WESSEX LEAGUE PREMIER DIVISION
SATURDAY 14TH FEBRUARY 2015
VERWOOD TOWN 1 MONEYFIELDS 1

Just three weeks ago, Moneyfields took three points in our league game on their territory. We wanted the three points from today's game to balance the books.

Both teams set off at a fast pace with Moneyfields passing ability edging ours. A quick break down their left was blocked by Evans. The ball spun free for a cross to drop in our penalty box. Collins was quickly out to smother the danger.

We hit back immediately and Dyer switched play to give Fisk a run on the right. A deep cross found Whelan but his shot was deflected and cleared up field. Again it was down Moneyfields right that the attack developed but Evans was quickly in to the tackle to give away a throw.

Donachy intercepted the ball and flicked on to Golby. Golby made ground releasing Groves but Groves had been closely policed and was 'grounded' trying to turn.

14 minutes gone and Gajic stepped in to break up a good move. Donachy whipped the ball out wide and Fisk made ground to cross for Golby. Golby was inches away from connecting and Moneyfields countered quickly. Gajic headed clear and Buck followed up to make a brilliant run down the left. He was disappointed to see his cross caught under the bar.

Moneyfields looked solid at the back and gave very little away. What did escape was covered by a very competent keeper.

Dyer, Richardson and Golby worked the left flank for Golby to finish the move with shot across the keeper. The keeper won this as well. We pushed forward.

17 minutes gone and Richardson headed a high central ball on to Fisk. Fisk went clear and crossed but yet a gain good defending cleared the ball up field. We were caught out and a runner went free to put the ball past an advancing Collins 0-1. It was a lesson learned yet again that clinical finishing is something we have to get right.

Buck and Evans were finding room to overlap and Evans had the ball in the box from a link up with Fisk. Groves half connected so we lost the opportunity to go level.

30 minutes and Buck's tussle with Moneyfields centre forward sadly resulted in Buck being head butted. The referee had no alternative but to flourish a red.

The old adage about ten men being harder to beat than eleven was evident and at the whistle we went in 0-1 down.

Moneyfields kicked off the second half as they finished the first. Dogged determination, good running off the ball and slick passing.

It took us a few minutes to settle before getting more possession.

Golby hit a low drive into the six yard box but watched it cannon off defenders.

Groves turned his man on the edge of the box to try a shot but again a solid defence blocked the effort. It was becoming frustrating.

Whelan shot over the bar and then Fisk forced a corner, Donachy joined in but planted a header over the bar.

On 17 minutes Dyer hit a screamer over the bar and then produced an excellent bit of play to free Groves on the edge of the box. Groves slipped the ball back to Whelan but the shot went over the bar.

22 minutes we got a free kick 25 yards out after pressurising Moneyfield defence. Up stepped Whelan to plant the ball in the top right hand corner. 1-1.

We pushed forward looking for a second. Fisk opened up the left hand side creating an opening for Groves. Groves couldn't get the ball from out of his feet but manages to flick it into the path of Whelan. A rising shot had the keeper beaten but the ball whistled overt the bar.

Moneyfields hit back and forced a corner. The header went inches over the angle of bar and post. It was a close call and flagged up that we couldn't leave anything to chance against such a determined side.

Buck took the ball off toes just outside our area and set off on a trek. Rounding two midfielders Buck then headed straight for goal. Slipping past an outstretched leg and gliding past a full back Buck hit a great shot across the keeper. A diving left hand palm deflected the ball wide of goal and a size 12 hoofed it upfield.

The extra man was paying dividends as we took more and more possession. Richardson went close and Golby had a shot kicked off the line. We couldn't break the defensive shield and Moneyfields survived a torrid ten minutes..

Brimson came on for Fisk in a one for one positional move. Brimson's first touch of the ball was to create a gap for Groves. A long ball over the top of the defenders was inches away from Golby's toe.

Moneyfields soaked up all we had and looked dangerous on the counter. Collins had to be alert to crosses into the box and we had to keep a tight reign in the central area.

On came Declan Cleft for his first team debut, joined by James Murray. It was late in the day and although both got stuck in the score line remained untouched.

We didn't have the ability to notch a second despite a majority of possession. Moneyfifelds must have been pleased with their resilience and the point.

Result 1-1