SYDENHAMS (WESSEX) LEAGUE DIVISION ONE
TUESDAY 8TH OCTOBER 2019
RINGWOOD TOWN 1 VERWOOD TOWN 2

Sam Danvers had to withdraw from the line up with a hamstring pull during warm up. Versatile Mick Cowland stepped up to the plate and did a great job helping to curb a Ringwood brisk right flank.

Both keepers were in action early, with teams in attacking mode. Ringwood’s keeper had slightly more to do than Chris Lynch but Ringwood’s counters always had danger written on them.

Davies was our main threat in the opening 15 minutes with good work down the left. Gray and Vint worked hard centrally but a blanket defence blocked area access.

We then suffered a period of poor passing and eased off. Ringwood benefitted and half way through the half went ahead from a break and cross into the box. Slack marking allowed a clear run on goal and a chip put Ringwood ahead 0-1.

We had a brief rally with Gray feeding Vint just on the edge of the box but Vint’s shot clipped the post and went dead.

We maintained pressure but Ringwood defend deep and worked hard to keep us out of the area.

Half Time 0-1.

Owen Nicolson and Nathan Gray gave way at half time for Pepe Smith and Ethan Maddocks to make a bow.

Ringwood enjoyed a higher % possession in the early stages and Lynch did well on a couple of breakthroughs to keep the score down.

Kelly and Gajic gradually overcame central threats. Cowland and Evans were finding space to impact down the line and Davies particularly was creating openings. Vint went close a couple of times with headers and produced a volley that skimmed the angle of bar and post.

Maddocks’ industry paid off half way through the half with a defence splitting pass finding Vint. It was a half chance but enough for Vint to slip the ball past an advancing keeper. 1-1

A minute later Vint was provider giving Smith a run on goal. The shot finished high and wide.

Hall and Dyer had mastered the middle but with 40 minutes gone of the half a counter finished with a good cross into our six yard box. Luckily an unchallenged header went over the bar.

2 minutes left. Davies split the defence and planted the ball on the penalty spot. A mad melee finished with Vint smashing the ball into the bottom corner .. 2-1.

Result 2-1.