WESSEX LEAGUE PREMIER DIVISION
SATURDAY 23RD APRIL 2016
COWES SPORTS 1 VERWOOD TOWN 0

Only 5 minutes had elapsed when Dyer’s delicate chip over centre backs landed on the corner of the box. Gajic squared across for Wood but bodies had shuffled back and the route to goal closed down. Wood cut the ball back to Gajic. His clip to the far post was headed clear.

A good start and similar to our Sholing encounter. An attacking style not reliant on any counter attacks.

Evans found space to overlap and a delivery into the box cleared Cowes’ defenders. Guthrie stole in to plant a header goalwards but straight at the keeper.

Dyer, prompting and probing, dinked a ball over the centre half for Wood to reach. Wood followed in but the keeper was off his line quickly to gather on the edge of the area.

All this and only 15 minutes gone.

A superb move from Cowes mid field to wide right and Murray was stretched to curb entry into our box. The ball was cut back and a vicious volley was well taken by Lynch.

Phelps won a heading dual finding Evans with his clearance. Evans worked the ball down the flank with Dyer and then drilled the return ball into the Cowes penalty area for Wood to try his luck His header was spot on for the bottom corner but a brilliant diving one handed save flicked the ball away from danger.

Cowes hit a purple patch. Good movement caught us too far forward and a cross field ball wide left had us scampering back to cover. A low shot was on target but Lynch was down quickly to safely clutch the ball.

39 minutes gone and Evans went to collect a thigh high ball. A studs up tackle incensed him and retaliation meant the inevitable red card. Down to ten men.

2 minutes later we were still sorting out positional needs and a corner sped in for a simple deflection into the net. 0-1.

For a couple of minutes we re adjusted and then before the break had Gajic heading over and Wood firing wide.

Half Time 0-1.

Aaron Atkinson came on at the re start for Brad Goddard. A shuffle of the pack and we pushed on. There was no intention of sitting back to absorb pressure.

Guthrie slipped his marker and went wide to cross into the area. Dyer followed in to hit a low shot into defenders. The ball skidded out and Wood slammed it back. Dead Ball.

Cowes got the bit between their teeth and pressed forward. A high ball and a runner. Murray stood his ground just inside the box. The runner continued and collided. A penalty !!!!

The referee was determined his decision was OK and Cowes got the spot kick.

Lynch chose the right way and a superb save kept the score at 0-1.

Murray collected a long Cowes clearance and passed down the line for Atkinson. Atkinson turned his marker but was almost bowled over. Again a bit of red mist and both players finished up like WWF. Hand bags were now being made ready.

Alan Lay took the sting out of play making substitutions bringing James Murray off and giving Sammy Glatzel a run. James Guthrie made way for Tom Begley. A positional shuffle followed.

Passion was still evident though and a couple of robust tackles looked like sparking more problems. Gajic was floored while making a run unto the box and after the free kick was hoofed clear went into a tackle earning a yellow.

Tom Begley had taken up left back spot for the first time in his tender years but looked as if he had been cemented their displaying good close marking and supporting the Phelps and Donachy combination. It was a clearing header from Begley that gave Atkinson a gap to move into and a great run across the box finished with a shot that unfortunately didn’t have enough sting to beat the keeper.

Although a man down we went for broke. Atkinson and Wood had deflected shots and Sammy Glatzel opened up the Cowes defence with a great through ball. The keeper just beat Wood to the ball.

Cowes retaliated. Donachy made a great tackle and then Phelps went high to head out of the area.

Amongst it all, the cool Ben Kelly swept up any debris and with Lynch on top form we looked capable of coping with any attacks from the home team.

The game deteriorated with petty fouls and arguments. We kept attacking and almost nicked a goal from a typical Gajic run and shot. The keeper was equal to the attempt.

Donachy headed over a corner and then Phelps had to suffer a yellow for a ‘robust’ challenge.

Extra time produced a couple of thrills and spills but the points went to Cowes.

Result 0-1