SYDENHAMS (WESSEX) LEAGUE DIVISION ONE
TUESDAY 3RD MARCH 2020
VERWOOD TOWN 3 FAWLEY AFC 1

Bend it like Butler is the new catch phrase. Easy to see where JK Rowling got the Quidditch swerve from. A stunning 30 yarder swerved and dipped a few times before eluding the keeper and securing three points late in the game.

We started well and despite pressure from Fawley to push us back, Dyer and Taylor held the middle of the park sparking counters.

Butler seemed on song and a great 25 yard volley whipped up the back of the net to put us ahead. 1-0. The goal was quickly followed by another as Nicholson swept home number two giving us a clear lead. 2-0.

Fawley proved very resilient. A counter halfway through the half had Cooper displaying his increasing confidence and with Kelly and Gajic controlling the central areas we looked solid.

Watkins and Hall shared full back spots and put in a shift giving overlapping opportunities. Vint benefitted from one Watkins opening and fired just over the bar.

Nace turned his marker close on the whistle and a good low delivery was almost turned in by Vint.

Half Time 2-0

Following the Follands second half we really needed to bed in and secure the lead. It wasn’t to be.

A concentration and effort lapse was evident for a while as Fawley pushed on. Defensively we coped generally but ‘De Ja Vue’ popped up as Fawley benefitted from laxity and put the score at 2-1.

Luckily we didn’t fold but rather picked up pace and determination. Nicholson rounded the back half way through the half and a great touch by the keeper kept the ball from Vint’s head.

Watkins cut out a threat on his flank as Fawley mixed attacking options and both Gajic and Kelly were over employed for a while as Fawley went for central pressure.

Cooper made a couple of quality saves as the game see sawed.

Then we had the 30 yarder that clinched three points.

Butler fastened on to a loose ball and hit a volley that dipped and swerved leaving the keeper stranded. 3-1.

It seemed a comfortable score line but Fawley must take credit for giving us an uncomfortable last few minutes as they pushed hard to reduce the deficit.

We coped with the onslaught and deserved the win.

Result 3-1