SYDENHAMS LEAGUE (WESSEX) DIVISION ONE
SATURDAY 2nd DECEMBER 2017
VERWOOD TOWN 0 HYTHE & DIBDEN 2

A slice of good luck for Hythe & Dibden occurred as early as the first minute. A cross from the right dropped in the box. Richardson had it covered and went to clear. The ball hit an attacker and skipped along the deck into the net. 0-1 and 50 seconds gone!!

We rallied but not after another launch into our box was volleyed and on target. This time Haigh showed safe hands and gave us a breather.

Hythe & Dibden continued their offensive. James curbed an over enthusiastic right flank and Browning got under a couple of missiles heading for the penalty spot.

Frost rallied the fight back with a good ball finding Richardson in the box. Richardson chested down but too heavily and the ball finished in the keeper’s hands.

Gale did well tracking back to retrieve the ball but got floored by an over zealous tackle. It was five minutes later that he was able to continue.

Ballard won an aerial combat and good feet took him through midfield. A ball wide found Guthrie. Guthrie’s volley was beaten out. A half clearance was collected by Dyer. His left flank cross flew across the box with no one close enough to turn it past the keeper. It was a frustrating spell.

A couple of minutes left and Webber carried the ball past two defenders. A cross shot was cleared. The ball caught us too far up field and we suffered the consequences as two runners went unchecked, 0-2.

Half Time 0-2

Frost opened the second half exchanges and with only 30 seconds on the clock coasted past defenders to hammer a shot at goal. It flew over the bar. Kimber followed suit with a volley over the bar a minute later as we pushed forward.

Guthrie’s class took him past his marker and a tussle ensued. Guthrie’s tenacity cost him a yellow.

5 minutes later another handbag job resulted in Ballard having verbal’s. A red card this time leaving us with ten men and a third of the game to go.

Hythe & Dibden immediately attacked working through mid field and a rasping volley rattled our bar.

We decided to go for broke. Gale’s ankle injury wasn’t helping so O’Hare came on for Gale and minutes later Manley came on for Webber.

The game became scrappy. Time wasting cost Hythe & Dibden keeper a yellow and the game deteriorated with petty stoppages.

Guthrie hit the side netting and Dyer suffered disappointment watching a 25 yarder skim the bar.

Hythe & Dibden defended their area well in the closing minutes making sure any ball in the box didn’t loiter.

Richardson’s shot in the dying seconds flew just wide of the upright.

Result 0-2.