WESSEX LEAGUE PREMIER DIVISION
SATURDAY 20TH DECEMBER 2014
BOURNEMOUTH 0 VERWOOD TOWN 2

Two new signings joined us for this game. Liam Donechy stepped in at centre half partnering Ben Kelly, and Bay Downing went wide left. Josh Buck was still missing so the left back spot went to a very versatile Russ Dyer.

For a change we were out of the blocks early with Downing chasing down a ball on the left. A tussle with the full back resulted in a corner. It was a packed goalmouth but the ball evaded most of the bodies landing just on the far post where Foster almost converted but didn't get the right touch.

We pressed hard. Gajic won a midfield ball and chipped the full back to give Downing another run at goal. Downing cut inside but topped the ball on a very bumpy pitch.

Bournemouth strung some good passes together to force us back but Donechy was the winner of the final punt into the area.

Fisk and Whelan worked the ball wide right with Fisk rounding off the move winning a corner. Kelly rose above everyone else but thumped his header wide of the post.

Foster and Downing were busy on the left and a good interchange finished with Foster slamming a shot into the side netting.

Bournemouth rallied and pushed us back. Donechy made a great tackle to stop entry into the area and then Lynch was out quickly to gather a through ball.

Whelan and Groves were marked tightly but Whelan managed to shrug off close attention to release Fisk on the right a good run followed by a low cross was hammered just over the bar by Downing.

Bournemouth switched play to central areas and Kelly and Donechy were overworked for a period but held firm.

Evans was now enjoying more space on the right and with 31 minutes on the clock made a terrific run down the right. A switch ball in to Gajic then on to Foster left Foster 15 yards out from goal. Foster's shot was on target but straight down the keeper's throat.

33 minutes we pushed down the left. Downing shared passes with Whelan and Whelan's turn inside his marker gave space for a shot. A 20 yard rising ball whistled into the top corner of the net 1-0.

Play was then active at both ends of the pitch until the whistle for Half Time.

Half Time 1-0.

We buckled with 4 minutes of the second half gone and a good piece of football finished with Lynch having to make a diving save at the foot of the post.

A move down Bournemouth's right was cut out by Dyer, Dyer again played hero with a strong header from just inside the 6 yard box making a double stop within a couple of minutes.

58 minutes gone and a Foster Fisk move down the left gave space for a shot. The ball was beaten out and Evans stormed in on the right to send in a cross aimed for the far post. Fisk raced in but was dropped resulting in a penalty. Whelan stepped up to do what he's become good at ….burying penalties… 2-0.

Bournemouth steadied and produced some good football pushing us back.

Kelly rose high to head clear and then Donechy stretched a long leg to divert a cross for a corner. Lynch won the battle for the high ball and sent an even higher one up field for Groves to collect. Downing went clear but the keeper closed space and made a good stop.

Fisk hit the side netting as we hit back and Foster whipped a smart shot low for the bottom corner. Again the keeper was on hand to make the save at the foot of the post.

Dyer was having a superb game closing runners and stepping in to cover centrally where necessary.

Gajic and Groves linked up to break centrally with Gajic releasing Fisk for a shot. An inch only separated the ball from hitting the net. The post intervened giving a rebound to the edge of the box. This time Whelan's shot went over the bar.

Bournemouth's resilience went up a notch. Counter attacks became frequent and we had to be aware of the threat on goal.

Lynch was in exceptional form and palming away one ball dropping into the top corner followed up with a stunning save at the foot of the post.

Bournemouth went for broke and pushed players forward. We almost benefitted with a counter attack but again were short on accuracy in front of the sticks.

10 minutes left and Dyer headed clear. The ball fell just outside the box and luckily the volley from the rebound went high and wide.

We had to battle hard to stay in front as Bournemouth mounted attacks. We came through though with a welcome clean sheet and three points.

Result 2-0

Report submitted by Bernard Scott