SYDENHAMS (WESSEX) LEAGUE DIVISION ONE
SATURDAY 16TH FEBRUARY 2019
LAVERSTOCK & FORD 1 VERWOOD TOWN 1

Treading the turf :-
Sam Thompson Dean Evans Mike Johnston Ben Kelly Chas Gajic Russ Dyer Josh Hall Charlie Heggan James Guthrie Joe Kimber Owen Nicholson

Gathering splinters :-
Sam Joy Andy Betteridge Dan Fawcett CJ Nwokolo George Richardson

Johnston was the first in action cutting out a left flank attack with a sliding tackle and dispossessing the player. A line ball found Hall, his through ball gave a half chance for Kimber but the keeper was more than equal to the shot. All of this within a couple of minutes of the whistle !

Ben Kelly’s return to the fold was a big plus when on 7 minutes he produced a powerful header to clear a high ball into the box.

Heggan and Dyer gradually got on top in midfield and Heggan’s early pass on 20 minutes split the Lavertock rear guard giving Guthrie a half chance to go through on goal. Good feet rounded the keeper and a nicely placed ball into the bottom corner put us ahead. 1-0.

A Nicholson shot minutes later whipped past the post as we pushed on.

Laverstock’s response was a flurry of attacks but with Kelly Gajic and Johnston on form backed by an impressive Thompson we cut out threat on goal.

Half Time 1-0

We started where we left off with an attack through Hall. Kimber picked up the pass and volleyed on goal. Lavertock’s keeper earned plaudits with a cracking save finger tipping the ball round the post. Dyer’s corner was hoofed clear.

We slackened pace and suffered by Laverstock upping energy levels. Thompson fisted one ball clear before Kelly blocked a 20 yarder. Johnston’s heading abilities were tested as Laverstock tried more launches into the area. We held firm.

On 59 minutes a melee in our box resulted in a shout for a penalty. It was awarded under strong protest but it counted. 1-1.

We then lost passing capability. Accuracy was at a premium as passes went astray creating more problems from the home side than we should have had.

Heggan suffered a bad injury on 72 minutes and had to come off. Sam Joy went one for one.

We briefly got back into attacking mode with a Dyer Hall move down the right. A cross into the box was met by Johnston’s left peg. The back fence still has the mark.

12 minutes left and Josh Hall gave way for George Richardson to make a come back.

3 minutes later it was the fresh legs of Joy and Richardson combing that almost brought a goal. Gajic brought the ball out of defence and threading a ball through midfield freed up Joy from close shackles. Joy slipped a telling pass to Richardson but the ball blazed high over the cross bar.

We looked tired and Laverstock outshone our fitness levels with a grandstand finish. Thompson wouldn’t be beaten though and produced a couple of good saves keeping the score board unchanged on the whistle.

Result 1-1