WESSEX LEAGUE PREMIER DIVISION
SATURDAY 1ST OCTOBER 2016
VERWOOD TOWN 0 NEWPORT 0

The transfer of Jason Collins was transacted in time for Jason to make his debut against Newport.

On the pitch ….
Jason Collins .. Dean Evans .. Ben Cane .. Ben Kelly .. Harvey Elsom .. Russell Dyer .. Alex Eaton .. Ethan Maddocks .. Ryan Kelly .. Mike Snow .. Ryan Johnson.

On the bench …. Martin Smith .. James Bergin .. Brad Goddard .. Kris Anderton .. Dan Fawcett.

Dyer and Maddocks worked through the middle to release Snow. Snow reached the edge of the box but was floored by a strong tackle. Play was waved on despite shouts for a foul.

Newport’s counter attack finished with the ball safely in Collins’ hands at the foot of the post. A typical Collins Up n’ Under gave Ryan Kelly a run but rapid cover blocked the way to goal. Only 8 minutes had elapsed so the crowd had good expectancies for the next 82.

Evans cut out a threat on his flank and making ground crossed deep into Newport’s third. Johnson swept in off the left and volleyed for goal. Bodies blocked the shot.

Eaton was prominent half way through the half and a good run on the right opened up Newport’s defence. A good low cross almost reached Snow but the keeper cut across the flight and made a good catch.

Eaton’s follow up minutes later finished with Ryan Kelly reaching the cross, heading for goal. The keeper palmed it from under the bar. Maddocks headed back and another good save from the keeper flipped it over the bar. The ref gave a goal kick !!

Newport’s passing was accurate and some good football pushed us back. Collins proved his qualities with a superb catch under the angle of bar and post and then stopped a ‘grubber’ on the line.

Dyers influence on the game was noticeable. Defensive duties had him clearing the area from a long ball into the box and then joining in an attack minutes later hammered a low shot on target that brought an exceptional ground save from the keeper.

Half Time 0-0

Eaton’s attacking flair forced a route through a tight defence with 49 minutes gone. His cross was intercepted and the ball cleared wide left. Elsom spotted the break and an excellent tackle on the edge of the box prevented a shot on goal.

Kelly and Elsom were under fire for a while as Newport stepped up the pressure but both were rock solid and won their respective battles.

Elsom climbed higher than the rest of players in the box to head a free kick out of the area. Johnson raced free and delivered an inch perfect cross for Snow to have a shot. Snow never got to the ball. A sliding tackle took him out. The freeick dropped on the spot but the keeper went through the bodies to make a catch.

Cane and Johnson had a good thing going on the left and good inter passing took us just outside the box. Johnson volleyed for goal but a defenders leg diverted the ball for a corner. Up went Ben Kelly but his header flew over the bar.

Newport picked up pace. Evans and Elsom had a lot to do to curb Newport’s left flank but with Collins in goal we felt confident we could keep a clean sheet.

The pace of the game was brisk. Tackles bordered the handbag stage and it was Elsom who caught the rough edge of a bustling forward suffering an elbow incident. The result later proved to be a broken nose. Elsom though played on to make a valuable contribution to a solid defence.

James Bergin came on to replace Ben Cane. Ryan Johnson’s flexibility was tested as he dropped to left back giving Bergin the forward position.

Dyer and Maddocks gained an edge in the middle of the park and with Bergin Kelly and Eaton eager to chase we put more pressure on Newport.

Newport’s keeper and their back four had a great understanding and we couldn’t break through for a clear shot. Dyer and Maddocks both had pops but again if it wasn’t a close miss it was under keeper control.

Mike Snow’s rough and tumble game came to an end on 69 minutes allowing Martin Smith to go one for one.

Back came Newport. A break on their right gave room for a shot and Collins showed a touch of class going low to take the ball clean on the post.

90 minutes gone and Dyer almost stole the points with a low 20 yarder but put the ball down the keeper’s throat.

The whistle went on a clean sheet.

Result 0-0.