SYDENHAMS (WESSEX) LEAGUE DIVISION ONE
SATURDAY 21ST SEPTEMBER 2019
VERWOOD TOWN 1 DOWNTON 3

Haigh pulled off a flying save to stop Downton going ahead on 6 minutes. Downton’s pressure from the kick off was with pace and good movement. Their corner on 9 minutes was headed away by Gajic and then Danvers cleared a shot from the edge of the area. A minute later it was Nicolson’s turn to block and clear.

It took time to settle and the first flash of response came through Nicolson intercepting a line ball and freeing up Hall in the middle with a 30 yard pass. Hall turned and fired in a volley but the keeper made a clean catch.

Vint lobbed the keeper on 21 minutes and it took a remarkable flying finger tip save to deny Vint a goal.

Downton was clinical in a break on 31 minutes racing free and scoring from the edge of the 6 yard box. 0-1.

We gained possession from a midfield tussle and a move between Maddocks Hall and Rutten finished on the edge of the area with Rutten's shot hitting a defensive wall. A long clearance dropped on the edge of our box and Gajic was there to edge a runner off the ball and gaining a dead ball.

The game flowed end to end with Downton looking the more dangerous of the sides.

Half Time 0-1.

5 minutes and we were level. Davies rounded his marker and a spot on pass found Vint. Vint shouldered off a strong tackle and rounded the keeper to put the ball in the back of the net 1-1.

On 9 minutes Cowland came on for Rutten.

We were enjoying a lot more possession but Downton were dangerous on the break. Kelly and Gajic did well to curb central attacks and as play switched to flanks both Danvers and Nicolson were fully employed but on top.

23 minutes into the half Cowland and Danvers worked the flank and Cowland finished the move with a ball wide right for Davies. A defensive wall blocked the run. A long clearance and a runner made it 1-2 from the counter.

Maddocks cross on 31 minutes caused a flap in the Downton area and resulted in the keeper palming the ball. Dyer challenged and was floored. Penalty. Up stepped Gajic but the normal result of a goal was denied as the ball went high over the bar.

Kelly needed treatment with10 minutes left and had to yield to Physio's demands of being substituted. On came Stuttard. 5 minutes later Maddocks came off for Crotty.

Downton pushed on with pressure and 45+1 a penalty judgment from a tackle in our box gave an end score line of 1-3.

Result 1-3.