WESSEX LEAGUE PREMIER DIVISION
SATURDAY 21ST MARCH 2015
FAREHAM TOWN 2 VERWOOD TOWN 2

A rutted pitch made it hard for any passing game unless it had air under the ball. Farerham had it sussed within the first minute with a lofted ball down the left. A quick cross almost had us behind but the cross was topped by a forward and the ball scuffed its way into dead ball.

We got a grip on runners and with 5 minutes gone McGilchrist broke up an attack releasing Fisk down the left. Fisk was dumped and up stepped Whelan to have the free kick. The ball dropped on the penalty spot causing a scramble and it was a Fareham boot that cleared the ball out of the area.

It wasn't the best football game this season but both sides went full pelt to get three points.

Collins made a good stop from an angled shot and Donachy made an excellent tackle on the edge of the box to stop a shot on goal.

Brimson, wide left received a line ball from Buck and slipping past his marker sent a low ball into the area. Bodies filled the box and it was again a Fareham boot that got to the ball first to clear up field.

Evans had policed the move and a great tackle on the line prevented a runner from getting into our box.

Buck just had the edge on the left flank and some intelligent running gave a couple of openings but we couldn't capitalise.

Half way through the half we had the edge and with 21 minutes gone earned a free kick. Whelan couldn't have placed it better. Donachy glanced his header just wide of the keeper and we went ahead 1-0.

Gajic got into the thick of things challenging hard for high balls and deserved an accolade for persistence and a high percentage of success.

A snap raid on the left opened us up for a shot but Collins was equal to the effort and made a good save low to his left.

34 minutes and the industrious Dyer slipped through a tackle in our third. A good low ball to Whelan split Fareham's defence and Whelan's exchange with Groves ended with Groves slipping the ball back to Whelan for a well placed shot to clip the inside of the post and nestle in the back of the net. 2-0.

A strong rally from Fareham had us back pedalling but we held firm until the whistle, going in at half time 2-0.

Maybe we were too complacent with a half time score line of 2-0 but Fareham were far from dejected and from the whistle moved up a gear.

There was no second ball. It was theirs. A total change was obvious in their approach whilst we sat back in what was though a "Comfort Zone'.

Collins was now busy. A couple of shots tested his concentration. One shot was tipped over the bar and the corner then thumped away. Seconds later Fareham was back in our third and another cross shot was saved at the foot of the post.

There was a flurry from our forwards with Fisk hitting a shot over the angle and Groves topping a shot on the edge of the area. We looked a million miles away from scoring.

12 minutes and we suffered for laxity. Play was strung across the front of our box without a tackle being made. An opening and a left foot shot hit the back of the net. 1-2.

Fareham sensed our weakening and went for it.

Dyer had to drop into defence as we were pushed further back. McGilchrist cleared a shot and then Donachy headed clear a dangerous cross heading for the angle.

Whelan was now being shadowed closely and earned a couple of free kicks as Fareham challenged for possession.

We got caught again being slack on our left and an awkward bounce fell nicely for a shot. A block by Brimson saw the ball skid off a boot and up in the air. It fell for a cross shot and there was no doubting the finish. 2-2.

Fareham's tails were up. We got a lesson in the meaning of 'wanting to win'. Not a bounce went without a Fareham challenge. We wilted. Collins made a good save at the foot of the post and then we almost caught Fareham with a good move out of defence finishing with Fisk Whelan and Groves combining for Whelan to have a shot that hit defenders a foot off the line. The ball bounced once and then was hoofed out of the box.

Max Brimson came off for Tyler Rutten and Rutten's first touch was to cross into the area and to agonise as the ball skidded across the penalty spot with no one following up.

Whelan was making his way forward and was cynically dropped. "Road Rage' took over and Whelan within seconds had dumped his offender. A red card was inevitable.

Fisk came off for Declan Cleft and we tucked in to prevent losing the game. It was a hard call as Fareham pushed on. We survived and probably were pleased with the point at the whistle.

Result 2-2.