WESSEX LEAGUE PREMIER DIVISION
SATURDAY 7TH MAY 2016
FAREHAM TOWN 6 VERWOOD TOWN 0

Langton … Begley T … Murray … Dyer … Donachy … Phelps … Glatzel … Goddard … Wood … Davies … Atkinson.

Bench … Begley F … Reed … Lynch.

Brandon Langton put on the gloves for the first time this season while Chris Lynch sat the bench. Ben Kelly Jack Swann Martin Smith Chas Gajic and Dean Evans all missed this last game of the season through holiday's, work commitments and of course Deano's red card.

50 seconds on the clock and Fareham went down their left hand side unchallenged until they reached the goal area. Phelps had spotted the danger and a tremendous tackle blocked the cross.

We had a bit of play in the middle of the park and then decided the best thing would be to sit back and admire a Fareham attack.

A ball through the middle a switch to their right and we opened up like a can of sardines. Langton raced from his line and the shot whipped past him heading for goal. Tom Begley had a spurt of energy and got to the goal line in time to hoof the ball away into touch.

Another Fareham move was broken up by Begley. Glatzel took a pass and turning his marker found himself chewing grass as a strong tackle floored him. Dyer took the free kick and dropped it into the six yard box. Goddard leaped just above the grass missing the ball by inches.

That was it. We had exhausted ourselves with effort ploughed into ten minutes of open play.

3 minutes later we sat back to admire a Fareham move through the middle finishing with Langton racing from his line to stop an inevitable shot. He didn't. The ball was slotted past him into the bottom corner 0-1.

It looked like scenes from Shaun of the Dead as we trudged our way and watching Fareham enjoy 100% possession.

Donachy cut across to stop a shot from the left and then Phelps followed up with a great clearance header as Fareham applied more pressure.

A quick break down Fareham's right was switched across the middle finishing with a runner down the left. A cross, an unmarked player in the box, and Langton produced a great save from a low half volley, palming the ball away from the line. The ball was gathered unhampered by another lurking unmarked player and an angled shot made it 0-2.

2 minutes later Fareham should have made it three as we let in a left flank move and a simple chip into the middle was headed wide from 3 yards. It would have been easier to score.

It was inevitable a third would be on the score board before half time and with ten minutes left a long clearance dropped over our back four. Langton raced out but a chip cleared him and dropped under the bar. 0-3.

Half Time 0-3.

Fareham's engine room was in full throttle as we kicked off. 30 seconds gone and a left flank raid finished with a corner as Begley got a tackle in on the bye line. An inswinger was followed in but Phelps was first up to make a great clearance.

Davies and Wood each had a hot flush and almost cut through the Fareham defence. Bodies blocked our attack leaving the keeper sunbathing.

It became embarrassing as Fareham won everything on offer. Header's, first second and third balls and when they on rare occasions gave us possession we made sure they had the ball back quickly.

51 minutes Fareham drifted through a token defence and from 18 yards planted the ball into the top corner giving Langton no chance. 0-4.

What a baptism of fire for Brandon Langton it was his first game between the sticks for us, and had to face a wave of attacks on his own.

We spoiled the Fareham's keeper's afternoon with a free kick taken by Dyer finding Wood near the sticks. The keeper was disturbed as Wood went up with defenders but the keeper caught the ball easily without breaking a sweat. He slipped back into slumber after booting the ball up field.

Flynn Begley came on for Joe Wood (56 minutes) and Fraser Reed came on for Brad Goddard as Alan Lay tried to jolt some movement into the side. It didn't work. A new formation had to be relayed. Out came the board and magnetic players. Simple logic was transmitted. … Ten in the penalty area leaving Langton as prop.

71 minutes. A run down the left, a header across the goal and a stooping player nodded in number 5.

The game needed power and pace. Calls for the introduction of Chris Lynch bent the eardrums. On he came with 9 minutes left. His introduction was instant. A dazzling run down the right took him to the bye line, but when he came to cross found he didn't have the ball.

Not one to be downhearted by a simple mistake Lynch followed a Murray clearance into the box hammering the ball over the bar. Remarkably the keeper slept on.

6 minutes left. Another long ball down Fareham's left a brilliant piece of ball control and the ball was quickly despatched past Langton for the half dozen.

What a way to finish the season. A lack lustre effort resulting in a mauling.

The difference was a simple one. Fareham wanted the win and got it.

Result 0-6.