WESSEX LEAGUE PREMIER DIVISION
SATURDAY 11TH APRIL 2015
VERWOOD TOWN 3 BOURNEMOUTH 3

Jordan Fisk was still in Mexico having his sombrero repaired. Ben Kelly added to the NHS deficit by turning up for work and Liam Donachy was at the other end of the NHS attendance problems with a gashed knee picked up at Hamworthy. Top scorer Tom Whelan was still tagged following his `Red Card' felony and James Collins was just missing. Last but not least was a report that Matt Goldby would be back in the UK after being extradited from Dubai. 6 Injured Ressies added to the woes of the day but we still had a reasonable squad to face Poppies.

Within a minute of the kick off Dyer got space to float a cross into Poppies box. Gajic followed in and his overhead kick was tipped over the bar by the keeper. Gajic stayed in the box for the corner and won the header. This time it went low heading for the net but the keeper stopped the ball on the line.

We continued pressing forward running a risk of quick counters from the visitors. Gajic holding a centre back role was quickly across to block a runner and then Evans made a lunging tackle to break up a flank raid as Poppies hit back.

9 minutes and a Richardson free kick floated onto the penalty spot for Groves to try a header for goal. The keeper again was Poppies saviour as he dropped on the ball preventing it from rolling over the line.

We were enjoying a purple spell but Poppies always looked dangerous on the break.

15 minutes gone and Poppies opened us up in the middle. Out came Lynch and a lob looked as if it would alter the score line but fortunately took a dip and went wide of the upright.

Rutten took a through ball from Dyer down the line and a low cross inched past Richardson's toes with only a coat of varnish separating us from a goal.

Buck was now getting into the game and a great run down the left finished with a deep cross that Rutten volleyed wide.

Poppies defenders packed their goal area with 20 minutes gone as we tried hard to score. Buck, Groves and Richardson all went close but bodies blocked the way to the net.

McGilchrist had to come off after 33 minutes with a hamstring injury and was replaced by Declan Cleft.

40 minutes saw a Brimson header pushed over the bar. A shot on target was palmed out and then Groves agonized to see a volley hit the side netting.

43 minutes and we finally cracked the Poppies defence. Buck rounded his marker and fired a low cross into the box. Richardson connected but the shot hit a defender. Cleft followed in to whip the ball past the keeper to make it 1-0.

Half Time 1-0

We continued where we left off and within a minute of the whistle Cleft Groves and Rutten worked the ball centrally. Rutten finished off the move with a low shot but only to have it blocked by a defender.

52 minutes gone and Richardson volleyed in an unstoppable shot from a throw in. 2-0.

Poppies must have read recent reports about our self destruct button. It was pressed and 3 minutes later a good piece of football from Poppies finished with them hitting a great shot at Lynch. Lynch punched it clear but a follow up volley hit the bottom corner of the net. 2-1.

Our generosity was there for all to see. Polite passing to the opposition, opening up in central areas to reflect Moses parting the Red Sea and allowing shots to keep Lynch in practice.

61 minutes and it was inevitable that Poppies would punish us for laxity.

A casual approach on our goal went unattended. A half tackle and then ball rolled across the box for a simple tap in. 2-2.

Out came the valium and half a dozen Puppies on a Roll. Carl Poore and Gavin Reeves checked their BUPA cover for a quick run to Marchwood. It was dire.

Poppies took delight in teaching us what a 90 minute effort looked like. We could have gone another goal down with 75 minutes gone had it not been for an Evans toe to deflect a shot wide of the post.

A long clearance and we attacked down the left. A cross shot was beaten out. A high ball back into the box was carefully watched by the keeper, an attempted palm over the bar went wrong and the ball dropped off the cross bar. Cleft was on hand to slam the ball past the keeper for his second of the game 3-2.

We rallied and almost had a fourth as Buck found Groves with a cross field ball. Groves spotted Cleft free and Cleft benefitted from a perfect lob to go one on one.

Cleft tried to chip the keeper but swift back pedaling and an excellent catch under the bar kept the score at 3-2.

25 yards out we blocked a move but only to give away a free kick. The 90th minute was horrendous. A 'dipper' sailed over Lynch to level the score at 3-3.

Will our Management's suicidal feeling subside. Hopefully Nick O'Hara can 'Stand Down'.

Result 3-3