WESSEX LEAGUE PREMIER DIVISION
SATURDAY 10TH OCTOBER 2015
VERWOOD TOWN 1 ALRESFORD TOWN 0

Only 30 seconds had gone when Evans dinked a ball to the edge of the Alresford area. A hand went up, and the referee opted for a free kick. Gajic wanted the opportunity for a quick goal but put his shot over the angle of bar and post.

We stayed in Alresford's third and Wood went close with a header before Atkinson shot wide.

5 minutes had Fisk going clear to try a left foot angled shot. The keeper was well placed to take the catch. We pressed forward with Wood doing a great job laying off the ball for Ruitten and Gajic to try and cut through the Alresford wall.

It became frustrating. Chances cropped up but we were woeful in front of the sticks. Alresford defended well during this dominant Verwood spell and as the game progressed became more assured and hit back on the attack.

Brimson cut out a long ball down their right and then Phelps got underneath another ball high into our area. Lynch made a good save at the foot of the post before the flurry of attacks stopped.

Dyer was instrumental in opening up a couple of gaps in the wide areas and Fisk had one shot saved and saw another hit the side netting.

Despite being on top at this stage we had to be cautious of the counter attack.

Evans and Brimson were on top of their game and only a trickle of danger came off the flanks. Kelly and Phelps were busy in the middle whilst Lynch looked comfortable in goal.

27 minutes on the clock and a corner swung in a perfect arc for Wood to glance a header past the keeper into the top corner. 1-0.

We wanted another to feel comfortable. It wasn't to be. Alresford had a tremendous spirit in their ranks and fought tooth and nail to keep the scoreboard where it was.

As the half rolled on there was a sign of relaxation Verwood's play and Alresford pushed on. A ball wide left, a quick cross and we almost had level pegging had it not been for a Lynch save at feet.

We did manage a break on the left with Atkinson going past his marker but the cross was well taken by the keeper before reaching Gajic.

Half Time 1-0

Lynch was well placed to take a rising effort with a coupe of minutes gone in the second half and it was obvious Alresford's team talk had taken effect.

Brimson blocked a ball down the right and Evans stopped a similar effort as Alresford switched play.

Our first substitution of the afternoon came in the 52nd minute with Rutten making way for Swann.

Alresford impressed with some good football and in the 57h minute broke through into the box. Lynch was out quickly and did enough to put the player off and watched the ball skim the bar.

We looked a bit ragged in the middle of the park as Alresford made the running and created a couple of good openings. Our back four held tight but made it even more apparent that we had to shake of a lethargic period and grab control.

Dyer and Gajic worked the ball out of mid field giving Atkinson a chance of a shot. The keeper got across the flight of the ball to take a good catch.

We gradually got back into the game and Brimson worked an overlap with Atkinson to float great cross into the box. Wood and Swann both went up but couldn't get a head to it.

Masson came on for Fisk after 64 minutes and was robbed of a chance of a shot as Alresford's energy level increased.

Fisk picked up a Gajic wide ball and cutting inside his marker hit a terrific shot but it went directly at the keeper. Again frustration set in as we pushed forward creating chances but couldn't put the ball in the net.

With 15 minutes left, Atkinson picked up a loose ball in our third and raced away. A cross from just outside Alresford's area zipped over defenders but before Wood or Swann could reach it the keeper had made yet another good catch.

Atkinson made way for Murray a couple of minutes later with the switch being one for one.

10 minutes left and a Dyer 20 yarder skipped off the turf just before the keeper but safe hands prevented us going further ahead.

Alresford stepped up pressure. Brimson headed a corner clear and then Kelly hooked the ball away from the penalty spot as runners broke into the box.

Lynch saved at feet in the last minute and a throw to Evans caught out the Alresford defence as Evans went down the right and crossed for Wood. The keeper's positional sense was first class and a brave save at Wood's feet kept the score down.

It wasn't a purist's game but the bottom line was three points and a clean sheet.

Result 1-0