WESSEX LEAGUE PREMIER DIVISION
TUESDAY 6TH OCTOBER 2015
BLACKFIELD & LANGLEY 2 VERWOOD TOWN 2

Zacc Phelps made his bow in this fixture against high flying B&L. Partnering Ben Kelly and bordered by James Murray and Dean Evans helped to make up a good back four.

As expected the game kicked off at a brisk pace with B&L pushing the ball down the flanks. Atkinson and Brimson did a great job of underpinning Evans and Murray and with Phelps bedding in well at centre half we looked comfortable coping with attacks.

Gajic and Dyer were enjoying the combative nature of a strong midfield and linking with hard working Rutten and Wood made inroads into the home sides defence.

It was a good end to end game with both sides accurate in passing ability and movement off the ball.

Murray stopped a raid on their right and taking the ball cleanly in a strong tackle slipped the ball to Rutten. Rutten left his marker and struck a great ball but just over the bar.

Brimson then won a tussle and a quick through ball gave Wood a chance of a shot. The volley was on target but unfortunately it went straight to the keeper.

Back came B&L with some terrific interplay on the right. The result was a low shot from just inside the box that Lynch did well to palm out but the rebound fell to an unmarked player and whipped into the net. 0-1.

Attitude was first class. No heads dropped and sparked by Gajic and Dyer we hit back with some good football.

Atkinson went free using pace and a good low cross was almost turned in by Wood. The ball ran across the face of goal and Brimson lost no time in crossing from his flank. Wood tried a shot on the turn but the ball was blocked and bounced out. Gajic raced in to blast for goal but a body got in the way taking the sting out of the shot. The ball spun for goal but was caught under the bar by a good keeper.

35 minutes had Gajic taking a midfield ball from Phelps. A through ball found Rutten who beat defenders to slot the ball past an advancing keeper to level scores. 1-1.

B&L stung into retaliation pushed forward. Dyer and Gajic dropped back in front of the back four making a solid wall protecting Lynch until the half time whistle

Half Time 1-1

B&L were out of the traps quickly to make a run down their right. Kelly cut out a cross and worked the ball forward to Brimson, Brimson on to Dyer and we cut through for Wood to hit a good ball for the top corner but saw it edge over the bar.

It was a good game for spectators and a nail biter for the dug outs.

With 55 minutes gone we lapsed concentration on a cross from the B&L left flank and a bouncing ball was allowed freedom for a tap in on the far post. 1-2.

Pressure was maintained by B&L and a minute after their goal won a corner from a Kelly defensive block. Lynch went up above heads to thump the ball away from danger.

Dyer gave way for Fisk on 67 minutes. Brimson moved into the central midfield area with Fisk going wide right.

Phelps had bedded in well and used good initiative in taking a ball in a tackle and then progressing up field to slip the ball through for Rutten. Rutten almost had the ball in the net but again a good keeper stopped the ball crossing the line.

We kept pressing but there was more discipline than usual so when we did go forward we extended cover at the back.

We broke through on 72 minutes when Rutten sped away right and sent a great ball through for Wood. Going slightly wide of the goal Wood managed to hit a great left foot shot into the bottom corner. 2-2.

Two minutes later it was B&L’s turn to get in front of the sticks that resulted in a flying Lynch save at the foot of the post.

Next was a shot from just inside the box but this time it was Phelps who stuck out a leg to deflect the ball for a corner. Lynch was up high to palm away and Kelly finished off the defensive need clearing the ball high up field.

76 minutes Wood came off for Swann. Swann’s involvement was instant as Fisk used good feet to beat a defender freeing up Swann to race into the box. A clear shot was stopped by a dubious flag for offside.

80 minutes and Joe Kimber came on for a straight swap with Aaron Atkinson.

It was all hands to the wheel as B&L applied more pressure. Fisk and Kimber had to drop back to help defend giving a solid look to the back four. We weathered the storm.

On 92 minutes we won a free kick just outside the B&L box. Gajic floated a good ball for the far post but it was just too high for Swann to nod into the net.

The whistle went on a well earned point.

Result 2-2