WESSEX LEAGUE PREMIER DIVISION
SATURDAY 20TH FEBRUARY 2016
VERWOOD TOWN 4 FAREHAM TOWN 0

Fareham’s pitch hasn’t been playable for some time so this fixture was reversed to Potterne. Despite a few overnight showers the pitch was OK.

We made a determined start with Fisk taking a 5 minute free kick and dropping it onto the spot. Gajic raced in but put his header over the bar.

Fareham's response was swift and a run down the right opened us up. A heavy touch put the ball into our area. Two runners, and Lynch. There was only to be one winner. Lynch put the ball back into Fareham's third.

Mid field sparring saw Gajic and Dyer edge possession. 20 minutes gone though and a clever switch ball out of Fareham's defence caught us pushing up too far. The final ball across the box was slammed just wide of Lynch's post.

Fareham's free kick a minute later dropped into the penalty area and it took an acrobatic Gajic to make an overhead kick clearing the ball away from danger.

Fareham maintained pressure and five minutes later Donachy blocked a shot from the left then made a sliding tackle to prevent a run into the area.

Kelly had to tuck in with a header as Fareham notched up another degree of energy.

We hit back with 13 minutes gone and an Evans ball into Rutten was nodded on. Fisk raced free on the left and clinically slotted the ball past an advancing keeper. 1-0.

Dyer dropped into mid field alongside Gajic and Brimson to help block a very vibrant Fareham right mid field and flank.

Murray won a strong tackle half way through the half and chipped the back for Fisk to go free. A good LF volley was scrambled out for a corner. Donachy won the ball but put it wide of the post.

8 minutes to go and Rutten closed down a central defender. A good tackle and through ball set up Fisk for a carbon copy of his first goal. Fisk made no mistake again and put us 2-0 ahead.

In the last five minutes of the half Fareham's pressure forced a couple of corner's. Lynch was equal to the threat punching the first one up field and clutching the second to go to ground as the whistle went.

Half Time 2-0

It was obvious from the whistle that Fareham's dressing room chat had inspired them to a blistering start.

Lynch made a good stop and then Kelly cleared a through ball from the edge of the penalty area.

We weathered the storm and Dyer linking with Gajic split open Fareham's defence to release Rutten. A ball, squared across the area, was chased in by Brimson but a good keeper took a clean catch preventing a shot.

55 minutes and we countered. It was Rutten again opening up a gap in the Fareham defence. A threaded pass gave Atkinson a clear run and there was no mistake as Atkinson scored low with an angled shot. 3-0.

4 minutes later Brimson took a Murray line ball and working the ball across the middle released Fisk. A low hard cross was knocked out for a corner. Donachy and Kelly went up for the header. The ball spun up in the air. Brimson had followed up and a hook ball whipped up the net. 4-0.

It was a healthy lead but Fareham's work ethic made us keep a disciplined shape. Good talking from Kelly and Donachy kept awareness at the back.

64 minutes saw Liam Donachy come off for well earned break allowing Zacc Phelps to take up the centre half spot.

Phelps fresh legs won the next run on goal as Fareham went more for the direct route to goal.

Lynch was tested with a couple of shots but the score line remained untouched as we mastered Fareham's attacks.

69 minutes had a very much in form Jordan Fisk rounding two defenders to get into the box. A right foot rising shot was finger tipped over the bar. In came the corner and the keeper again made an excellent catch under pressure.

82 minutes we had a double substitution. Max Brimson came off for Brad Goddard and Jordan Fisk came off for Joe Kimber.

Both were blooded quickly. Goddard battled through a couple of mid field tackles and whipped the ball wide for Kimber. Kimber cut inside and suffered a very strong tackle. Hand bags were out. A clutch of players formed the nearest thing to a rugby scrum before breaking up. Joe walked as red as the card waved before him.

It was a scrappy finish but we came off the park with a very welcome three points

Result 4-0.