WESSEX LEAGUE PREMIER DIVISION
TUESDAY 21ST APRIL 2015
HORNDEAN 0 VERWOOD TOWN 0

A couple of the squad couldn't make the fixture but although down to bare bones we had a good group to face Horndean.

Donachy cut out a cross into the box within seconds of the kick off giving away a corner as Horndean went for an early goal. The corner flew across the face of goal without anyone getting a touch.

The game had to be played mostly in the air because of a poor pitch surface. We adapted early and Richardson sparked a counter attack after another Horndean raid had been cleared by McGilchrist.

Richardson's chip down the line gave Fisk a run. A high cross found Groves, his shot hit a defender and went out for a throw. Buck took it and Groves rounded his marker to collect. A shot again was blocked.

Back came Horndean. A good move down the right was cut out by Brimson and then Brimson's line ball was punted back by Horndean into our third. A shot from the edge of the box was well held by Lynch.

Horndean edged possession at this stage and our mid field pressed on to close down long balls.

Gajic won a tussle and superbly rounded his opposing player to fire a ball wide to Fisk. Fisk raced free but hit a bobbling ball into the side netting.

It was then Horndean's turn to carry the game. Donachy headed clear and then Brimson blocked a shot from the flank.

Lynch made a great save flicking a vicious volley over the bar after a McGilchrist half clearance fell for a return shot.

McGilchrist then stayed down after a tumble suffering from a twisted ankle. Dan Scott sorted him out but it was obvious the injury would impair his game. To make matters worse, Richardson signalled for treatment suffering a calf strain. Again Dan Scott was in action.

Dyer and Gajic upped their energies and created chances for Rutten and Groves. Horndean's goal remained intact from a hard working defence and good goalkeeping.

Rutten caught the eye with a good run and shot but the half closed with the score board untouched.

Half Time 0-0

Horndean's fixture list includes a game on Thursday night and a game on Saturday. There was no thought of a respite though and they kicked off the second half as they had the first.

A line ball was high behind Brimson but a good turn and race for the ball stopped a run on goal. Brimson's strong tackle gave away a throw. Donachy won the heading battle and Gajic sprinted away from the area collecting the ball and spreading it wide for Rutten

Rutten turned inside his marker and whipped the ball inside for Fisk. Fisk raced free and from an acute angle tried a shot. It hit the side netting.

McGilchrist could go on no longer and 64 minutes saw him make way for Murray. Richardson waved for attention but there was no sympathy. Only Carl Poore was now available for a substitution. Dan Scott threw on a crutch and told 'Taff' to get on with it.

Horndean's free kick 2 minutes later dropped on the penalty spot. Brimson was first in to punt the ball out of the area. Back it came. Donachy booted clear.

Back again and this time it was Dyer coolly collecting in the box and working his way clear right. Fisk collected a line ball and got to the dead ball line before being trundled out of play.

Richardson was now limping badly. It suddenly went dark. The eclipse was a month old so we thought it was a lights failure. All was revealed when it was realised Carl Poore had bent over to struggle into a couple of pairs of shorts.

Gavin Reeves and Dan Scott tugged down Carl's shirt and on he came for 'Taff''.

A double blow then as Donachy split open his knee again following a tackle. Dan Scott now blowing significantly attended the wounded.

A shuffle of the pack and Brimson joined by Gajic did a great job holding central attacks. What did get through Lynch dealt with in brilliant fashion.

Dyer almost had us in front with a dipping shot that was palmed out and then Fisk saw a low shot cleared off the line.

Poore was floored just outside Horndean's area earning a free kick. The ground now nicely flattened, was ideal for a shot but good goalkeeping kept the sheet clean with the keeper holding the ball under the bar.

Donachy was now back in the mix full of plasters and didn't seem affected at all by his injury when going full tilt to make a crucial tackle on the edge of the box.

Groves went close and then Rutten opened up a gap for a shot that went inches wide. The game finished with a counter attack from Horndean that resulted in a clipped post.

The whistle went on a gutsy performance.

A local tractor was introduced to tow Carl Poore to the dressing room and Gavin Reeves and Bernie Scott carried off an exhausted Dan Scott.



Result 0-0.