WESSEX LEAGUE CUP
SATURDAY 14TH NOVEMBER 2015
VERWOOD TOWN 3 LYMINGTON TOWN 0

Ben Kelly (working) and Dean Evans (injured) had to miss this one but the squad was still strong to face a very much on form Lymington.

Brimson’s versatility gave Manager Alan Lay an easy call on filling Dean Evans right back spot. It was Brimson who made the first tackle blocking a run down Lymington’s left and gaining possession passed the ball inside for Phelps to switch play with a cross field ball to Atkinson. Atkinson made ground but Lymington closed ranks quickly shutting off access to their box.

6 minutes gone, Phelps Gajic and Atkinson worked the ball down the flank for Atkinson to round off with a cross into the penalty area. Wood beat defenders slamming the ball past the keeper. 1-0.

Good attacking play from Lymington’s mid field pushed us back. Donachy made a crucial block on the edge of the area heralding his return after an 8 game absence.

Lymington’s attacking flair opened us up on their right and a cross deep into our box gave Lynch an opportunity to see how far he could punch clear. It was enough.

Lymington applied pressure forcing us back. Dyer stepped in front of a shot and then Donachy headed clear from a corner.

Phelps cool and calm took a tricky cross clear of the area and a ball wide to Fisk gave us an opportunity for a counter attack. Fisk rounded his marker and delivered a telling ball onto the penalty spot. Rutten had followed up but a slippy surface made him miscue.

A volley was palmed over the bar by Lynch. The corner was low but good ball control by Murray stopped the danger.

Lymington had more possession than us half way through the half but defensively we were sound and able to bear the brunt of attacks without buckling.

With ten minutes remaining Lymington worked their way through mid field but before a shot could be fired Gajic slid in hard to take the ball from feet. A wide ball found Atkinson who went on a mazy run but was floored just inside the Lymington third.

Dyer’s free kick dropped nicely for Wood but the header was well taken by the keeper.

Half Time 1-0

5 minutes of the second half had elapsed when a great ball from Dyer dropped into a packed area. Gajic raced away with arm raised. Then came the dispute. Was the ball nodded in by Gajic ? Had a deflection made it OG ? It had to go to DNA. Gajic was right. 2-0.

Lymington pushed us back finding an attacking aggression. We backtracked, Dyer blocked an attempted cross and then Phelps headed clear as a ball descended into the area.

It was almost 2-1 as Lymington broke through the middle and a ball wide right had space for a shot. Lynch was down quickly to smother the ball on the post.

Wood looked like the Lone Ranger up front but did well when the ball reached him to hold it up for runners.

Fisk took one ball from Wood to the edge of the box but his angled shot was well taken by the keeper.

We fought hard to work ourselves back into the game and good solid play from Gajic and Dyer steadied mid field.

77 minutes Kimber came on for Fisk and slotted in alongside Gajic and Dyer helping to maintain control in the middle of the park.

A long clearance from Lymington’s backs dropped nicely for a runner but Lynch was out of the traps quickly to hammer the ball back up field. Atkinson almost had a clear run had it not been for a slip near the line.

A loose ball was claimed by Kimber. A chip over the advancing Lymington back four caught them out. Wood seized the opportunity to go clear, rounded the keeper and tucked the ball into the bottom corner. 3-0.

Not one Lymington head dropped. A shot was blocked by Donachy, another palmed out by Lynch and then Murray slammed the ball up field to relieve a bit of pressure.

82 minutes gone, Swann and Goddard came on for Wood and Rutten.

Swann was whistled up for offside before he could plant the ball in the net and Goddard’s inch perfect pass to Kimber gave space for a shot but a desperate last ditch sliding tackle from Lymington’s centre half blocked the shot. The game finished with a hard fought winning result.

Result 3-0.