WESSEX LEAGUE PREMIER DIVISION
TUESDAY 27TH SEPTEMBER 2016
HAMWORTHY UNITED 1 VERWOOD TOWN 3

Tom Rees donned the gloves for a welcome debut with Verwood. Other changes included Harvey Elsom partnering Martin Smith in the centre of our back four with Zacc Phelps moving into into a centre mid field role alongside Russell Dyer.

Chas Gajic returned for the fixture and made a bow alongside Ryan Kelly. Alex Eaton’s return from injury was a plus so we had a very changed line up than in the last few games.

Both sides showed intent with a quick start. Hamworthy were first to test keepers with a high cross into the six yard box. Tom Rees had no trouble plucking it from heads.

A throw to Evans wide right sparked a run with Evans and Eaton exchanging passes. The final ball into Hamworthy’s area was a peach but before Kelly could reach it a strong headed clearance put the ball back onto the half way line.

Our running off the ball was improving. Dyer and Phelps worked the mid field area and Gajic alongside Kelly gave concern to Hamworthy’s defenders.

We pushed on enjoying a bit more possession than the home side and this gave an opportunity for a ball to be looped over our back four but a very alert Elsom and Smith tracked back to close off access for the runner. Rees’ intelligent reading of the attack took him off his line to ‘sweep’ and clear the ball away from danger.

Cane and Evans became heavily employed as Hamworthy switched their attacking options to the flanks.

Cane intercepted a line ball and making ground linked up with Johnson. Johnson was forced to get chalk on his boots but made the bye line and his low cross was inches away from being slotted home by Kelly.

Good defensive cover in Hamworthy’s ranks blocked a Gajic Eaton move, but Phelps 30 yarder caused a few ooh’s as it whipped over the bar.

Evans and Eaton’s partnership was yielding. Good movement off the ball created space and a close exchange of passes near half time broke the defensive stranglehold leaving Kelly to hammer the final pass into the box just wide of the upright.

A late flurry of activity from Hamworthy finished with Rees taking a high ball in the box sending us in at half time level pegging.

Half Time 0-0.

Our Jekyll and Hyde appearances after half time have resulted in sloppy give aways finding ourselves down within minutes of the re start.

Cane had to give way for Bergin to take over the left back spot. Ankle ligaments had flared.

This time concentration levels were just right and although under the cosh from a quick series of attacks from Hamworthy we looked solid and what did get through was comfortably handled by Rees.

We gained more possession. Phelps and Dyer had to work like Trojans to edge their mid field hold but it paid off with better approaches giving Hamworthy’s defenders more to do than normal.

Evans, Elsom, Phelps and then Eaton carried the ball away from the area. Eaton went wide right and crossed low for Kelly. A turn and lay off on the edge of the box gave a few inches of space for a Dyer rocket. The ball flew past defenders and the keeper to rifle its way into the top corner. 65 minutes and 1-0.

Minutes later Johnson went close with a shot and then Gajic headed over from a Phelps chip into the box.

Eaton was enjoying himself and on 75 minutes finished off an Evans Dyer link ghosting past his marker and planting an inch perfect shot past the keeper. 2-0.

No heads dropped in the Hamworthy team. Instead they upped energy levels and pushed on.

77 minutes and a hopeful 40 yarder flew low past mid field. Tom Rees was unsighted so within a couple of minutes our 2-0 lead was reduced. 2-1.

Hamworthy piled on the pressure seeking a leveler. Rees, cool calm and collected took the sting out of two rising shots and then made a diving save to take a low shot heading for the bottom corner.

Bergin blocked a hopeful run down his flank and then worked forward along with Johnson. Johnson’s final ball dropped in the penalty box and Kelly was inches away from toe poking home.

A battle for mid field ensued with Dyer and Phelps just ahead in the stakes.

Extra time saw Rees pull off a good save but our counter finished with Kelly breaking into the box. The keeper raced from his line to dive at feet but Kelly dinked the ball over him into the corner of the net. 3-1.

Result 3-1