WESSEX LEAGUE PREMIER DIVISION
SATURDAY 23RD JANUARY 2016
VERWOOD TOWN 2 BLACKFIELD AND LANGLEY 3

No ‘bedding in’ these days. We hadn’t touched the ball from the kick off when a B&L shot swerved past Chris Lynch’s post.

We didn't hang about. Gajic collected the dead ball kick and coasted through mid field finally chipping the ball to Evans. Evans made ground and finished the move with a rising left foot shot that inched over the bar.

Mid field was strongly contested so for a short while the keeper's were unemployed.

With 10 minutes gone a good move on B&L's left reached the edge of our box but up stepped Phelps to block a cross. Good feet took Phelps clear and then a switch ball found Evans. A cross field ball to Brimson gave space for a run down the left. A bye line high ball into the box was partly cleared but Swann got on the end of it and a swivel and volley whistled wide of the post.

Swann was on hand to win a tussle 20 yards out and a great delivery was well taken by the keeper.

B&L's approach work was slick with good running off the ball. After 21 minutes an opening on the left gave space for a cross but Lynch was first to reach it and punched clear.

A repeat performance followed 3 minutes later but this time the cross was allowed to fly across the area untouched. An unmarked B&L mid fielder had made ground and slipping the ball back across the edge of the 6 yard box set up a simple tap in to make it 0-1.

We had a good possession period but unlike B&L couldn't convert chances. Swann hit the side netting and Rutten hammered a volley high and wide.

Fisk went close and Gajic was unlucky with a good run and shot that finished up in the keeper's arms.

With 4 minutes to go another raid on B&L's left gave space for a runner. A deep cross went unchallenged and a header flew past a stranded Lynch. 0-2.

A minute to go and a Gajic Dyer combination split the visitors defence giving Fisk a clear shot. A brilliant finger tip save denied the goal but gave us a corner. A Swann shot was diverted for a second corner.

45 minutes. In came an inswinger and Brimson athletically hooked a great shot past the keeper. 1-2.

Half Time 1-2.

B&L's energy level appeared to have moved up a notch at the start of the second half and a sustained attack gave our back four plenty to do. Phelps and Kelly won the aerial battle and a Phelps body block was crucial with only 5 minutes of the second half played.

Lynch was in action taking a couple of shots and Evans made a perfect tackle just in our area to take the ball off toes.

Gajic mustered the rally. A good run through the middle gave hope of change to the score line but a solid defence closed ranks to block the way to goal. Gajic laid back to Dyer and a terrific strike, destined for goal, was semi cleared. Swann headed back in and Rutten tried his luck for the top corner. The keeper watched it fly high and wide.

64 minutes and Kelly suffered a hamstring pull. On came Brad Goddard. It meant a shuffle in defence but the formation was still tight.

65 minutes Atkinson came on for Fisk.

The game opened up a bit. Lynch made a good save from a 15 yard drive and Murray made an excellent tackle on a runner heading for the corner of the box.

At the other end, Atkinson outpaced his marker to deliver a low hard cross. Rutten was inches away from scoring.

Atkinson, given a free role, chased down a high ball and went up with the keeper. It was a robust challenge from the keeper so the ref had no hesitation in giving the penalty. Up stepped Rutten. 2-2.

2 minutes later it was Atkinson again who went clear on the left, his cross whipped across the area. Swann dummied and the ball landed for Rutten to try and net his second. This time the ball cleared the bar.

Murray and Evans were finding opportunities at this stage to overlap and a couple of flank raids tested the B&L backs.

Then came an apparent travesty of justice. 81 minutes a ball punted into our back four had a couple of bodies challenging. A hand went up and the ref gave a free kick for B&L. The 'Hand of God' reportedly belonged to a B&L player. The free kick floated in the box despite protests and in the scramble was knocked over the line. 2-3. A jubilant B&L.

We tried as hard as we could to grab a point but the whistle went on a B&L victory.

We thought we did enough to share the spoils but the table reflects the result.

Result 2-3.