WYVERN LEAGUE - JOHN STIMPSON MEMORIAL SHIELD
TUESDAY 24TH NOVEMBER 2015
VERWOOD TOWN RESERVES 3 SHOLING RESERVES 2

Sholing got off the mark quickly showing early appetite for an attacking game. The ball pinged around between forwards and within the first couple of minutes Snow had cleared from the edge of the area followed by Gajic steering a header out of the penalty box. Sholing pressed again and Stroud raced from goal to boot the ball up field.

It was a nervy first few minutes but we settled down and Bailey sparked a counter attack on the left sending Gill free to link up with Swann. A good exchange and Swann finished off the move with a rasping shot forcing the keeper to palm the ball wide. A long clearance and Thomas tracked back quickly to cover runners. Bailey cut down the angle for a cross but was forced to give away a corner.

Stroud did well punching the ball off the line, Glham was in quickly blocking a shot and then raced away to pass up the line. Swann collected and slipped the ball past a defender for Kimber to cross early. Rutten couldn’t quite get to the ball and watched it go over the line for a goal kick.

An excellent move put Sholing in our box. Stroud saved a shot with his legs and then made a double save palming the re bound volley wide right. Gilham had read it well and steered the ball to Kimber. On to Swann and then Gill. Gill tried a shot but Sholing’s defensive awareness was excellent and bodies lined up quickly to stop the ball nearing their keeper.

It was entertaining for spectators with both teams committed to playing good football on the deck.

Snow and Thomas blocked an attack through the middle, the ball spun loose and the cultured left foot of Bailey found Swann. Back to Kimber and a delightful return ball sent Swann free into the box. The keeper raced out. Swann beat him with a low shot but was disappointed to see his effort kicked off the line.

Rutten tried a shot on the turn and then Gill found himself surrounded by defenders as he broke into the box from a Kimber dink. A couple of stabs at the ball resulted in a bruised shin but no threat to the keeper.

An interception by Gilham was converted into attack as the ball whipped down the line for Swann to set up Rutten. An excellent shot on target followed but the keeper athletically turned it round the post. Gajic went up for the corner but put the ball over the bar.

McGilchrist hit the best shot of the game but his 25 yarder went the wrong side of the bar.

39 minutes and persistence paid off. Thomas won a strong tackle in mid field and went square to Kimber. Kimber found Swann and a turn deceived his marker. A gap and Swann’s ball was collected by Gill and slammed into the net. 1-0.

6 minutes later though we went to sleep and Sholing punished us with a well taken but simple goal.

Half Time 1-1.

Sholing's work rate went up a notch and with only 4 minutes of the second half gone had worked the ball down the left penetrating the box. Stroud was equal to the blaster making an excellent catch.

Typical of this game was the counter attack. Gill brought out a good save from the keeper. A long throw was then tracked by Rutten. On to Kimber, back to Gill, on to Swann and an excellent shot was saved by the keeper under the angle of bar and post.

The game see sawed and on 69 minutes Jones came on for McGilchrist. 6 minutes later Gill came off for Eaton.

At this stage the game could have swung either way. Kimber bit the side netting then a minute later worked the ball along the line with Bailey. A cross found Swann but his shot hot the foot of the post and bounced out.

Almost a mirror move followed and this time Eaton finished the attack with a shot beating the keeper but seeing it kicked off the line.

83 minutes our pressure paid off by winning a penalty. Rutten stepped up and made no mistake with a shot hitting the bottom corner 2-1.

High fives were being exchanged when Sholing stopped celebrations with a simple and effective piece of football finishing with s shot beating Stroud on the near post 2-2.

Gajic took the sting out of an attack and an intelligent switch of play released Kimber. Kimber almost broke clear but a strong tackle stopped his run. Taking the free kick himself he found Swann and a good downward header was cleared off the line.

A minute to go, and it looked like a replay. Swann altered things going clear and thumping a volley past the keeper to make it 3-2.

Sholing almost pulled it back level with a good move but Stroud made a ground save from the resulting shot

Result 3-2.