WESSEX LEAGUE PREMIER DIVISION
SATURDAY 8TH OCTOBER 2016
HORNDEAN 2 VERWOOD TOWN 0

Liam Donachy’s return to the squad was welcomed and timely. Ben Kelly and Harvey Elsom couldn’t make the fixture so our central pairing of Donachy and Phelps was Déjà vu.

We expected a Horndean onslaught at the start and got it. Although pre match instructions had catered for it we were lax in picking up a long ball down their left and a cross shot from the edge of the area was deflected for a corner. The ball bounced around before a Donachy boot cleared the danger. It was an early lesson.

Horndean maintained pressure. We were slow to the ball and suffered laxity in the 9th minute when a set piece from a free kick was followed in and a bullet header whipped past Collins to put the home team ahead. 0-1.

It took us time to get into the game and the first signs of recovery came half way through the half. Horndean’s movement of the ball gave them the edge in possession but Warren and Dyer got to grips with central movement and we produced counters.

Dyer to Smith on to Johnson and a low cross was diverted for a corner. Up came Donachy but his header went over the bar.

Back bounced Horndean and Collins won a race to the ball. Collins punted the ball back into Horndean’s third and Eaton forced a corner. The ball was cleared to the edge of the box. Evans stormed in to cross but was floored. Evans took the free kick. Bodies blocked Kelly’s shot and the ball bounced free. A big boot and we got caught too far up field. Phelps tracked back but a squared back ball to the edge of the box found a runner and a simple accurate volley put Horndean in the driving seat. 0-2.

It was a big disappointment to get caught yet again on the break and suffer the consequences.

We rallied for a spell with Smith and Dyer prominent in pushing forward. Kelly did well to chase down but again looked like the Lone Ranger.

Phelps and Cane took the sting out of a couple of attack near the end of the half. A Phelps pass down the line to Eaton opened up an opportunity but Smith’s shot from the edge of the box went high and wide. On the whistle a corner was headed over our bar leaving us to go in at the wrong end of the score line.

Half Time 0-2

The game continued where it left off with Smith picking up a Johnson pass and firing a great shot for goal that was beaten off the line by the full back.

A high ball into our defence had runners making ground. The half time talk had its affect. We had bodies back to cover the break and Donachy wellied the ball out wide right. Eaton took up a counter attack and this time ghosted round the full back to cross low onto the penalty spot. Kerlly bustled through but the keeper stopped the ball on the line.

Then it was Collins turn to show quality with a fine catch high in the box.

Our game stepped up in pace and we were now seeing more of the ball. Warren’s through ball found Johnson. A dipping cross into the box was turned wide by an inrushing Eaton.

57 minutes and after a high level touch line meeting between Adie Arnold and Kris Anderton the shape of the side changed with Ryan Johnson making way for James Bergin to come on.

A coupe of changes in positions and we pushed on. Warren’s searching ball found Kelly. A deft flick and Kelly rounded his marker. His volley though wasn’t deft and finished up in the trees at the back of the goal.

Eaton was enjoying a bit of space on the right as Evans backed up to take responsibility of crosses from an angled spot on the edge of the area.

Smith had one header diverted for a corner but Donachy put the inswinger over the bar.

We were showing better control and should have reduced arrears when Bergin burst through on the left but hit the side netting.

67 minutes Maddocks came on for Ben Cane to again go for broke. Three at the back four in mid and three up front.

Phelps earned another yellow card but was rock solid alongside Donachy. Evans swept working the long ball dangers and was instrumental in setting up a great chance for Eaton. A move wide right found space. Eaton jinked inside and squared for Kelly. A good turn and lay back gave space for a Warren effort. Unfortunately as with the rest of our shots on the day it went high and wide.

We almost gave away a goal with ten minutes left when a runner on the left squirmed through an Evans and Donachy combined tackle but Phelps made a decisive tackle taking the ball in a sliding tackle. It resulted in a corner. Up went Collins to make an excellent catch.

We had a couple of opportunities towards the end of the game but couldn’t find the net.

Result 0-2