WESSEX LEAGUE PREMIER DIVISION
THURSDAY 21ST APRIL 2016
AFC STONEHAM 2 VERWOOD TOWN 0

We had a couple missing from the squad because of work related problems but still managed to have a good line up available for this fixture.

Team…. Ray Stroud … Harrison Harding … Dan Evans …. George Thomas … Mike Snow … Matt Collins … Matt McGilchrist … Matt Jones …Darren Munday Alex Eaton … Chris Bailey

Bench …. Sam Clayton …Fraser Reed … Matt Gilham

After a few sparring minutes Bailey broke away on the left. A defence splitting pass gave Munday an opportunity but the keeper was out quickly to boot the ball away from the area.

Stoneham’s counter attack was through the middle but policed by Evans. A good header put the ball back in mid field. Eaton took up the running but was dropped just outside the area. Thomas took the free kick, found Munday, but watched the header go over the bar.

An excellent piece of football from Stoneham’s mid field cut through our defence allowing a shot from 20 yards. Stroud went high to make a good catch.

Stoneham’s pressure grew. Collins cleared one attack and Snow made a great tackle preventing a shot from 6 yards.

17 minutes gone and a high ball into the box was headed on. A toe poke on the far post was enough to divert the ball past Stroud. 0-1.

We rallied. Harding won a strong challenge and a line ball gave Eaton space. Eaton outpaced his marker to deliver a low cross, aimed for the far post. It could have crept in had it not been for an alert full back kicking it off the line.

Snow proved a tower of strength beating off two attackers in a heading dual. Then it was Collins turn to prevent a shot on goal as Stoneham pressed us back.

A high ball dropped in the box and a bundle of legs trying to connect finished with the referee giving a penalty. Although hotly disputed the decision stood and the penalty then adding to the score line. 0-2.

39 minutes we had the need to substitute Matt Collins following a fierce tackle leaving a badly bruised and swelling shin. On came Matt Gilham.

Half Time 0-2.

We picked up pace for the second half and in the first few minutes Bailey had hit the side netting. A Munday cross found Eaton. Eaton side footed from 10 yards but hit the post.

Stoneham’s attack down their right finished with a deep cross and a header back across goal. Stroud claimed the ball with a high catch.

A lengthy spell of mid field play had both teams cancelling out each other efforts to break out. Jones buzzed, showing good flair and produced a telling pass finally opening up a gap for Munday to try a shot. Stoneham’s keeper beat the ball out near the post. In came McGilchrist to try a shot but hit the side netting.

Evans and Bailey blocked the route down our left so a switch in Stoneham’s attacking style had Gilham employed. Good anticipation cut out one run and a strong tackle stopped another across the face of the box.

Eaton sparkled. A mazy run through the middle opened up a gap and Bailey raced in to fire the ball just over the bar from Eaton’s through ball.

Stoneham closed ranks and applied pressure.

Snow and Thomas worked the ball out of our area from one attack and Stroud had to produce a diving save as the home side pushed us further back.

Evans had to come off with 73 minutes gone giving Fraser Reed a run. It was good to see Fraser back in action after almost a year out with a broken leg.

Gilham linked with Eaton down the right and won a corner. Munday rose higher than the rest but put his header over the bar.

81 minutes and Harding made way for Clayton.

Clayton’s first touch was from Reed, collecting a waist high ball and sending a good pass to Jones. Jones spun and sent Munday free. A cross found McGilchrist. McGilchrist cut inside and tried a shot. Defender’s got in the way and after a game of ping pong the ball was hoofed up field.

The match lost a bit of passion as it neared the whistle. A clash though gave a penalty award in extra time. A determined Stroud kept the score line as it was with a flying save pushing the ball away from the box.

94 minutes and the whistle went on a Stoneham victory and the last game of the season for VTFC Reserves.

Result 0-2.