WESSEX LEAGUE PREMIER DIVISION
SATURDAY 7TH JANUARY 2017
MONEYFIELDS 3 VERWOOD TOWN 0

Ken Vaughan became our tenth goalkeeper this season to don the gloves. It was a major decision for him to pitch in against top of the division Moneyfields. Therapy is being discussed.

Only a very slim squad was available for the game so Adie Arnold joined Matt Lusted and Andy Hardiman on the bench.

Moneyfields went on attack from the whistle. Donachy read the danger and cut out the threat with strong tackle on the edge of the box.

A minute later a run down the right finished with a low cross that was flicked on just past the post. It was a few torrid minutes before we settled and the Dyer/Warren combination began to tick.

Warren’s ball wide found Bergin and a good run down the left finished with a cross taken under the bar by the keeper.

Brown met a corner with a powerful header as we gradually got into the game. The keeper flicked the ball over the bar. In came a high ball causing a scramble in the box. A Moneyfields’ boot cleared the danger.

Good accurate passing was a feature of the home side and we were gradually forced back again.

Vaughan raced out to meet a long ball but slipped letting in a runner. Donachy cut across and whipped the ball off toes.

Brown powered through a couple of tackles but the Moneyfields’ defence was impenetrable at this stage. Bergin and Atkinson had their runs curtailed by the backs as we tried to break the deadlock.

Smith’s defending gave us added strength in keeping the home side at bay. Smith then almost got on the score sheet when joining the attack for a corner. An acrobatic scissor kick almost paid off but the ball whistled wide.

A snap attack gave room for a Moneyfield shot but Vaughan’s low save on the post kept the scoreboard blank.

10 minutes left of the half and our back four was breached with a low cross from the left and a toe poke in the box put Moneyfields ahead. 0-1.

We rallied and Anderton put Atkinson free on the right with five minutes to go. Atkinson went past his marker and whipped a low cross into the penalty area. Brown got a toe it but the ball went wide.

Half Time 0-1

Warren put a classic pass through for Brown to have a shot but defenders deflected the ball for a corner. Donachy went highest and won the header. The ball was kicked off the line for another corner. This time Moneyfields keeper punched it clear.

Moneyfields reply took them down the right and a ball wide gave space for a run on goal. Donachy cut across to make a great tackle. The ball spun free and Donachy again was on hand to block a shot on goal.

Moneyfields maintained their possession and pushed us back. A break gave space for a shot from the right but Vaughan did brilliantly to palm the ball wide.

Kelly dominated his flank and found time to keep Bergin fed on the left. One attack had Bergin rounding his marker and chipping in a cross. Brown turned the ball back for Dyer to blast for goal. The keeper got in the way.

Evans was getting space and created several openings for Atkinson and Brown. The home defence though was as tight as a drum and we couldn’t break it down.

55 minutes and we were penalized for a lapse in concentration. A pass along the edge of the area went unattended and a low volley gave Vaughan no chance. 0-2 It put Moneyfields in a more comfortable position but we went for broke.

Anderton won a fierce tackle in the middle of the park and the ball spun over the backs. Bergin ran free to put the ball in the net but celebrations were short lived when the ref indicated he had whistled for a foul. Dyer floated the ball into the box but it was Moneyfields’ heads connecting.

Then a blow. Evans was floored in a clash on the ball and had to be subbed. On came Matt Lusted taking up Atkinson’s right flank role with Aaron dropping back into right back spot.

Atkinson’s pace helped minutes later when a break looked to be free on goal. Atkinson cut across taking the ball off toes.

80 minutes Warren worked the ball wide left and Bergin had a shot blocked. Dyer split defenders with a through ball but Lusted couldn’t reach it before it rolled into dead.

We pushed on. Some tired legs were evident and with only 3 minutes left a deep cross was planted past Vaughan to give a better score than the game deserved.

Result 0-3.