WESSEX LEAGUE PREMIER DIVISION
SATURDAY 3RD SEPTEMBER 2016
VERWOOD TOWN 1 BROCKENHURST 4

Before the game it seemed as if we needed to enter a seven a side league. The walking wounded reported leaving the task of producing a team sheet fairly easy. Kris Anderton’s carer oiled Kris joints helping him out to a warm up session. It should have been a bonfire job.

2 minutes into the game and a central attack was halted by Anderton. A late (very late) tackle gave away a free kick. Jackson watched it over the bar.

Brockenhurst still had more of the ball at this stage than us and a long ball wide gave space for a runner on goal. The shot went high and wide.

We worked hard to get possession and Dyer took control of a tumble in mid field. A ball wide to Foster sprung an attack. Foster spotted a gap and put Kelly through. Kelly’s heels were clipped but the Ref waved play on. Smith won a half cleared tussle and put Kelly through again. This time Kelly’s route to goal was blocked and the ball cleared.

Back came Brockenhurst. Flank play was the ploy. Cane took the ball and player over the line on one occasion and then produced a stooping header to prevent the same player making ground.

On the other side Evans had his hands full coping with similar moves but with both Phelps and Anderton stable in the middle we looked solid.

17 minutes gone and Evans broke away down the right. A delightful chip into the area and Kelly whipped in to try a glancing header looping it over the centre half but was gutted to see the full back clear off the line.

Jackson had to produce a double save half way through the half as Brockenhurst built up pressure.

Smith and Dyer gradually regained control in the middle making it a good game to watch.

43 minutes and it came. Goddard Smith and Dyer exchanged passes finishing with a scramble in the area from a Kelly shot. Bergin was on the loose ball in a flash and a low left foot shot was drilled past the keeper to put us ahead.

Half Time 1-0

Instructions at half time were simple keep tight and maintain discipline. Hearing aids had been turned off.

Following a brief excursion when Foster shot across the face of goal Brockenhust found room to play.

We gave space on their right. A lapse in concentration and the cross was diverted past Jackson. Offside. A let off.

A minute later Brockenhurst broke through again but this time Anderton had tracked the runner and a sliding tackle produced not just a bow wave but the tackle of the season, in the box.

We looked ragged. An attempt to get a back line working again was an instruction to get a high line. Geography was never a strong subject with our lads and the line finished up in Newquay. It was sufficient for oceans of space to give Brockenhurst runners a happy birthday.

Foster had to limp off with hamstring troubles. On came Maddocks. Checking his spinal supports were in place Maddocks moved into mid field.

Then the high line was penetrated by a simple ball over the back. Phelps produced a sprint that would normally have taken him to Rio. A great tackle gave away a corner. Cruel luck. The ball bounced around and was nudged past Jackson for the leveler. 1-1.

Our discipline was obviously in place. The high line hadn’t moved so the re start was quickly effected.

5 minutes later another simple ball over the high line and a runner went free to slot the ball past Jackson 1-2.

We gathered ourselves together and Phelps cleaning up an attack surged forward through the middle a switch ball to Bergin and a cross found Kelly on the edge of the box. A terrific volley sped past the post.

We pushed up and got a free kick for a foul on Maddocks who was dropped in full flight. Goddard floated the ball into the penalty area but the keeper came out to make a great catch.

73 minutes we fiddled around in the middle of the park and forgot what to do. The ball was tapped through a static defence and a runner sped away to make it 1-3.

79 minutes and Goddard came off to give Matt Gilham a run. Gilham’s first touch of the ball was to top a shot 6 yards out and put it wide.

91 minutes and the game secured for Brockenhurst with a shot from the edge of the box and no marker. 1-4.

Result 1-4. (NHS will be tested this week end).