WESSEX LEAGUE PREMIER DIVISION
SATURDAY 15TH APRIL 2017
BOURNEMOUTH 3 VERWOOD TOWN 2

Thankfully Harrison Harding made himself available for the job of donning the Keeper gloves. He probably wondered what he had let himself in for !!

In the first minute Poppies pumped the ball wide left. An instant cross into the box and bodies followed in. Harding forced passage and palmed the ball out wide. In it came again. Harding blocked the shot and Kimber's left boot did the rest.

We countered. Fisk went free and his cross from the bye line was beaten out by the keeper. Kelly tried to muscle his way in but good defending prevented an opportunity for a shot.

On 9 minutes we gave away a free kick 20 yards out. The ball was placed into the top corner giving Poppies a 0-1 lead.

Spectators had to endure a scrappy 20 minutes. We gave away the ball too often giving our defence more hard work than they should have had.

Ben Kelly back after illness, cut out a line ball and brought Warren into play. Warren turned inside and sent Beattie free on the right. A cross and Ryan Kelly stretched to divert goalwards. The keeper took the ball from under the bar.

The half closed with Poppies having a slight edge.

Half Time 0-1.

A shuffle in formation had a more attacking theme and almost paid off with 30 seconds gone when Beattie received a crossfield ball from Dyer. Beattie crossed into the box but the ball was headed clear before Fisk could reach it.

Poor defending on 78 minutes allowed a ball to drift into the box and a simple downward header slipped past Harding 0-2. Two minutes later another sloppy piece of defending let in a runner on the far post and a loose ball was slammed in from a couple of feet. 0-3.

This was now a test of pride and character. We had both.

Dyer hit a volley over the bar. Fisk had a good shot saved on the line and Fletcher went close with a searing effort.

On 87 minutes we won a free kick 20 yards out. Up stepped Ryan Kelly .. 1-3.

88 minutes Fisk went free and a low cross was hammered past the keeper by Ryan Kelly. 2-3.

We went for broke. Beattie put the ball over the bar. Fisk shot wide and Dyer's shot from the edge of the box although on target, hit bodies and was diverted for a corner.

Heads went up and this time it was a Bournemouth head winning the lottery.

The whistle went giving Poppies a victory that ensured their stay in the Premier Division for another season.

Result 2-3.