WYVERN LEAGUE DIVISION 1
TUESDAY 17TH NOVEMBER 2015
VERWOOD TOWN RESERVES 4 DOWNTON RESERVES 1

Kimber’s initiative in the 9th minute paved the way for Jack Swann to cut through into the box and rifle a shot past the keeper to give us the lead.

Downton had opened brightly with a couple of moves intended to break open our central defence. Kelly and Evans though had forged an impenetrable barrier so moves petered out before Ray Stroud had anything to worry about.

Thomas picked a pocket in the middle of the park to free up Kimber. Kimber dummied his marker and switching quickly from left to right spotted Swann available on the edge of the box. The pass was ideal for Swann to finish off with his 9th minute goal.

Downton’s football played on the deck was good quality despite a swirling wind. A line ball stayed in play for a runner to test Gilham’s awareness. Gilham read it well cutting down space but giving away a throw. Eaton’s challenge for the ball gave us possession and a quick chip over mid field gave Thomas space for a run on goal. A sliding tackle took him out of play but winning a free kick. Up stepped Goddard to put a high cross on the head of Kimber. The keeper took a catch under the bar.

Harding was his usual competitive self winning a strong tackle and preventing Downton from reaching our box.

Kelly blocked the way into our area from a Downton attack and with an ever improving partnership with Evans provided solid cover.

Downton pushed us back with a surge in attacking moves. Swann back tracked to help Gilham and then Evans turned the tide with a good interception and coolly brought Eaton into the game with a pass into mid field. Eaton and Goddard worked their way into Downton’s third and Goddard finished with a pass left to Kimber. Kimber slipped his marker and hit a low ball on target but was disappointed to see the keeper make a good save.

43 minutes and Evans achilles had caused problems forcing him to come off. Declan Cleft took up the left flank spot with the multi - tasking Harding slotting in alongside Kelly.

Downton closed the half with a skirmish in our box but Bailey’s size 9 cleared the danger.

Half Time 1-0.

Only 3 minutes gone from the re start and Kimber split the Downton defence with a through ball. Swann raced free to round the keeper and put the ball in the net. No jubilation though as the linesman had flagged for offside.

5 minutes later Swann repaid Kimber with a similar pass and this time Kimber beat the offside trap and scoring to make it 2-0.

Thomas edged play in the middle of the park and sparked a Swann effort with a low pass inside the backs. Swann’s shot was palmed out and a defender’s boot did the rest.

Bailey was now finding space to overlap and a combination with Cleft finished with Bailey’s volley being deflected for a corner. Cleft delivered an inswinger. Bodies went up for the ball but the keeper’s fist won the challenge.

65 minutes and Downton broke through into the box. Stroud pulled off a great save at the foot of the post and seconds later did well to palm out for a corner. Harding’s head the job to clear the danger.

70 minutes and Alex Eaton made way for Darren Munday to take a bow. This was Munday’s first game back for a while but slotted in immediately alongside Swann. A minute later Cleft went free of his marker and whipped a cross into the box. Swann cut the ball back and Munday fired just over he bar.

2 minutes later Swann again was the provider for Goddard to hammer a shot on goal. The keeper did a good job in palming the ball up in the air and then taking the catch under the bar.

We were now well on top but always aware of Downton’s ability to counter attack. It was a busy Goddard who provided a cross into the Downton box for Munday to follow up and slam home his first goal of the season. 3-0.

84 minutes had Andy Hardiman coming on for Jack Swann. A shuffle of the line up followed and paid off almost immediately as Cleft took a Hardiman ball wide left and crossed low into the area. Munday, enjoying his outing was first to the ball and rammed the ball past the keeper for his second of the game and altering the score line to 4-0.

We now had the majority of possession and both backs were able to push up on overlap. Gilham tried a long shot and Bailey hit bodies on the edge of the area preventing his name on the score sheet.

90 minutes gone…a penalty for Downton. There was no mistake 4-1.

The game finished with 4-1 as a result. Stroud wasted no time in disappearing in a cloud of Lambert and Butler.

Result 4-1