutes a high ball landed just outside our box. A measured lob over the advancing Lynch and we found ourselves behind 3-4.

Marchwood beckoned Carl Poore. Absolutely shell shocked.

At least we showed a bit of character and the next raid had defenders doing their job to stop a fifth.

We crept back into contention and on 61 minutes Groves - Whelan - Groves then Fisk put our fourth of the game on the scoreboard as Fisk slammed a cross shot into the net. 4-4.

RGSG hit the bar and then Whelan did the same at the other end.

70 minutes Foster made way for Murray.

87 minutes we had a corner cleared off the line and then the whistle blew for extra time.

Billy Lowes made no mistake with a chance on 94 minutes and we breathed a sigh of relief as we regained the lead.

Matt Groves made way for Damon Cousins on 100 minutes as we pressed forward.

110 minutes and Buck split RGSG in the middle with a great ball for Lowes to grab his second of the game. No more goals to the whistle … Result 6-4.

Report submitted by Bernard Scott