SYDENHAMS (WESSEX) LEAGUE DIVISION ONE
SATURDAY 24TH AUGUST 2019
VERWOOD TOWN 1 BEMERTON HEATH HARLEQUINS 6

A game best forgotten, unless you was a Bemerton supporter. It took Bem only a minute and a half to expose a dopey defence to go ahead. Immediately from the kick off the ball was in our box and had it not been for Zach Coelho’s goal line clearance we would have been behind in 15 seconds. We didn’t have time to ‘breathe again’ as the ball was whipped across the area and we went behind 0-1.

The onslaught continued. We were second best for the ball and couldn't match the intensity in these early stages of Bemerton's attacks.

We had a few moments of hope with attacks down the flanks but couldn't get past the defensive wall. The ball was pumped back up into our half from clearances and Coelho and Tilsted were heavily involved in heading duels whilst Kelly and Dyer did well to keep flank players at bay.

Considering a blistering heat the players maintained a fast pace. We got back into the game a little bit with 10 minutes of the half left with a Kelly ball down the line for Davies to link up with Maddocks and Rutten. Rutten finished the move with a shot on target but not a threat to a good keeper.

A minute later a quick counter down their right, a low ball and an unmarked runner tapped in Bemerton's second goal.

Half Time 0-2

On came Manny Dare and Jack Stuttard at the start of the half replacing Tyler Rutten and Josh Hall

6 minutes gone and Dyer took the ball off toes in the 6 yard box. A cool head and a good ball wide gave us a counter. Nicolson cut in from the line and A left foot volley was steered into the top corner 1-2.

For some inexplicable reason we went back to giving Bemerton ground and once again found ourselves defending.

Coelho won a couple of headers and Kelly doubled up as a centre half as balls dropped into our area.

23 minutes a low cross and the ball touched past Haigh. No one was there to block. 1-3.

27 minutes, a corner, no one to challenge and Haigh picked up No. 4 from the back of the net.

We had a rush of blood for 10 minutes in which Maddocks put Nicolson through but the keeper pounced clawing the ball down but spilling it. A quick double save pre vented Stuttard from putting a finishing touch.

8 minutes left we gave space and time for Bemerton's 5th. On 43 a long ball clearance from Bemerton's defence was caught on the volley in our box and a brilliant finish made it 1-6.

Result 1-6