WESSEX LEAGUE PREMIER DIVISION
SATURDAY 19TH MARCH 2016
VERWOOD TOWN 1 ANDOVER TOWN 2

Andover’s very much alert keeper finger tipped a Brimson daisy cutter round the post with only 30 seconds gone. It was an odd start for us. We normally take the first half to settle down in trying developing our walking football game.

Andover almost broke through 3 minutes later but Phelps was rock solid winning a header and playing an inch perfect ball to Dyer. Dyer slipped the ball on to Atkinson and Gajic hammered a low cross for goal. Bodies got in the way and the ball cleared.

6 minutes and Andover created a clear opening. A shot from 15 yards was well taken by Lynch.

We pushed on. Good midfield play from Dyer and Goddard had both our flanks busy and after 9 minutes Brimson collected a Dyer pass and curled a brilliant effort over the keeper but was disappointed to see it hit the angle of post and bar and bounce down. Wood collected, pivoted and hit a volley from 6 yards out. The keeper did superbly well body blocking the shot and watched it booted clear.

It was a bright start but Andover’s resilience prevented any score board activity.

Then we had a reverse of energy where Andover pushed us back and gained the majority of possession. One attack down the left could have produced a goal but Lynch was the hero with a great save.

Andover’s fight back put them ahead on first and second balls resulting in a corner awarded with 13 minutes gone. An inswinger dropped in a crowded box, hit a knee and bounced past an astonished Lynch. 0-1.

Kelly prevented a run on goal with a sturdy tackle and chipping the ball wide left gave Atkinson a chance of a run on goal. Defenders reacted quickly and cut off Atkinson’s route.

It see sawed for a while but half way through the half discipline slackened and we suffered when a ball floated into the penalty box dropped nicely for a tap in 0-2.

We looked ragged for a while and Andover should have gone 3 up had their header been better directed from another corner.

A minute to go we worked the ball left and a deep cross found Brimson who hooked for goal. It took a deflection and hit the back of the net. Brimson’s sympathetic pleas held up so his tally for the season rocketed to three.

Half Time 1-2

Our half time chat was effective. We pushed forward trying hard to grab a second.

Evans to Atkinson, on to Gajic and a shot destined for the net was deflected into the keeper’s hands.

2 minutes later it was Andover’s turn to feel aggrieved when a shot from the edge of the box found safety in Lynch’s hands.

Lynch launched the ball high into Andover’s third and Wood followed in to strike from 12 yards but into the side netting.

Goddard sprung an attack with a switch of flanks freeing Atkinson. Reaching the edge of the box Atkinson slammed a low hard cross into the area that was blocked and half cleared. Dyer strode in and tried a shot, again blocked. Last to try was Gajic but yet again Andover’s back four did their job admirably and hoofed the ball up field.

Then it was Lynch’s turn to show athleticism with a tremendous leap to punch clear.

For a short while the game reverted to the first half style with Andover pushing us back forcing us to defend deep in our third. It left only Joe Wood and Aaron Atkinson up front without support from mid field.

We battled on and got back into our stride with some excellent football from Dyer and Gajic. Goddard’s vision was on show with some telling passes but we couldn’t crack Andover’s defence.

Phelps and Donachy provided an impenetrable barrier at this stage allowing Kelly a bit of freedom to work the flank with Atkinson.

78 minutes we had a double substitution with Brad Goddard making way for Tyler Rutten and Martin Smith on for Aaron Atkinson. It was almost one of those ‘inspired substitutions’ when Smith’s first touch of the ball was a fierce header from a corner that was tipped over the bar.

The corner dropped on the penalty spot. Boots flew but it was an Andover one that connected clearing the ball to Ringwood High Street.

An injury had delayed play for a long time so when 89 minutes had elapsed and Murray came on for Brimson there was still ten minutes to play.

The game went end to end but although we had a slight edge on opportunities, a resolute Andover went home with the three points.

Result 1-2