WESSEX LEAGUE CUP
WEDNESDAY 16TH DECEMBER 2015
SHOLING 3 VERWOOD TOWN 0

Sholing almost had the ball in the net in the first minute, overrunning us on their right. A cross from the bye line went unhindered across the area. A chip back in was steered wide.

2 minutes old and this time the ball whipped past Lynch to make it 0-1. It was a copy raid but this time players in the box had followed in and made sure of the lead.

No let up. Sholing pressured us but we were our own worst enemy in these early exchanges. Passing was atrocious and we constantly gave up possession. Lynch was on his toes to stop shots as we defended a wave of attacks.

What retaliation we had to offer was mopped up by a competent Sholing defence. There didn't seem any way for us to reduce the deficit.

15 minutes gone and Murray blocked a cross to give away a corner. The in swinger was punched out by Lynch. A shot was deflected for another corner. This time it was a Sholing head first to the ball but fortunately misdirected over the bar.

Then we had a glimmer of better things as we gradually gained some semblance of stringing moves together.

Atkinson went free but only to get dropped just outside the box. Up stepped Rutten and a good effort skimmed the bar.

Gajic, prompting and probing fired a good ball to Swann. Swann's pass wide found Kimber and a deep cross was well taken by the keeper before Atkinson could get to it.

Back came Sholing. Phelps made a good strong tackle and using Donachy's legs put us back on the attack. Donachy took a return ball from Rutten and spread play using Swann who had drifted right. A deep cross should have caused problems but the keepers fist cleared the ball out of the area.

Sholing upped the pace. We were pegged back holding robust forwards. Sholing's keeper remained untroubled. He could have written his memoirs between our attacks.

40 minutes produced Sholing's move of the match with a sweeping attack resulting in a volley heading for the top corner. Lynch took off and flipped the ball wide.

A minute later we were wide open on the left. An unstoppable shot hit the back of the net. 0-2.

Half Time 0-2

Joe Kimber came off at half time for a positional switch and on came Jordan Fisk. The rallying call from Alan Lay took effect and we kicked off with a spurt unseen in the first half. It was a welcome change.

Evans joined the attack and linking with Atkinson sent Gajic away in the middle. Gajic floated a great ball onto Fisk wide right and the resultant cross caused the keeper his first heart flutter of the game. Swann's challenge disturbed the catch but a good recovery by the keeper had the ball in safe hands at the second attempt.

Dyer had worked like a Trojan throughout and came off with 58 minutes played to give Goddard a run in the middle.

Evans was finding some freedom working the right flank alongside Atkinson. A good interchange and Atkinson whipped the ball through the central area for Swann. Swann, although closely marked wriggled his way through and hit a rising shot just wide.

We made a few openings but didn't have the cutting edge in front of goal.

Murray won a tackle on the left and delivered a good cross for Rutten. Rutten's attempt was well taken by the keeper.

It was a lot better from us and at last we seemed to be matching Sholing's endeavour.

A laxity though with 24 minutes left gave the ball away in mid field. We had pushed on leaving space. The shot from the edge of our box sealed the game. There was nothing Lynch could do but watch the ball hit the back of the net just inside the top corner.

In the last 20 minutes we produced some good football but couldn't crack Sholing's clean sheet. Swann hit the side netting, Goddard shot over the bar and Gajic headed over the angle.

Sholing's central attacks were well controlled by Donachy and Phelps whilst Murray and Evans did well holding a tight reign on flank players.

The whistle went on an emphatic result for Sholing and we wish them well in the next round.

Result 0-3.