WESSEX LEAGUE PREMIER DIVISION
SATURDAY 16TH JANUARY 2016
BROCKENHURST 0 VERWOOD TOWN 1

Two minutes old and shots at both ends. Swann hit our first effort of 2016 but put it wide of the keeper’s left hand post. Brock hit back testing Lynch and a good low save to Lynch’s right hand was palmed away from the area.

Gajic almost put us in front with a good run down the left but watched his shot deflected for a corner. In it came for Wood to steer a header just over the bar.

It was a good opening spell.

Rutten and Fisk worked the left flank to create an opening but the cross from Fisk was just too much for Swann to get a boot to it.

Brockenhurst approach work through the mid field was slick. Gajic and Dyer funneled back helping the back four to provide cover. Dyer's tackle on the edge of the box was a winner and a wide ball to Evans sprung a counter.

Evans, Rutten and Swann made ground and Swann's delivery into the area gave Fisk an opening but the shot was blocked and cleared.

It was a good game to watch with both teams passing well on a slippy surface.

Brock broke through on the right and a deep lob gave an opportunity for a shot but Doncahy provided a block and cleared.

A flowing move from Brockenhurst went wide left. Murray blocked a cross but the ball spun free for another lob onto the penalty spot. Phelps won this one and a strong header landed nicely for Dyer to dummy his marker and clip a line ball for Fisk. A good run and cross was well covered by Brocks defenders leaving the score sheet blank.

It was a heavy pitch but both teams gave everything they had to keep up the pace.

32 minutes gone and another Gajic, Dyer combination freed up Swann. Outpacing his marker Swann reached the edge of the box but screwed his shot wide of the upright.

Brockenhurst's retaliation this time was prolonged. Murray and Phelps did well to contain a couple of right flank attacks whilst Evans and Donachy did the same on the other side.

A couple of breaks got through but a very much in form Lynch stopped the ball crossing the line.

One attack caught us cold but luckily the shot soared over the bar.

Half Time 0-0

The game continued where it left off both teams looking for goals and both showing good discipline defending.

Wood topped a shot giving the keeper an easy collection but the counter strike from the edge of our box was the reverse forcing Lynch into a finger tip save flicking the ball over the bar.

Phelps won the aerial battle sending Evans away. Evans released Swann. The cross was collected by Rutten but his first touch was too heavy and picked up by defenders.

65 minutes saw our first substitution when Fisk came off for Atkinson. There was no easing his way into the game. Brockenhurst quality on the ball had Atkinson shuttling between players trying to stop attacking moves.

We were made to work hard. Donachy and Phelps were outstanding in the middle while Murray and Evans produced great performances on the flanks.

73 minutes on the clock and Jack Swann came off for Joe Kimber to stretch his legs.

Brockenhurst rolled forward. Good progressive football had us back pedaling. We defended well and looked to counter as often as possible. We created a couple of problems for ourselves by pushing up from the flanks and leaving gaps down the sides.

One break almost put us behind as a runner broke free and from 6 yards put the ball over the bar.

Lynch had to produce a double save as we got peppered with shots. Luckily most were from outside the box. Donachy and Phelps stood firm in the middle and both Murray and Evans defended well.

83 minutes our last substitution took place with Brad Goddard coming on for Tyler Rutten.

We lost a bit of discipline for a while and almost paid the price as a ball pumped up field fell nicely for a runner. Phelps and Donachy closed down quickly forcing a shot from the edge of the area. Lynch took off making a great catch in the top corner.

3 minutes to go. We countered. Atkinson broke the shackles and squared across the box. Wood followed in sliding the ball over the line on the far post.

No Brock heads dropped. We had to withstand a torrid few minutes before the whistle went on an excellent three points.

Result 1-0