SYDENHAMS (WESSEX) LEAGUE DIVISION ONE
SATURDAY 20TH APRIL 2019
VERWOOD TOWN 1 AMESBURY TOWN 0

Last game of the season and a championship trophy hanging on the result. Amesbury needed to win to be 100% secure as Division 1 champions. For us, pride.

Amesbury's opening spell was to be expected and within three minutes had stormed our defence but met with a strong resilience particularly by Lynch whose handling throughout the game was superb.

Our counters were sharp but we couldn't crack Amesbury's strong defensive wall. One attack saw Gray swivel past his marker, a crossfield pass to Eaton and although Eaton's shot was on target a defender on the line headed clear. Kelly followed up and put a gem of a cross onto the far post but again ~Amesbury's defensive shield held firm.

An end to end flurry started on 11 minutes with Lynch out to save at feet. 12 minutes Gray's shot was blocked by the centre half and before Nicolson could reach the rebound he was dropped by a fierce tackle. The FK was headed clear and we faced a very quick counter rescued by Heggan tracking back to tackle.

Cowland won a challenge near the flag and his line ball found Hall. Hall's pass was a peach sending Davies free on the left. A crossfield pass reached Nicolson but so did the Amesbury full back and on came Jon Brewer to administer treatment.

The game continued to be knife edge and Davies almost put us ahead when he dummied his marker and delivered a volley that the keeper did exceptionally well to reach and hold.

Dyer, having a great game at right back picked a runner's pocket and a line ball found Eaton. A surge in pace and Eaton went clear to put a low cross into the box. A long Amesbury leg cleared the danger.

Half Time 0-0

A frantic first couple of minutes heralded the start of the second half. A long ball from Amesbury's backs dropped on the edge of our box. Kelly muscled his way to win the header. Amesbury's possession had increased and they used their flanks more in an effort to break our defence. Cowland was exceptional on the day as was Skipper Dyer.

Dyer's strength on the ball with 9 minutes gone gave him an opportunity to go free of his opponent and a pass through Amesbury's midfield found Hall. Hall's pass, low to Davies, beat the full backs attempt to intercept and Davies raced down the flank. The full back followed up by bundling Davies and the ball over the dead ball line. Heggan's corner was punched clear by the keeper.

Back came Amesbury. A neat move in the middle of the park resulted in melee on the edge of our box. The ref decided to give a free kick for a Heggan foul. Lynch did the business again.

Half way through the half Lynch took a high ball and launched a counter. Davies almost got away but a sliding tackle stopped his run. Heggan's free kick was hoofed high and wide by Amesbury defenders.

The game continued end to end with both keepers busy.

Then 79 minutes gone and Heggan stepped up to take a free kick after Nicolson had been pulled down. A floater onto the spot and Gajic out jumped everyone to steer the ball low past the keeper 1-0.

Amesbury pushed everyone up. Eaton almost got away with a race against backs after a long clearance but the keeper was out quickly to hoof the ball back into Lynch territory.

Niggly tackles and frustration crept in during the last few minutes but we had won three points on the whistle with a gritty and great team performance.

Result 1-0.