FA VASE
SATURDAY 9TH SEPTEMBER 2017
UNITED SERVICES PORTSMOUTH 2 VERWOOD TOWN 1 (After Extra-Time)

45 seconds left to play in this Vase fixture and leading 1-0. A free kick on the edge of our area floated into the box and a glancing header sped past Ben Daniels to take the game into extra time.

3 minutes left of the 120 minutes and naivety + inexperience allowed a scramble in the box and a toe poke put the ball into the bottom corner sending us out of the competition.

We had performed well throughout the game and as usual squandered opportunities. Play was only a minute old when we won a corner and Kelly who had his back to goal cleverly flicked the ball over a defender for Warren to shoot from a narrow angle. The keeper did well to deflect the shot. The ball fell for O’Hare to try his luck and although on target a defender managed to get in the way and the ball was cleared.

USP’s reaction was instant and within a couple of minutes forced us to retreat. A cross onto the far post was headed in but luckily the linesman flagged for offside.

The game continued to produce good open football with both sides committed to attack.

Davis and Fisk went close but we still couldn’t put the ball in the net. Just on half time Daniels was active producing a stunning save at the foot of the post, preventing USP going in at half time ahead.

Half Time 0-0.

We countered a USP move in our third with a break on the right. Fisk did well to round his marker forcing a corner. Dyer planted the ball on Kelly’s head and we went ahead 1-0.

USP hit back straight away and Setters alongside Dyer did well to help stem central attacks.

Jack Smith was having a great game at right back and alongside O’Hare Warren and Anderton managed to keep a flurry of attacks at bay. Daniels gave confidence with good hands.

Hockey came on for Fisk with 62 minutes on the clock and almost made a dream substitution with a break through the middle but was defeated by the keeper diving at feet.

A number of other opportunities arose in the half with Jamie Webber almost notching his first goal in the vase with an angled shot whistling just wide of the foot of the post.

USP urged on by their bench managed to draw level and then win the game in extra time.

Result 1-2