SYDENHAMS (WESSEX) LEAGUE DIVISION ONE
SATURDAY 9TH MARCH 2019
VERWOOD TOWN 1 ANDOVER TOWN 0

A succession of missed opportunities and pushing forward led thoughts of going behind to a snatched counter goal. We survived.

Davies had the first shot after three minutes but straight at the keeper. Two minutes later a long throw by Evans caused confusion in Andover’s box but before Aston could get a toe in, the ball was hoofed clear.

Then a counter from Andover almost put them ahead. A long central ball was well controlled just outside the box. The resultant shot was on target but an alert Lynch punched it out for a corner. An inswinger wasn’t covered on the far post so a clear shot fell to a marauder. Luckily it went wide.

Kimber and Davies worked the left flank and from one move Kimber’s shot was headed off the line. Davies followed in but hit his volley straight at the keeper.

Gajic headed over the bar from a Dyer free kick and Aston buried a shot into the trees.

Andover’s long clearances always had a touch of threat. Luckily the central pairing of Kelly and Gajic was equal to any problems and with a confident back up on the flanks of Evans and Cowland we looked solid.

Dyer and Heggan steered the game working central and flank areas. Kimber almost broke free but a long leg dropped him on the edge of the box. Up stepped Dyer to plant the ball in Wyvale Nurseries.

Davies swapped flanks with Aston giving Andover’s backs something different to worry about but we still couldn’t put the ball in the net.

Five minutes to go of the half and Davies rounded the back to hammer a shot on goal. The keeper swallow dived and turned the ball round the post. In came the corner. A partly topped clearance fell to Kimber. Another rocket shot went high and wide.

Half Time 0-0

Eaton came on for Aston at the start of the second half on a one for one.

Only three minutes had elapsed when Davies flicked the ball over midfield for Gray. Good feet and Gray worked the ball into the box. A shot across the keeper hit a defender on the line and was cleared.

Evans’ overlapping runs gave more impetus to attack but yet again the ball constantly went wide of goal. Evans took it upon himself on fifty four minutes but followed the day’s trait and slammed the ball high over the bar,

Then Andover stepped up their energy levels and pushed on. Help for them was a second yellow for Heggan and our midfield found itself one down. Twenty One minutes left on the clock and Josh Hall was introduced for fresh legs. It was now our defence seeing more of the ball. Kelly pulled off two tremendous tackles in the box to stop Lynch burning his gloves, and Gajic was a tower of strength winning most of the threaded balls through the middle.

Hall’s crossfield ball found Davies who went close with a volley. Eaton then fired into the side netting with four minutes left.

Two minutes to go we pushed forward. A slip by the Andover backs let in Gray for a run on goal. Out came the keeper. Gray’s cool and calm finish put the ball into the corner of the net 1-0. Andover hit back immediately and almost leveled the score. Lynch came out to punch clear a high cross. A determined Andover midfield won it back and a tremendous effort flew over Lynch dropping into the corner of the net but Kelly won the plaudits back pedaling to head off the line.

Result 1-0.