WESSEX LEAGUE PREMIER DIVISION
SATURDAY 26TH NOVEMBER 2016
ALRESFORD TOWN 3 VERWOOD TOWN 0

Russ Dyer had to miss this one so his mid field role went to ‘Manny’ Dare. The versatile Harvey Elsom joined Christy Warren in mid field leaving James Bergin and Joe Kimber wide with Charlie Gilbert up top.

Tom Jackson made a welcome return between the sticks after his recovery from broken fingers caused in a collision in our 7thth September fixture against Amesbury.

Dean Evans Liam Donachy Martin Smith and Ben Kelly made up the back four.

On the bench we had Max Fletcher Aaron Atkinson and Kris Anderton.

We expected and got a brisk opening few minutes. Alresford used their flank players to get behind our back four but Evans and Kelly covered well and we had a good open game emerging as Elsom and Warren took charge in the middle.

Kelly working well with Bergin countered one attack with a line ball. Bergin flicked on to Kimber on to Warren, back to Kimber and a shot on target made the keeper show his qualities with a fine save low on the post.

Alresford switched attacking options giving Donachy and Smith a lot to do in the middle.

Tom Jackson then became over active as we slipped in concentration and a scramble in the box finished with the ball in the net 0-1.

Half Time 0-1

Aaron Atkinson came on for Manny Dare on 52 minutes. A shuffle of the pack had Joe Kimber dropping into mid field with Atkinson taking up one of his favoured positions, wide right.

4 minutes into the half and an Evans clearance fell to Warren. Kimber and Gilbert combined from Warrens threaded pass and Gilbert’s shot brought out a brilliant save from the keeper.

Atkinson benefitted from another Warren chip and a mazy run finished with the ball in the side netting. It was a much more spirited performance early in the second half.

Bergin’s shot on 56 minutes had the keeper scrambling but the ball was kicked off the line and cleared up field. Smith won an arial battle sending the ball wide for Kimber as we carried the game to Alresford. Atkinson slammed a shot into bodies but agonized as it was scrambled away.

Alresford’s spirit was on show with a fight back to take control again and on 66 minutes a corner dropped in the six yard box and blasted past Jackson to make it 0-2.

A couple of minutes later, James Bergin came off to give Max Fletcher a run up front.

Then our injury malaise struck again. Smith came off with a hamstring pull and dead leg. Harvey Elsom dropped into the back four. Kris Anderton came on in a central role.

Evans was now limping heavily carrying a bad foot injury and Liam Donachy soldiered on with a back problem after falling heavily clearing a header in the box.

With 10 minutes left we allowed a ball to roll free in the area and had to suffer a third goal whipping past Jackson. 0-3.

We had a couple of chances towards the end of the game but couldn’t reduce arrears.

Result 0-3.