WESSEX LEAGUE PREMIER DIVISION
SATURDAY 21ST FEBRUARY 2015
VERWOOD TOWN 5 NEWPORT IOW 0

The game had a lot of pace from the whistle. Slick passing within the Newport team created the first opening and a topped shot fell easily for Collins to gather.

We hit back through Fisk and a good cross was cut out by the centre half.

Richardson tracked back to stop a shot on the edge of our box and a good cross field ball found Brimson in space. Brimson's progress was halted by a strong tackle on the bye line and from which we gained a corner. Whelan's 'floater' dropped on the spot and a Groves effort was blocked and cleared.

Kelly did well to cut out a central attack and then Donachy won a challenge in the area to head clear as Newport gained momentum.

Collins palmed away a cross from under the bar and then Buck stopped a run on the right as we were forced back under a stream of Newport attacks.

Dyer and Richardson worked like Trojans just in front of our back four and holding midfield. Gradually their efforts paid off as we gained possession and counter attacked.

Whelan working the ball through the middle with Groves whipped in a snap shot from just outside the Newport box and the keeper did well to punch clear. Fisk picked up the loose ball and fired a cross for Brimson to follow in on but blasted wide.

21 minutes and we forced a corner on the left. Whelan's direction was spot on as Kelly rose above defenders to plant a header into the roof of the net. 1-0.

We were finding room for the backs to overlap and Evans clipped in a cross for Groves to head, on from the penalty spot. Again the keeper took the ball from under the bar and launched the highest ball of the day into our box. Donachy and Kelly's discipline was spot on as runners followed in but denied a touch by a Kelly downward header for Donachy to clear.

Buck was getting a bit more freedom and enjoyed a couple of runs linking with Brimson. One run ended with Buck taking the ball across the front of the box and hitting a right foot shot just past the post.

43 minutes and Newport pressed us back winning a free kick. In it floated. Again it was the Kelly Donachy combination that cleared the danger. Donachy found Whelan. A cross field ball to Fisk and Fisk made 30 yards before unleashing low volley across the keeper. Another good save took us in at half time just ahead.

Half Time 1-0

A couple of minutes only had elapsed when Newport sprung a quick attack on their right. The cross was mishit and Collins took an easy catch.

Newport stayed on the attack and with 4 minutes gone forced their way through on the left. Evans blocked the cross. The re bound fell nicely for a lob onto our penalty spot but Donachy got underneath it to head clear.

We worked hard to regain possession and with 10 minutes of the half gone looked to be gaining the upper hand.

Brimson slid the ball just past the post from a Fisk cross and then had to limp off still suffering from bruising following his injury at Alresford.

On came Oldham and was unfortunate not to put the ball in the net from his first touch as the ball squirmed across the box just out of reach.

56 minutes and we were still on top. Whelan Dyer and Richardson created space from a good piece of football and the cross was caught just right for Groves to put the ball past the keeper. 2-0.

Newport seemed a bit leaden footed at this stage and we benefitted from an on form Fisk and a stronger performance from Whelan.

Oldham jinked past a defender and hit a great shot on target. The keeper did well to palm it away.

Whelan won a tussle in the middle of the park and sent Oldham free on the left. A cut back found Dyer and a good cross was inched past the post by Groves.

Richardson came off for McGilchrist and again it was a straight positional change.

Evans collected a long high clearance into our half and bulldozed his way past two tackles before crossing into the box. Whelan's shot was deflected and then Oldham following in had his shot saved on the line.

Dyer to Whelan. Whelan to Groves. One on One. The keeper won saving with his legs. The ball was half cleared and then fired back into the box. McGilchrist won the race and slid the ball past the keeper to make it 3-0.

Golby came off the bench for Groves on 78 minutes taking up the centre forward position.

A minute later Whelan's billiards skill paid off. Latching on to the ball just inside the area Whelan fired a low shot that hit the heel of a defender. It then spun on to hit the shin of another defender finally clipping a heel on the line. It then hit the bottom of the post to roll into the net. 4-0.

3 minutes later we broke on the left. Oldham slipped the ball across the box and went for the return. Golby and Fisk exchanged and then slipped the ball into space for Oldham to produce a great volley that sped past the keeper to give us a very healthy win and a valuable 3 points.

Result 5-0.