WESSEX LEAGUE PREMIER DIVISION
SATURDAY 11TH OCTOBER 2014
VERWOOD TOWN 2 BROCKENHURST 2

Dean Evans and Charlie Gajic both missed this fixture, Dean because of matrimonial vows and Charlie because of a red card. We still had a good squad and the day also saw the introduction of new signing Matt Golby.

Only one minute old and Buck robbed his opposite number of the ball on the half way line mading his way to the bye line. A cut back found Golby but Golby's shot went straight to the keeper.

Brockenhurst's answer was to break on their right and a low cross into the box was well read by Dent. A neat side foot clearance found Billy Lowes on he right. Lowes moved the ball on to Whelan, on to Golby but a right foot volley whipped over the bar.

11 minutes and we continued to press. Billy Lowes chased and harried winning the ball just outside the box. A half tackle saw the ball go high over the backs and Groves capitalised sending a perfect header into the corner of the net. 1-0.

A quick retaliatory break had Lynch racing off his line to boot the ball away from the area.

15 minutes and Whelan dropped the ball on the edge of the area for Fisk to round the back and the keeper, slipping the ball into the bottom corner for goal number two. 2-0.

Brockenhurst rallied and pressed us back. Cousins was on hand to win an important header in the area and then Anderton hit the stand with a clearance preventing a shot on goal.

Buck went on lone attack making the bye line but only to see his cross well taken on the penalty spot by the keeper.

Brockenhurst then forced the pace with some good football and winning more and more first time balls. On 34 minutes they won a penalty and made no mistake slamming the ball wide of Lynch's right hand. 2-1.

A free kick brought out a good save from Lynch and then a one on one gave Lynch another opportunity to show his capabilities.

Groves went close with a shot and then Fisk headed over the bar.

A golden chance fell to a Brockenhurst runner but luckily for us the shot went high over the angle of bar and post from only 3 yards out.

Half Time 2-1.

We usually have a nightmare first couple of minutes at the start of a second half but this time made the running with Golby Whelan and Groves making progress. Billy Lowes slammed a shot following up the move but the keeper did well to hold it.

Back came Brockenhurst. Dyer, having a good game in an unusual spot for him at right back cut out the pass and slipped the ball into the path of Fisk. A right foot low shot clipped the foot of the post.

54 minutes and Damon Cousins came off to give James Murray a run.

2 minutes later it was Murray linking with Golby almost bringing number 3, but Golby's shot hit the side netting.

Brockenhurst were now edging play. Lynch was forced into a flying save and then Dyer timed a tackle to the 'nth degree to stop a shot on the edge of the area.

Buck and Anderton blocked a raid on the right and then Brockenhurst went close with a rising shot over the bar.

It was real cut and thrust with both teams holding a tight defensive pattern outside the box.

Buck went free on the left and a line ball to Fisk opened up Brockenhurst on their right. A low cross into the box was just missed by Groves outstretched right foot.

Fisk followed up his effort with another shot from the edge of the area and this time it was the keepers right leg diverting the ball round the post leaving the scoreboard untouched.

Lowes forced his way through a couple of tackles in the middle of the park and tried a rising shot forcing the keeper to flick the ball over the bar. In came the corner and Groves almost had the ball in the net but bodies blocked the ball from crossing the line.

5 minutes left and a cross from the right was only half cleared. That's all Brockenhurst needed and a well taken goal followed. 2-2.

It was a real see saw finish as both teams went for broke. One shot blazed a trail over the bar from Brockenhurst and then Foster who had come on for Golby hit the side netting with an angled shot.

No more goals and the whistle blew on 2-2 result

Report submitted by Bernard Scott