WESSEX LEAGUE PREMIER DIVISION
WEDNESDAY 28TH JANUARY 2015
WHITCHURCH UNITED 1 VERWOOD TOWN 0

Verwood made the long trek to Whitchurch on a Wednesday night looking for a fourth straight victory but had to go without the unavailable Ben Kelly and Chris Lynch and without Dan Munday now departed for Blackfield & Langley. James Collins deputised in goal, Russell Dyer returned from suspension and Tyler Rutten stepped up from the bench. On a bitterly cold night there were few chances at either end in the first 20 minutes. The home team looked the most dangerous due to a succession of corners but all were dealt with by the Verwood defence. Verwood started to get into the game and a great cross from Evans just eluded Groves at the near post. On the half hour mark Evans again linked with Fisk and Whelan to set up Gajic but his 20 yard shot went just wide. Shortly after Rutten had to leave the field with a leg injury and was replaced by Kimber.

Verwood had a let off on the stroke of half time when the referee deemed Evans' push on the striker a foul but awarded a free kick on the edge of the box when all around were convinced it was a yard inside. The kick was well saved by Collins on the line and Verwood had kept a clean sheet in the first half for the tenth consecutive league game.

HT 0-0

After a quiet opening ten minutes to the second half Verwood began to exert some control and our best chance so far came when Whelan's corner was headed goalwards by Donachy only for the keeper to block it on the line with his legs. Straight away a super ball from Groves found Fisk charging in to the box but he fired high over the bar. On 60 minutes the home team were reduced to 10 men when a defender was red carded for something he must have said to the referee. Following this Verwood mounted further pressure and the home team's goal led a charmed life.

75 minutes and disaster struck. The home team were awarded a penalty. Donachy was deemed to have handled but I guarantee he knew nothing about it. The referee had infuriated the hosts with some of his decisions, suffice to say this was not one of them. The penalty duly converted and we were somehow trailing having dominated the second half. 1-0

We pushed hard for an equaliser which was the least we deserved for our evenings work. Whelan went close twice with shots, once after a 1-2 with Groves which went just wide and then when Buck cleverly dribbled his way to the by line and pulled it back this time Whelan's shot was beaten away by the keeper. Further chances came but were not converted and we left empty handed and can consider ourselves unlucky to say the least.

F T 1-0