SYDENHAMS (WESSEX) LEAGUE DIVISION ONE
TUESDAY 6TH AUGUST 2019
VERWOOD TOWN 0 ANDOVER NEW STREET 2

A minute gone and Andover produced the first attack of the game down their left. A shot from the corner of the box whistled wide. Thompson fed the dead ball kick to Kelly, on to Davies and we had a counter with Davies’ cross being booted clear.

Sammy Glatzel won a high ball into our half and his galloping run finished in ANS third. A cross field pass found Nicolson. Two defenders were on Nicolson like a rash. The ball spun free and a few seconds later Kelly had to use his experience to close down a runner and intercept a line ball.

15 minutes on the clock saw Thompson pull off a good save when a dipping cross threatened to creep under the bar. From his throw Maddocks split the midfied with a pass to Gray. Gray threaded a pass to Vint. Vint spun off his marker but delivered his shot straight at the keeper.

There was no slackening of pace. Andover’s energy and pressure went unabated. Dyer blocked a threat on their left and then Gajic rose high to head clear a dipping cross.

ANS strung a great move together on their left. The ball was cut back from the dead ball line. An unmarked runner hammered the ball low past Thompson 0-1.

Vint fed Davies on the left. Davies swept in and hammered an angled shot from the edge of the box heading for the top corner. A good keeper flipped the ball over the bar. The corner was punched clear and created a swift counter. Dyer cut out the threat.

Vint went close with 7 minutes left but the keeper saved with feet.

Half Time 0-1.

The pace of the game remained. Dyer was the first to have a long distance crack at goal but shot wide. Back came ANS. Glatzel stepped in to stop a runner and slipping the ball down the line to Davies gave opportunity for a swift counter. Davies cut in and released Vint. ANS defenders closed into a wall so Davies’ shot hit bodies and bounced back for Gray to have a crack. The ball finished in the trees.

Good flowing football continued and if this quality is to be the benchmark for the season it will be a great advert for the division.

We had the edge for a period but couldn’t put the ball in the net. It was a mix of poor finishing and a resilient defensive barrier thrown up by Andover. A minute to go of normal time and we got punished for pushing up too far in an attempt to level scores. A clearance out of Andover’s defence fell nicely for a runner to go free and slip the ball past an advancing Thompson. 0-2.

It was an enjoyable game but from our perspective one that should have earned at least a point.

Result 0-2.