WESSEX LEAGUE PREMIER DIVISION
WEDNESDAY 3RD AUGUST 2016
VERWOOD TOWN 0 PORTLAND UNITED 2

Our first league game of the season saw us hosting newly promoted Portland United at Potterne

Holidays and work patterns had a detrimental affect on the squad. We still had a good base but sporting only two on the bench.

High energy and route one hit the scene straight from the kick off. Ben Kelly and Zac Phelps stood in the way of the initial launch, winning an aerial battle.

Portland's running was a major feature and we struggled at first to get to grips.

Up front Ryan Kelly was shadowed closely. At one point almost shared his shirt with his marker.

A couple of missiles cleared a stagnating mid field and Tom Jackson had no difficulty coping with hopeful long shots.

28 minutes on the clock and an attack on Portland's left flank was cut out by Begley. The tackle resulted in a flailing hand catching Begley in the left eye. The injury was serious enough to force an immediate substitution. On came Ethan Maddocks. A shuffle of the pack was needed so James Bergin went to left back and James Murray right back. Maddocks slipped into space behind Ryan Kelly and Matt Head dropped deeper in defence.

Portland demonstrated a winning mentality leaving nothing to chance nor allowing any settling on the ball.

Goddard slipped the leash and Pepe Smith went wide to collect a fine pass to move down the flank. Portland closed ranks and Smith's shot was blocked and cleared.

A high ball was monitored by Phelps, His strong header looped high into the right hand side of Portland's defenders. Ryan Kelly followed up and a strong tackle was judged a foul. It's a wonder the card wasn't singed the speed at which it emerged. A quick free kick was slipped sideways for an up'n'under. Kelly followed the ball and although got a toe to it the ref judged it a foul and flourished a second yellow. Many of the crowd near the incident voiced sentiments but it had no effect and Ryan Kelly in his first league game for the Club trudged to the dressing room. Down to ten men with 9 minutes of the half left.

Portland's adrenalin rushed. We were pegged back but re grouped and defended well. Portland's pressure increased but the teams went in at halftime without a goal.

Half Time 0-0

Again we faced a continuation of high energy and direct football. Phelps tracked wide left to clear and then the ball arrowed back for Ben Kelly to head out of the area.

Pepe Smith delivered a great cross for Head to have a shot but the keeper read it well and took an easy catch. A bullet of a kick up field had Bergin and Phelps racing back but Jackson beat everyone to gather the ball on the edge of the box.

58 minutes a well worked flank raid on Portland's right finished with a low cross and a side foot past Jackson put Portland ahead 0-1.

We hit back. Head had a shot on target but straight at the keeper and then Pepe Smith smashed a low ball across the box. All it wanted was a tap in but no one had followed in.

62 minutes had elapsed when a ball dropped in mid field and Goddard challenged. Goddard's shin caught the brunt of the clash and had to receive treatment. Then an astonished crowd saw an exchange of words and a red card. Goddard's walk trod the same footprints as Ryan Kelly's. Most opinions expressed said it was extremely harsh. BUT … we went down to 9 men.

We re grouped yet again. 5 minutes later we had shuttled back to defend as balls pumped into the area increased.

Murray and Bergin swapped flanks. Phelps and Ben Kelly kept tight and Head dropped deeper.

Jackson made a couple of superb saves but a fair analysis would be that Jackson's tremendous display, supplemented by poor Portland finishing kept the score down.

Guthrie and Maddocks worked hard trying to close down the launch pad and Guthrie almost snatched an equalizer with a good turn and shot that went wide.

70 minutes, we saw Dominic Panesar-Dower enter the fray in place of Matt Head. Dom was straight in fighting for a ball on the edge of the Portland box. A chip inside gave Smith a chance but the keeper made a good save low to his right.

Then, we had a flurry of shots from Portland's marauders but again Jackson and poor finishing kept us at 0-1.

Tired legs let in a cross with 4 minutes left and a simple tap in on the far post made it 0-2.

The team put in a spirited last few minutes but it was Portland who secured the points.

Result 0-2.