WESSEX LEAGUE PREMIER DIVISION
SATURDAY 29TH NOVEMBER 2014
VERWOOD TOWN 0 FAWLEY AFC 1

A crucial game for us. Both teams in the bottom mix so a win would be a massive boost.

We started slowly and almost suffered an early goal as a break down the left resulted in a cross that dipped into the six yard box. Luckily Lynch was alert enough to get underneath it and take a clean catch.

A big launch upfield and Rutten won a tussle to send the ball on to Fisk. A good shot n the run was accurate and on goal but the keeper read it well and made a good save.

A middle of the park period followed with neither side looking as if they would make opportunities to score. We had to wait 15 minutes before Fawley broke the monotony with a good move creating a scramble in our box. Lynch half cleared and it was left to skipper Chas Gajic to put a boot thorough it to make safe.

Josh Buck sparked a run down the left and a switch ball found Rutten. Rutten made ground and slipped the ball back to Buck. A deep cross dropped invitingly in the box but no one had followed up and the opportunity to go ahead was lost.

Whelan's industry in the middle was paying off as we got slowly on top. A resilient Fawley back four kept us outside the box though and we had to make do with long shots. The keeper was on great form so there wasn't really any problem for our visitors at this stage.

We looked lack lustre and that vital spark we had against Plymouth Parkway was missing.

With ten minutes left we broke on the right and Rutten's cross was inches wide of Fosters connecting boot.

McGilchrist headed clear from a high ball into the area and then Lynch took a great catch under the bar as Fawley gathered pace.

Dyer's shot from a Rutten break on the right whistled past the upright and post as the keeper got stranded.

We had a good end to the half with Groves and Fisk trying shots from the edge of the box and a Whelan rocket just going over the bar.

We couldn't find the net. …..

Half Time 0-0

Usually we have a disastrous start to second halves but this time we got stuck in from the whistle and Foster went clear on the right. A cross was headed out but Groves won the battle for the ball and headed back into the area. A boot on the line did the trick and kept the score line at 0-0.

Evans and Buck were finding space on the flanks. Evans benefitted first making his way into Fawley's third and planted a cross onto the penalty spot. Groves tried a shot but defenders blocked route to goal.

Buck Foster and Whelan linked up for Fisk to go free and try a shot but this time it was the keeper in the way of us going ahead.

Whelan won a tackle on the half way line and found Groves in space. Groves on to Fisk back to Groves on to Foster back to Fisk and an angled shot superbly saved by the keeper. It was a good move springing hope for an improvement in performance.

Then disaster. We left it thin at the back. A long ball, a runner and Lynch raced out but only half cleared and from a very narrow angle the ball trickled into the net. 0-1.

We went for broke. Groves had a header tipped round the post and then a Whelan shot from the corner flew inches over the bar.

Fawley defended well and fought for everything. A snap counter attack got them a corner and Lynch made no mistake in punching the ball clear and upfield.

Fisk went wide right and a ball to Whelan gave space for Whelan to try a 25 yarder. A good catch from the keeper and a long punt put Fawley back in our box. McGilchrist rose high to head clear.

Ben Satterley came on for Tyler Rutten with 18 minutes left. His first task was to track a runner and make a telling tackle on the edge of the box as Fawley pushed on. A good break by Satterley took us into Fawley's third and a raking pass found Fisk. Slipping his marker Fisk sent in a low shot but again the keeper went down to his right to make a good save.

10 minutes left and Fawley's fighting spirit took them to just outside our box. A hard low shot was on target but Lynch read it well and took a clean catch. A big punt up field and both Groves and Fisk combined effort to break through Fawley's defensive barrier. They held firm yet again leaving a frustrated front two.

In the closing minutes we pushed everyone up. Even Lynch went up for a corner but we couldn't put a goal on the board.

Result 0-1

Report submitted by Bernard Scott