EMIRATES FA CUP PRELIMINARY ROUND
SATURDAY 20TH AUGUST 2016
VERWOOD TOWN 2 FAREHAM TOWN 2

Fareham forced the first attack breaking down their right and a deep cross dropped on the edge of the area. The shot was on target but Jackson was well placed to take a safe catch.

Bergin and Pepe Smith worked the left flank and Smith's cut back from the bye line gave Bergin space for a cross. Foster raced in but put the ball wide of the post.

We looked a bit sharper than in the last couple of games and with Martin Smith and Russ Dyer snapping in the middle not too many chances cropped up for Fareham's forwards.

Fareham edged play though moving the ball accurately between their backs and mid field.

Guthrie and Pepe Smith broke shackles and with martin Smith in support broke free on the corner of the Fareham box. Martin Smith hit a volley thoroughly deserving a goal but the angle of post and bar saved a change to the score line.

A brief lapse in concentration was enough for a Fareham goal. A good move in the middle of the park finished with a slide rule pass through our backs and a runner chipped the advancing Jackson to make it 0-1.

We regained composure and settled back into rhythm. Head made an overlap half way through the half and placed a high ball onto the spot. Heads went up but the keeper came out quickly to take the ball under pressure.

Fareham still enjoyed a little bit more of the ball than we did but with Phelps Kelly Bergin and Head holding a tight reign not a lot crept through.

32 minutes a long clearance out of Fareham's defence dropped over mid field for a runner. Phelps was across quickly to take control and steer the ball away from danger.

A slice of luck was ours when a cross from the Fareham right flank whistled across the box with two Fareham players inches away from connecting.

We hit back with 5 minutes left. Phelps won a header and raced through the middle to clip the ball over a defender for Pepe Smith to make ground. Smith rolled the ball along the edge of the area for Guthrie to try his luck. Players closed ranks to block the shot and boot clear.

Half Time 0-1.

30 seconds gone saw Pepe Smith and Guthrie tussling for the ball in the middle of the park. We won this one and Guthrie broke away but topped the shot on the edge of the area giving the keeper little need for his diazepam.

We were now enjoying a bigger slice of possession. Guthrie and Pepe Smith moved the ball well up front. A couple of shots were on target but a good keeper kept the score line in favour of the visitors.

Kelly kept a good line at the back holding back a galavanting Matt Head.

A break on the right was policed by Phelps. The danger snuffed as Phelps edged player and ball into dead ball.

Bergin nipped in to take the ball off toes in another snap attack and we got back into stride with Dyer prompting and probing from mid field. A link up with Martin Smith left Dyer free for a shot but the keeper safely gathered at the foot of the post.

Foster had a shot that went wide and then Guthrie tried a dipper that the keeper took under the bar.

67 minutes Fosters sweat and toil took a break as he made way for Eaton.

2 minutes later we gave the ball away in the middle of the park and suffered as a punt cleared our defence leaving a player free to score. 0-2.

It seemed to spur us on. A more determined effort all round and we were back on thje attack. TheFareham keeper was busy. Guthrie had a shot stopped and Pepe Smith hit the side netting as we tried hard to pull the score back.

Eaton picked up a Martin Smith pass and went wide right. A good cross and Guthrie flicked the ball past the keeper. 1-2. 15 minutes left.

We pushed forward. Glatzel tried a shot but put it straight into the keepers arms. Eaton put a cross over the bar and then Guthrie saw an effort take varnish off the post. We couldn't get that all important equaliser.

Fareham almost made it secure though as they broke on the left and a great shot was superbly taken by Jackson.

6 minutes left. Good approach work from Dyer and Martin Smith opened up a gap. Guthrie took advantage and planted a 25 yarder past the keeper. 2-2.

We went for broke. Guthrie hit the post and then had a shot kicked off the line. Pepe Smith drained with effort shot straight at the keeper with seconds remaining.

Result 2-2. ..so a replay Tuesday night at Fareham