WESSEX LEAGUE PREMIER DIVISION
SATURDAY 7TH MARCH 2015
WINCHESTER CITY 2 VERWOOD TOWN 0

We really looked forward to this game. Recent performances gave us confidence we could get a good result against a side linked to potential promotion this season.

Carl Poore went for an attacking formation and within a minute of the start felt justification as we forced a corner on the left. The corner was booted clear and the ball landed on the edge of our box. Out came Collins. A pass right found McGilchrist. On to Fisk and a cross was volleyed just over the bar by Whelan.

City hit back with a good move down their left flank. McGilchrist closed down space and Donachy cut across to block runners.

It was a good open game for spectators and at this stage we had the upper hand.

Gajic hit the underside of the bar and then agonised as the ball bounced on the line and skidded out. Rutten followed in but his shot was woefully wide.

Kelly and Donachy had an edge over City's central forwards but it was necessary for McGilchrist and Buck to be more vigilant than normal as City shifted attacks to flank.

Collins took a great catch under the bar from one raid and then was out quickly to head clear as a hopeful punt over our back four landed on the edge of the area.

20 minutes and Fisk went close with low volley followed immediately by a Whelan shot that cleared the bar. We still had most of the possession and continued with an attack minded formation.

Buck opened up a gap for Rutten to try his luck. A strong tackle had the ball spinning up on the edge of the area forcing a scramble. Gajic smashed a rising shot past the keeper but again hit the underside of the bar, on to the post and watched the ball spin away.

A better slice of luck would have had us a couple in front but that clinical finish wasn't there.

City worked hard to pick up midfield and for a while gave our defence a real testing time. Buck made a crucial sliding tackle on the line to stop a cross and Donachy, Kelly and McGilchrist had to be rock solid with their marking to prevent access into the box. James Collins looked confident and made a couple of class saves to send us in at half time with a clean sheet.

Half Time 0-0.

Matt Golby took a bow on 53 minutes with Tyler Rutten making way. It was a straight positional change so no shuffling and maintaining an attacking theme.

Groves, marked tightly, managed to escape the shackles of what appeared to be a second shirt. A pass back to Dyer, Dyer on to Fisk, Fisk back into the middle and Groves just missed connecting in front of the sticks.

Gajic was now finding more the need for a defensive role as Winchester pushed on. Dyer dropped a bit deeper and did well to curb a run through the middle. City was enjoying more possession and roles had reversed with us looking for the counter attack.

59 minutes and a cross into our penalty area caused a scramble. A half clearance saw ball drop nicely for a sharp angled shot to fly past Collins. It was a well taken poachers goal. 0-1.

Fisk went down the centre and tried a shot the keeper scrambled out. A big boot put the ball back in our half. Whelan picked up a Donachy clearance and slipped his marker to send a chip on to Golby. Golby won the race for the bye line and whipped in a low cross that Gajic hit wide.

More pressure was applied as City strung a series of good moves together and both Kelly and Donachy were over employed stemming central attacks.

71 minutes of the half gone and a high ball into our box was only half cleared. It resulted in a gift tap in. 0-2.

The game see sawed for a while. We decided not to defend but try and grab back the deficit. Dyer and Gajic blocked the midfield and intelligent use of the ball opened up a couple of opportunities for Whelan and Groves but we just couldn't find the net.

78 minutes Max Brimson came on for Matt McGilchrist with again a straight positional swap.

Fisk was being marked tighter and felt the closer contact as he was dropped unceremoniously a couple of times trying to wriggle free. Golby suffered a similar fate just on the edge of the area. Up stepped Whelan for this free kick. The keeper must have heaved a sigh of relief as the ball inched over the bar.

Brimson joined in an attack on the right and finished the move with a dipping cross finding Groves. Groves control was first class but the shot didn't match the control standard.

Donachy and Kelly joined a melee in the box for a corner won by an irrepressible Josh Buck. Donachy won the header but grazed the bar. On came James Murray for Fisk with the announcement that 'Muzzer' had done a deed poll and would be in future known as Murphy. Murph's entry didn't change things

First half was ours. The second half belonged to City. Maybe a draw might have been fair but the difference in chances taken clinched the three points.

Result 0-2