WESSEX LEAGUE PREMIER DIVISION
WEDNESDAY 31ST AUGUST 2016
VERWOOD TOWN 2 TEAM SOLENT 2

Martin Smith won the ball in mid field slipping the ball wide for Guthrie. Guthrie moved wide, rounding the full back and crossing low into the box. Pepe Smith tried an overhead but skimmed the shot. The ball ended close to the post but just too far for Gajic to get a toe in.

Only a couple of minutes had elapsed but the start gave hope for a much better performance than of late.

Solent clicked. Good passing and movement off the ball created space on the flank but Ben Cane covered the threat and cleared down the line.

Both sides played along the deck so it was a good match for spectators.

Jackson made a flying save tipping the ball over the bar from an angled shot and then punched the corner clear up field.

13 minutes saw Dyer drift through a couple of tackles and then hit a low shot past defenders from 25 yards. The ball glanced the upright.

Solent's forwards were pushing down the middle giving Ben Kelly and Zac Phelps a lot to cope with. Evans and Cane were then busy as Solent switched play to the flanks.

28 minutes and a good link on our right split Solent's defence. Guthrie and Pepe Smith finished the move with a cross to the far post. Gajic had followed in and his header rifled past the keeper into the roof of the net. 1-0.

Solent picked up pace and we had a few torrid minutes of defending with Phelps and Kelly winning the aerial threat. Evans and Cane were equally solid at full back so we survived Solent's onslaught.

Ryan Kelly and Guthrie's work rate was a noticeable feature as they tried to break through a tightly controlled defence. Pepe Smith took a knock following in a cross from Cane and looked uncomfortable.

2 minutes left and a shot cum cross, dipped over Jackson to make it 1-1.

1 minute left we gave away a free kick. The ball went wide then flicked into the area. A tap in looked like 1-2 but the whistle went for offside.

Half Time 1-1.

It looked like the Jekyll and Hyde syndrome took hold as we moved into 2 minutes of the re start and found ourselves behind.

It was a simple goal well executed by Solent.

A line ball, a good low cross into the box and a first time volley put Solent in front. 1-2.

The spirit in the team was excellent. No heads dropped despite recent results and we gradually gained more possession.

Martin Smith hammered a shot from 20 yards but straight at the keeper. Guthrie hit the side netting and Ryan Kelly hammered a ball inches wide of the post.

On 59 minutes Pepe Smith had to come off. James Bergin went one for one.

A minute later Jackson had to make a brilliant save as Solent ripped through mid field and tried a shot from the edge of the box.

A second attack was dealt with by Phelps. Good control and passing ability found Bergin wide left. A good run and Bergin's cross was met by Ryan Kelly. The header went straight at the keeper.

We maintained pressure. Guthrie was blocked on the edge of the box and then Gajic fired wide from a Cane cross.

Evans found room on the right. A good ball down the line sent Ryan Kelly free. Guthrie collected the pass but found extra bodies blocking the route to goal.

Good football on the deck involving Dyer Martin Smith and Bergin finished with a cross to the far post. This time Gajic stole in to slam a right foot shot into the roof of the net. 2-2 with 16 minutes left.

Back came Solent. Both dugouts were now boisterous. A shot was cut out by Phelps. Ben Kelly then made two clearances from angled shots. Dyer chipped in with a penalty spot tackle taking the ball off toes.

Ryan Kelly got back at the other end with a rasping shot tipped over the bar by the keeper. Ben Kelly headed the corner over the bar.

We battled on. Cane stopped a cross from Solent's right and Evans swept round the back when Solent tried a couple of high balls over the middle.

The whistle went on a good game for spectators and a much better performance from our team.

Result 2-2