WESSEX LEAGUE PREMIER DIVISION
SATURDAY 4TH APRIL 2015
VERWOOD TOWN 0 PETERSFIELD TOWN 3

Lynch, Buck, Brimson, Whelan, Fisk and Murray all missed this one so it was a very much a changed squad and starting line up than usual.

We were still settling when Petersfield forced a corner. It was judged perfectly to land on the penalty spot and equally as well judged by Petersfied's players who out jumped our defenders to put the ball in the net to go one up in 90 seconds.

Cleft, playing at left back for the first time in his life did well to block a cross minutes later and then made a run down the left to free up Rutten. Rutten's run across the box was halted by a strong tackle.

"Taff' Richardson did well to break up a move through the middle and swinging the ball wide found Dyer. Dyer raced away from his marker and slipped the ball to George Richardson on the right. G.R cut the ball back to Evans and went for the return. A long leg dropped him unceremoniously on the touch line.

Evans took the free kick and Donachy almost headed home from close in but the side netting was the only thing ruffled.

Petersfield worked the ball forward and Collins had to bring off a good save as a shot whipped in from the edge of the box headed for the roof of the net.

We still looked a bit disjointed as Petersfield commanded play. We snatched breaks but a good defence blocked the way to goal.

13 minutes gone and a break through the middle finished with a high lob cum shot into the box, a remarkable dip, and the ball dropped over Collins to make it 0-2.

5 minutes later Gajic sprung an attack giving Rutten freedom to race on goal. Only the keeper to beat, but Rutten was caught by a defender before getting a shot away and the opportunity was lost.

Groves held up a 'Taff' pass through the middle and Dyer picked up the knock on to drive it wide.

Petersfield pushed forward and played some good football to reach the edge of our box. A shot luckily grazed the foot of the post and skipped for dead with Collins stranded.

Rutten's energy forced a corner. In it dropped. 'Taff' half connected and the ball was kicked off the line. It dropped to Gajic and another half shot was blocked on the line. This time though the defender made sure the ball left the area.

Half Time 0-2.

Kelly and Donachy held firm as Petersfield hit full throttle from the whistle. Donachy won a header in the box and then Kelly steered the ball wide to give away a throw in. Cleft did well to intercept the throw and a chip down the line gave George Richardson an opportunity to have a run. Good feet took him wide past the defender but his route to goal was blocked by the two centre backs.

Dyer battled away for the ball in the middle and was successful in winning a tussle sending the ball wide to Evans. Evans overlap hit the bye line and a deep cross whistled over heads to finish in touch. An opportunity lost.

Groves worked the ball wide right and Gajic steamed in to hammer a shot that was deflected for a corner. Dyer hit it just right. Gajic went higher than others and a bullet header hit the top of the bar and flew out for dead ball.

Back came Petersfield. A ball down their left could have spelled danger as two runners went for the break. Evans did a tremendous job cutting out the pass and set up a counter attack with a ball to Dyer. Dyer sent Gajic away and a good run finished with a rising shot over the bar.

An eager Petersfield pushed forward yet again. Kelly and Donachy were superb during an intensive few minutes of attacking football. Cleft did well to monitor a right flank attack and then 'Taff' Richardson blocked a shot on the edge of the box as we wilted.

70 minutes and Paul Green came on for Tyler Rutten. We were still sorting out the change when a high ball evaded Collins clutching fingers to drop nicely for a tap in. 0-3.

We then enjoyed more possession and got some rhythm in our play.

Gajic, and George R. went down the right and a good ball into the box was inches from finishing up in the Petersfield net as it skidded across the face of the goal and glancing the foot of the post on the way past.

Cleft was coming into the picture more as he bedded in on the left. Gajic sent him on overlap and a terrific centre beat the keeper but landed in the gulley of the net and post.

We had nothing to lose so Carl Poore and Gavin Reeves decided to go for broke. Gajic and Dyer pushed up closer toj Paul Green up front. It left a gap that was almost a downfall as Petersfield dropped a ball into it for a runner. Kelly was first in and backed up by a Donachy boot cleared the danger.

It was a rousing finish to the game.as we pressed forward trying to reduce the deficit but Petersfield were too strong and kept a clean sheet.

Result 0-3.