PRE-SEASON FRIENDLY
TUESDAY 16TH JULY 2019
MILFORD 0 VERWOOD TOWN 0

There wasn’t a testing period. Both sides went for a quick goal making it an open game from the whistle. . A Vint and Holmes move on 5 minutes was blocked by a defensive wall and the long ball clearance gave a taste of things to come.

Joe Coombs guesting for us was out quickly to hammer the ball wide right. Vint collected and cut in for goal. A left foot shot was safely gathered by the keeper.

We pushed on. Good football took us deep into the Milford third and Gray finished it with a left foot shot skipping past the post.

Maddocks stemmed an attack with a good tackle and sparked a counter knocking the ball wide for Nicolson. Nicolson went wide then delivered a cross bringing out a superb save from the keeper.

The Milford long ball game persisted but on the day Charlie Tilsted Ben Kelly and Sam Glatzel dominated the aerial battle. Joe Coombs provided safe hands between the sticks so we felt comfortable at the back.

17 minutes gone and despite several attacks on Milford’s goal we were still looking for the breakthrough goal. Milford’s confidence grew and for a spell threatened to grab the lead. Tilstead robbed a runner and a through ball found Nicolson who went free but put his shot over the bar.

Eaton went close with a run from the right and a shot that the keeper gathered on the post.

Half Time 0-0

On at half time …. Dean Evans Ollie Davies Josh Hall Mick Cowland Dan Laurent Joe Kimber Tyler Rutten. Remaining … Joe Coombs Owen Nicolson Chas Tilsted Ben Kelly.

4 minutes saw Tyler Rutten breaking free but copying the style of the first half by firing his shot over the bar.

Joe KImber split Milford’s right giving Davies space. A good run and pass inside left Josh Hall free. A shot and the keeper was there again to gather on the deck.

Mick Cowland used good feet to turn his marker. A chip and Rutten followed in to volley past the post.

It was frustrating. We should have had 3 or 4 at least but couldn’t finish.

The counters from Milford were always a threat but we curbed celebrations with some great defending.

Milford tired. We pushed on again. The keeper was brilliant. Shots tipped over the bar. Tipped past the post. Punched out from crosses and corners. He was the major difference in the closing minutes between a draw and defeat.

Result 0-0.