WESSEX LEAGUE PREMIER DIVISION
SATURDAY 25TH APRIL 2015
VERWOOD TOWN 2 WHITCHURCH UNITED 1

It was necessary for a Carl Poore to make a couple of positional changes because of absentees but like our turn out at Horndean we had a good squad to meet Whitchurch.

We started well for a change and Fisk put Rutten through for a shot on goal. It was a difficult low ball for the keeper to take but it was gathered clean and drop kicked into our third. Donachy got underneath it and a nod wide left put Buck on the attack.

Cutting inside his marker Buck dropped an inch perfect ball on the spot and Groves was inches short of touching it into the net.

We couldn't rest on laurels. Whitchurch produced a sparkling move to free up their left flank and an early cross and header had Lynch making a good catch on the near post.

Gajic and Dyer were having a larger slice of the ball in the middle and Gajic had spotted space on the left. A superb cross field ball found Buck and a low ball across the box was struck well by Rutten. Defenders got in the way to prevent the keeper having to make a save .

Whitchurch worked hard to force us back and the Kelly Donachy central pairing had a lot to do. Evans and Brimson were solid on the flanks but were tested frequently by good football.

Evans' welcome return from his yellow card flourishes gave us an outlet on the right hand side. One move opened up Whitchurch mid field but his run was halted by a strong tackle. It resulted in a free kick taken by Evans himself. The ball dropped nicely on the spot and Groves header was blocked but dropped in the six yard box, Fisk raced in to sweep the ball past the keeper 1-0.

Brimson had bedded in well at left back and looked comfortable despite a good attacking Whitchurch right flank.

22 minutes gone and from a deep Whitchurch cross Donachy tried to volley clear but hit bodies on the edge of the box. The ball spun free and a runner smashed what looked like an unstoppable shot on goal. Lynch flung himself across the flight of ball and palmed it down. Brimson was quickly in to boot clear of the area.

Buck was showing flair in a left flank role. One run resulted in a run from the half way line to the edge of the Whitchurch box. An unselfish pass across the goal line gave Fisk an opportunity for a shot and this time it was on target to bring off a great save.

Both ends saw activity up to the whistle but without any more goals.

Half Time 1-0.

Ben Kelly's return to the team was short lived because of a back problem so had to make way for Fraser Read to take up left full back slot with Max Brimson moving to right back and Evans moving to centre half.

Only six minutes had past and Whitchurch split us open on the right. Gajic was in quick to tackle but the ref judged it a foul. In came the free kick and it was Brimson who slid full length to divert it away from goal.

The ball was whipped in again and this time it was Lynch who was left to tidy up as the cross sped across the box.

Rutten and Fisk benefitted from a Dyer cross and Rutten finished the move to bring a great save from the Whitchurch keeper.

57 minutes gone and with the pace picking up we managed to break the shackles in midfield and spring a counter attack. Buck opened up the left flank and a great cross shot was beaten out. Fisk read it well and rammed the ball past the keeper into the net. 2-0.

It sparked a Whitchurch retaliation. Evans was busy but ably supported by a no nonsense Donachy. Our third of the pitch was heavily occupied. Lynch caught a couple of long balls but generally was well protected by hard working Gajic and Dyer.

65 minutes signaled a change with Chas Elysee coming on for Tyler Rutten.

Groves although tightly marked skillfully turned his shadow and a through ball gave Fisk a run on goal. A square ball across the box eluded Dyer's toes as we almost had a third.

Whitchurch hit back and on 82 minutes opened us up in the middle. A good move switched the ball wide right. A deep cross and slack marking in the box gave an easy tap in to make it 2-1.

Urged on by their dug out Whitchurch stepped up the pace to try and get a leveler. Evans and Donachy were busy containing crosses and Brimson along with Read stayed wide to curb runners.

Gajic dropped back to help stem a couple of attacks and Dyer picked up second balls outside the box to keep us tight.

The whistle went on a 2-1 win ending our season on a good performance against one of the better sides in the division.

Result 2-1.