WESSEX LEAGUE PREMIER DIVISION
SATURDAY 26TH SEPTEMBER 2015
HORNDEAN 2 VERWOOD TOWN 1

Peter Taylor and Andrew Masson joined the squad for the first time this season. Peter Taylor helped to anchor the defence alongside Ben Kelly, due to the absence of Liam Donachy. Andrew Masson joined Jack Swann and Bradley Goddard on the bench.

Less than a minute gone and Horndean had a cross from the left cleared out of the box by Gajic. A long ball back into our third was headed wide right by Kelly to give Fisk a run at the Hordean defence.

Jinking past two defenders Fisk opened enough of a gap to whip a low cross for Rutten but it was too near the goal line and the keeper made a good stop near the foot of the post.

It was a brisk start from both teams with no let up in sight. Dyer dropped a bit deeper for a spell as Horndean produced some aerial threats but with Lynch Evans and Brimson solid at the back we looked reasonably comfortable.

Evans blocked one attack on the Horndean left and spurting past the defender arrowed a great cross for Wood. Wood's control was first class but the central defenders had mustered to block the shot.

Dyer made a ground after gathering a Gajic pass and worked the ball left with Brimson on an overlap. Atkinson raced inside for the cut back and hit a low shot on target but was disappointed to see the goal keeper take a good catch.

It was end to end stuff with no prisoners. A few handbags were evident but there wasn't a need for Physios.

Taylor was bedding in well alongside Kelly and notably talking well. A terrific Taylor tackle on the edge of the box stopped a direct shot on goal and then his header from within the six yard box gave signs of qualities to come.

Lynch punched a free kick clear and Evans gathered the clearance spreading the ball across the line to Kelly. Kelly on to Atkinson and Atkinson went clear of his marker to place an inch perfect ball on the head of Joe Wood. A glancing header sped past the home keeper putting us ahead 1-0.

Instant retaliation. Horndean moved the ball down their right and a low cross was hammered for the bottom corner. Lynch produced a great save at the foot of the post.

Horndean continued their attacking phase and a shot cum cross hit the angle of the post and bar before the referee's whistle took us in at half time 1-0 ahead.

Half Time 1-0

The second half opened with Horndean pushing forward. Brimson made a good tackle to block a cross and then Kelly was the hero with an overhead kick clearing the ball out of the penalty area. Back down the Horndean left and a shot from the edge of the box hit the angle of bar and post.

We got back in the game with Dyer and Gajic prompting attacks on both flanks. Fisk got a couple of good crosses into the box whilst Atkinson had bad luck to see a shot on target deflected into the side netting. The corner went inches over the bar from a Rutten volley.

Taylor's reading of a line ball as perfect. Getting in behind Brimson it looked as if a break was on the cards but Taylor's anticipation was first class as he took control and whipped the ball to Kelly. Kelly made ground and chipped the ball wide for Fisk to have a shot. The side netting took the impact.

It was still end to end. Horndean used the slope to great advantage and we found ourselves dropping a bit deeper to combat the high balls down the flanks and some into the area.

Joe Wood's 50th birthday celebrations of the night before took effect. The 'sherbets' reverberated and Swann came off the bench to go one for one.

We had a slight edge for a time and Atkinson delivered a low cross for Gajic to half volley. Defenders did their job and got in the way.

A double substitution by Alan Lay saw Peter Taylor make way for Bradley Goddard and Jordan Fisk gave way for Andrew Masson to make a bow.

Two minutes later another long ball out of the Hordean defence picked out a runner. Evans went stride for stride and then the inevitable. What was judged by many to be a good tackle turned into a referee's judgement of a foul. Lynch had no chance with a ball lashed into the back of the net. 1-1.

Hordean's tail's were up but equally we wanted the three points. It made for an entertaining last few minutes.

Swann bustled through to hit a shot at the keeper and then Goddard followed in on a spilled Atkinson shot but bit defenders.

Masson created space with a fine cross for Rutten but Rutten's progress was halted by a strong tackle on the dead ball line.

We had the proverbial squeaky bums on 88 minutes as a good break by Horndean finished with a clear shot that went over the bar.

93 minutes and a ball pumped into our area ping ponged around finishing with a half hit shot that helped the ball trundle just inside the post and over the line.

The whistle went seconds after the goal giving Horndean cause for going home on a high.

Result 1-2.