WESSEX LEAGUE PREMIER DIVISION
WEDNESDAY 17TH AUGUST 2016
VERWOOD TOWN 1 LYMINGTON TOWN 5

2 minutes gone and a free kick given away 30 yards out was half parried by Jackson. The spill was hammered wide of the post.

A minute later Pepe Smith broke free on the left. Cutting inside Smith dropped a cross under the bar and was disappointed to see it hoofed off the line.

A good opening spell from both teams with Lymington a bit more inventive that Verwood. A mix of long balls and some useful football in the middle gave Lymington an edge.

Evans, back for his first game of the season blocked a cross from the Lymington left and pushing forward sparked a Foster Dyer move bringing Bergin in on the right. Bergin's progress came to an abrupt end as a strong tackle took the ball off toes.

A 20 yard screamer from Lymington was well taken on the line by Jackson. His throw found Murray and a line ball put us into Lymington's third. Foster turned his marker but his shot was half hit giving the keeper an easy catch.

Lymington's switch to long ball gave Phelps and Smith a lot to cover but Jackson was on form to add his sweeper capability. (Eat your heart out Joe Hart).

Lymington's pressure was maintained and with 36 minutes on the clock we suffered by allowing a ping pong game on the edge of our area finishing with a chip over the advancing Jackson 0-1.

Dyer prompted and supported a run down the left. Pepe Smith linked and a deep cross found Bergin. A volley went wide of the post.

Foster went close and then Murray sent in a dipper from the left. The ball was punched out of the box and a big boot cleared the ball up field.

Phelps, cool calm and collected took the ball round a runner and slipped a pass wide for Pepe Smith. A link up with Head resulted in Smith delivering a good cross but there was no one present to test the keeper.

2 minutes of the half left Foster went free but shot into the side netting.

It was hardly a pulsating finish to the half but the teams went in with Lymington in the lead.

Half Time 0-1.

Only a minute had elapsed when a Lymington high and long ball was met by Jackson. His volley was slanted and fell to a Lymington forward. A quick shot fell into Jackson's safe hands.

A couple of minutes later a line ball on Lymington's right was chased by Murray an attempted cross gave way to a corner. An inswinger drifted across the area with no one bothering to follow up.

We hit back. Bergin whipped the ball central. Foster headed over the backs and Bergin went free. Out came the keeper to win the race.

We then lost concentration and dropped pace. Lymington didn't. Gajic and Dyer were over employed in the middle trying to curb a series of attacks. Too many Verwood players eased.

57 minutes Sammy Glatzel made his first entry of the season coming on for Matt Head.

58 minutes and we suffered from laxity. We had pushed up and a long ball dropped over the backs for a runner to go free. Tom Jackson had no chance as the ball whipped past him into the bottom corner. 0-2.

60 minutes and another high ball caused total confusion on the edge of the box. Jackson came for it but was blocked. The ball rolled free and was tucked away to make it 0-3. A soft goal.

We strung together a good bit of football from the re start with Glatzel and Gajic releasing Bergin who wriggled free of his marker. The keeper advanced but Bergin's chip landed on top of the net. 65 minutes a tussle 30 yards out left a spinning ball bobbling around. Jackson called and raced out. A Lymington toe beat our efforts and the ball sailed into the net 0-4. A comedy of errors. 2 minutes later we made a break down the middle and Gajic finished off the move with a well taken goal 1-4. 70 minutes we had a substitution. Ethan Maddocks came on for Pepe Smith in a straight swap.

Murray and Foster burst down the left. Murray finished off the move with a cross, The keeper did well to take the ball under intense pressure.

Foster worked hard to win back a loose ball and a cross to the far post was met by Gajic but his header flashed over the bar.

3 minutes to go and a simple through ball found a runner. Jackson sprinted off his line but was beaten by a well placed shot. 1-5.

We had a reasonable spell for 20 minutes but failed badly to do 90 minutes.

Result 1-5.