WESSEX LEAGUE PREMIER DIVISION
SATURDAY 19TH NOVEMBER 2016
VERWOOD TOWN 2 ANDOVER TOWN 0

Harvey Elsom up top with Christer Warren ‘in the hole’. Yet another change of formation thrust upon Adie Arnold and Kris Anderton due to cry offs on Friday.

In stepped Max Fletcher for his debut in the first team squad, supported by Harrison Harding and Alex Eaton. Icon Kris Anderton held the other bench spot.

It was a very confident Elsom kicking off and within the first couple of minutes had defenders shuffling back with a direct run through the middle. Dropped unceremoniously the free kick skipped into the Andover area prompting a scuffle for the ball. Kimber hammered a low shot into the mix but after a pin ball machine look alike the ball was cleared high upfield.

It was a good opening spell producing a more confident approach than of late.

Andover defended well and created chances half way through the half with some good attacks from the flanks and some aerial activity bringing out the best in Donachy and Smith.

One of our better moves came with 6 minutes left of the half. Dyer won a strong tackle in the middle of the park and released Warren. Slick passing between Warren and Bergin opened up a gap. Bergin slid a pass for Atkinson to run on to and Atkinson’s left foot shot skipped past the full back but was gathered on the post by the keeper.

Half Time 0-0

Heavy rain greeted the re start making it a slippy surface.

Elsom had bedded in and intelligent movement linking with Warren was giving Andover’s defence more to worry about than in the first half.

Evans and Kelly were now in command of their jobs and able to join in on overlaps. Donachy and Smith stayed alert for the inevitable counter attacks but with Gerrard again in excellent form we looked solid at the back.

The Warren - Elsom combination paid off when Warren delivered a defence splitting pass to Elsom 12 yards out. Elsom placed the ball low to the keeper’s right. 1-0.

Atkinson made way for Eaton with 67 minutes gone in a straight positional change. Dyer almost made it two with the best shot of the game but the keeper made a fantastic save.

Elsom and Bergin worked the ball along the flank with Eaton switching it back to Bergin. A low cross on the edge of the area found Warren. Adie Arnold’s coaching on how to finish was the key. Warren’s swerving volley whipped past the keeper into the top corner. 2-0.

Max Fletcher had a brief introduction to the game with 7 minutes left replacing James Bergin.

Result 2-0