SYDENHAMS LEAGUE (WESSEX) DIVISION ONE
SATURDAY 2nd SEPTEMBER 2017
WHITCHURCH UNITED 3 VERWOOD TOWN 1

The proposed team for this fixture was ravaged the night before the game with absences due to injuries and work requirements. Nevertheless we had a team that was equipped to provide good competition to the home side and looking for 3 points.

Road delays caused late arrival for 6 players but we were all changed and ready just before the kick off.

A corner in the first minute was palmed away by Horton and a follow up shot was taken down by Smith and fed to Fletcher. A run down our left, a deep cross and Fisk raced in but to shoot wide.

This opening spell was a forerunner to an end to end game but with an edge on play being ours.

Kelly looped a ball over the keeper and watched it graze the bar. Meyer was inches short of turning the ball past the keeper from a Fisk cross and in the 10th minute a corner dropped into a packed box but close enough for Ballard to volley in giving us the lead. 1-0.

2 minutes later we allowed space and time for a low shot to creep into the bottom corner 1-1.

We continued pushing forward with the occasional flurry from Whitchurch. Browning was settling well into the central area but it was Dyer catching the eye with a stamina driven display.

Anderton and Ballard made a good pairing but it was obvious Anderton's time on the pitch would be short lived because of ankle injuries. Meyer meanwhile had to be subbed because of injury giving Hockey a run up front.

Half Time 1-1

Then came an inexplicable change to discipline. We simply lost it. 49 minutes a long punt bounced over our back four for a runner to enjoy space and a goal. 1-2.

Anderton had to come off on 60 minutes with Callum Ormirod coming into mid field. Another shuffle in the back was needed and we settled back to try and emulate our first half display. Simply we didn't have it in the team.

76 minutes another high and long ball fell nicely for a runner. 1-3.

Result 1-3