SYDENHAMS (WESSEX) LEAGUE DIVISION ONE
SATURDAY 4TH AUGUST 2018
WHITCHURCH UNITED 0 VERWOOD TOWN 1

A blistering hot day heralded our first game of the season. As usual we had a few missing on holiday but so did Whitchurch.

Both teams opened on a quick tempo despite the heat. We hit first with Captain Kimber leading the assault. His cross was followed up by Chilman whose header sped past the keeper kicking up the back of the net. Celebrations were short lived though as the linesman’s flag gave an offside, upheld by the ref.

Whitchurch hit back and a high cross into our box was comfortably taken by Tierney.

15 minutes on the clock and good pressure on the right by Cole forced a throw. Evans stepped up and dropped the ball into the corner of the box. Vining won the battle, sent his marker the wrong way and chipped the ball over a sprawling keeper. 1-0.

Chilman and Heggan worked the ball wide left with Chilman crossing into the box. Vining’s glancing header whistled past the post.

Whitchurch reply was a volley from just outside our area but Tierney remained untroubled as the ball headed high over the bar making its way to Reading.

A couple of minutes left of the half saw a couple of corners with O’Hare heading one over the bar and then hitting the keeper with a volley.

Half Time 1-0

Whitchurch used the slope to advantage hitting long balls down both flanks with the odd one high down the middle.

O’Hare and Joy were superb covering the launch with Evans and Mills commanding the flanks.

Heggan and Richardson continued working hard in the middle but Whitchurch bypassed them as often as they could keeping our back four extra busy.

Richardson came off for Head on 75 minutes and Gilham came on for Mills at 80 min.

Gilham’s anticipation of danger paid off with an interception but before making too much ground was felled. Joy hit the flank with the free kick and Cole followed in but skimmed the post.

Head and Heggan combined well to break through the middle but Whitchurch defence closed ranks preventing access. Another launch and Tierney yet again had to deal with the ‘Up ‘n Under’.

Tierney’s contribution was superb with good communication and excellent handling.

The team worked hard for each other and thoroughly deserved the three points.

Result 1-0