WESSEX LEAGUE PREMIER DIVISION
SATURDAY 18TH APRIL 2015
TOTTON & ELING 2 VERWOOD TOWN 1

Fisk's return to the team meant almost a goal in the first minute with excellent ball control and run on goal. A cross was deflected for a corner. Fisk took it himself and planted a perfect effort on Richardson's head. The ball clipped the angle of bar and post otherwise it would have been a superb opener.

Totton's scrap in the relegation zone meant the need for extra effort and they provided their management with a rousing display of work ethic and accuracy.

The pitch although rutted was soft underfoot and able to sustain some football along the deck. Totton put some good moves together using the flanks in preference in the early stages to central high balls. Brimnson and Buck were busy curtailing eager forwards.

Totton hit the bar with 8 minutes gone and then followed up with a good move on the right and a cross and header saved by Lynch.

Richardson won a tussle in midfield and intelligent use of a switch ball freed Cleft for a run on goal. A cross and Fisk followed in to work his way past a defender. A solid back up in defence blocked Fisk and the ball was whisked wide for a counter.

The game swung end to end with Totton looking most likely to score.

Brimson up ended his opposing player 30 yards out from goal. The free kick was struck with venom and Lynch did well to fling himself full length to punch the ball away from the area.

A rash tackle just outside our box gave Totton another free kick. This time it was aimed across the box and was met with a full blooded header giving Lynch no chance. 0-1.

Totton's tails were up and their work rate went up another notch.

We had a spell of possession during which a good move involving Donachy Richardson and Brimson finished with a shot from Fisk hitting the side netting.

Dyer made impact with a strong tackle to win the ball 30 yards out. A cross found Fisk and the return ball gave Dyer a chance for a shot. The bar felt the draft.

A good Totton keeper held a dipping shot from Groves and then a superb catch denied Donachy a goal from a corner.

Half Time 0-1.

There was no doubting the desire of the Totton team to snatch the three points. Pushing forward at every opportunity gave our defence a torrid ten minutes. We fought back and Gajic came away with the ball from one defensive period rounding two defenders and unloading a shot that unfortunately went high and wide.

Cleft worked back to support Brimson and between them took the ball down the left resulting in a cross for Groves to try a snatched volley. The keeper again was an excellent judge and took the ball under from the bar.

We were having a slice more of the ball and Gajic alongside Richardson sparked a fight back.

Cleft had a cross booted out and then Fisk planted a ball on the penalty spot for Groves to try his luck. Defenders swarmed and Groves had his effort blocked. In came Cleft to fire wide.

57 minutes Murray came on for Declan Cleft. Murray took up full back spot and Buck moved up wide to join our attack.

We won two corners on the trot. The first was hoofed out but the return shot was palmed over the bar. The second corner caused a scramble. Richardson had a volley blocked and then Groves had a placed shot kicked off the line.

Totton replied with a more direct approach testing Kelly and Donachy.

Lynch made a good save on the line from a cross and header and then Donachy went full length to block a shot from the edge of the box.

A scrappy few minutes followed with both teams giving away the ball.

With 9 minutes left we created space and Richardson moved into the box to shoot low for the corner of the net. An outstretched leg stopped it crossing the line but Richardson followed in to volley past the keeper. 1-1.

We edged possession and should have scored another but for an outstanding keeper performance.

Lynch then had to equal his counterpart with a save low to his left to keep the scores level

Then came a disaster. 94 minutes gone and a high ball into our box was carefully watched by Murray. Up he went to head clear but the referee judged he had elbowed an opposing player and gave a penalty. …..the ball hit the back of the net. .. 1-2 …. Then the whistle went again for full time …. !!!!!!!!!

Result 1-2