SYDENHAMS LEAGUE (WESSEX) DIVISION ONE
SATURDAY 25th NOVEMBER 2017
VERWOOD TOWN 0 NEW MILTON TOWN 1

For the first twenty minutes it was Ragged Rovers versus New Milton Town. Passing movement and any claim to the ball was none existent. New Milton had the desire and went close a couple of times in the opening stages and had it not been for a great save by Haigh would have gone in front in the 8th minute.

Because of changes the formation had to settle. Guthrie and Davies had the first crack at New Milton’s defence and Guthrie’s switch to the left and releasing Davies just outside the box almost paid off as Davies swept the ball for the bottom corner but was disappointed to see the keeper save at the foot of the post.

Back came NM. O’Hare won a heading duel and Watkins collected to release Guthrie. A good run finished with a shot on goal but cleared off the line Cape Canaveral style.

Dyer had a crack minutes later but again the keeper did well to hold the ball under the bar.

It was end to end stuff and James was over employed at one point as a succession of attacks on their left brought out the need for extra vigilance.

On the half time whistle Haskell won a header in the box but Manley’s follow up was palmed out for a corner. Again a size twelve boot cleared the box.

Half Time 0-0

Saxby had been given a run just before the half time whistle coming on for Joe Manley. Saxby got chalk on his boots and made one break down the right clipping the ball into the box. Haskell rose above defenders but put the ball wide of the angle.

Ron Frost had joined the fray at the start of the second half giving Ryan Watkins a breather. Frosts first encounter was to clear a high ball on the edge of the box and then win a heading game against a brisk centre forward.

George Richardson was having one of his better games putting energy into tackles but which earned him a yellow.

We lapsed concentration with 60 minutes gone and let in a runner on the right. An excellent shot gave Haigh no chance 0-1.

It gave rise for more effort and unlike previous games we earned our stripes with a touch of tenacity and should have drawn level in the 83rd minute when after a long spell of attacking football forced the keeper to try and palm clear. The ball spun into the net but the ref decided in the melee there had been an ‘infringement’. No goal.

A minute to go. Guthrie dropped a shoulder, sent his man the wrong way and slid a pass along the edge of the box to Saxby. The keeper deflected the ball for a corner.

That size twelve boot again cleared the area.

Result 0-1.