WESSEX LEAGUE PREMIER DIVISION
WEDNESDAY 14TH OCTOBER 2015
VERWOOD TOWN 0 AFC PORTCHESTER 2

Portchester sat third in the table before our fixture and second when it was over. A well managed side and industrious on and off the ball.

A quick start to the game had Lynch in action within the first minute punching away a cross shot and then thankful to see the rebound fired wide.

2 minutes old and the ball landed in our net. The referee's whistle denied the 'goal' and gave us time to settle.

A good move across the Portchester mid field finished with a run down the left and then a shot well taken by Lynch. A throw found Phelps. A ball down the line to Atkinson opened up Portchester left flank. Atkinson crossed and Fisk raced in for the header but the keeper beat him to it and cleared.

We matched the high work rate of Portchesters mid field and spectators had a treat as both teams battled for possession. Dyer won one tussle and a clinical pass to Brimson opened space for the return. Dyer went wide of his marker and had a good angled shot saved at the foot of the post.

15 minutes of toing and froing finished with a break on Portchester right. A switch inside and a point blank shot was saved by Lynch's size 9's.

We had a lapse of concentration with 18 minutes gone and a shot was cleared by Kelly but only to the edge of the box. A gap was left and the ball rolled past defenders for a tap in. 0-1.

Portchester had the edge but Swann and Brimson caused concern when on the counter. Brimson cut inside the area and fed Swann with a ball to the edge of the box. A left foot volley hit the keeper rather than the back of the net.

Lynch took a back header from Evans to take the sting of another Portchester raid and his clearance up field was collected by Wood who was being shadowed so closely the centre half looked like he was sharing the shirt. Wood won this one and a good turn gave him room to release Fisk. Fisk measured a good shot but misdirected the ball into the side netting.

Portchester kept pressing. Murray and Evans were busy containing flank attacks but a couple got through giving Kelly and Phelps a chance to show their increasing understanding as a central pairing.

The game was end to end but had no more goals added to the score line by half time.

Half Time 0-1.

The game continued where it left off with both sides committed to attack. Lynch palmed away a cross shot in the first five minutes and Evans sliding tackle took the sting out of an attack as Portchester tried pinning us in our third.

Dyer and Swann worked the ball wide and Atkinson went past his marker to hit a cross for Wood. The keeper won the race for the ball.

Good football in the centre of the park created space for a runner to break free. Lynch was out quickly to save with feet. The rebound was hit low for the corner of the net but inched past the post.

We hit back. Atkinson crossed for Wood to head for goal but the keeper palmed it away. Atkinson followed in to place the ball across the face of goal. This time no one was there to toe poke.

Brimson joined Phelps and Kelly to provide some cover for Lynch and stopping one attack put us back on the attack with Kelly releasing the final ball to Fisk. Fisk dummied his marker and watched his shot hit a defender to fly wide for a corner. The ball landed on the penalty spot and a series of half hit shots was finally cleared up field. We had committed the cardinal sin again and left ourselves a bit thin at the back. We didn't clear properly and a terrific left foot shot arrowed past Lynch into the bottom corner. 0-2.

It was a blow to hopes of getting level early in the half but we pegged away.

Dyer made way for McGilchrist to go one for one. There was plenty for McGilchrist to do as the ball was passed around by Portchester players in a 'keep ball' period.

Swann almost broke free following a threaded ball from Brimson but a long leg robbed him of the ball on the edge of the box. Wood won it back and tried a volley but his attempt was blocked by a defender.

It was frustrating to have chances but without seeing the back of the net kick up.

Brad Goddard and Joe Kimber came on for Aaron Atkinson and Jack Swann respectively in an effort to break the Portchester shackles.

Kimber won an aerial battle for the ball and released Wood. Wood's shot was kicked clear. McGilchrist stormed in but shot wide. We pushed on for a goal.

The Portchester defence had been marshalled well and a series of attacks were blunted on the edge of the area.

Goddard had a shot well saved with a minute left but that was all the activity at both ends before the whistle sent us in 0-2.

Result 0-2.