WESSEX LEAGUE PREMIER DIVISION
SATURDAY 26TH MARCH 2016
TEAM SOLENT 2 VERWOOD TOWN 0

Despite a couple of torrential downpours and a ‘sheen’ on top of the surface the ref decided the game could be played.

Both teams tried to play along the deck and with a surprising amount of success. Solent adapted quicker than we did and with 5 minutes gone forced a corner. It was a hotly disputed move starting from a strong claim for offside but Donachy closed quickly on the runner and gave away the corner.

We took too long to clear and a volley from just inside the box whipped past Lynch. 0-1.

Swann and Atkinson made ground following a Phelps clearance and Swann’s pass to Rutten split Solent’s right hand side. Solent’s cover was first class and Rutten was blocked from the area by the centre half.

Solent’s movement was a feature of their attacking play and we had to work hard to contain a lively set of forwards.

Goddard’s presence was highlighted when under intense pressure turned a marker and delivered a tremendous cross field ball finding Brimson on the overlap. Brimson on to Swann then took a return ball to cross for Murray to take up the running. A high ball into Solent’s box was followed in by Atkinson but the keeper raced out to made a great save under pressure.

An attack down Solent’s right was well monitored by Murray and a sliding tackle won the ball. Murray’s pace took him away from a mid field marker and a cross into Solent’s box was just too much for Rutten to reach.

The keeper sent a ball high into our third and a runner broke away to fire a cross shot. Lynch dived low left and palmed the ball away to Brimson. A run down the right and we were back in Solent’s half. Dyer took over the move and a slick piece of skill took him free on the edge of the box. A pass inside defenders gave an opportunity for Swann but the side netting proved to be his target.

The pitch was heavy but the pace of the game never wavered. Both teams appeared to have a high energy level.

Rutten took a knock and had to come off. Guthrie substituted.

Just before the half time whistle we went close for an equalizer. Dyer hit a screamer from 20 yards. The keeper beat the ball out and Swann followed in to hammer a low shot on target. Bodies got in the way and the ball skipped to the edge of the box where Guthrie found space to hit a volley on target. Yet again Solent’s defenders mustered and the ball was hoofed away from danger.

Half Time 0-1

Guthrie sent a defence splitting pass wide right to free up Atkinson. Atkinson cut in but defenders had cut across blocking the cross giving away a corner. The corner was a dismal affair. Not too high and off target hitting the side netting. It was a good two minute opener though. Could we maintain it ??

Smith battled for the ball in mid field but was elbowed gaining a foul. Smith took it himself and Swann did well to reach the cross but put it wide.

Dyer, Murray and Smith then worked the ball down the left. Guthrie took up the running and found himself chewing grass as a strong tackle sent him planning down the line.

Guthrie hit the free kick into the box and this time it was Smith who rose highest to head over the bar.

Solent’s turn. An excellent bit of football through the middle and worked left opened us up and this time it was Lynch making a great save to keep the score board static.

It was end to end and with 18 minutes left Atkinson went free and hit a left foot shot across the keeper. It inched past the post. Another chance gone.

We then had a spell in the middle of the park with both teams cancelling out each other’s moves. One though that ‘got away’ left an opening for a rising shot that Lynch did well to tip over the bar.

Donachy joined the crowd in Solent’s box and won the header from Dyer’s corner. Again we suffered as the ball clipped the cross bar and went over.

Solent took up the running. They dominated possession for a period but Phelps and Donachy particularly did well to stem aerial threats.

77 minutes and Guthrie made way for Fisk.

4 minutes later a shot from the edge of our box hit the post spun along the line hit Lynch’s leg and rolled over the line. 0-2.

Fisk almost made it 2-1 a minute later with a mazy run and smashed a shot just wide.

The whistle went on a good performance but another loss.

Result 0-2