SYDENHAMS (WESSEX) LEAGUE DIVISION ONE
SATURDAY 12TH SEPTEMBER 2020
VERWOOD TOWN 2 NEWPORT 2

Smith was first to a loose ball with 4 minutes gone and a daisy cutter of a pass found Evans. A dip of the shoulder and Evans went clear of his marker. A pass inside the backs gave Vining a glimpse of goal but the keeper was out quickly to gather.

Newport countered with a long ball down their left but Hall was there to pick a pocket. Hall’s crossfield pass landed outside the box and Evans finished up with a strength test against a robust centre half. He won this one and released Butler with a square ball across the box but Butler’s shot was wayward.

The Newport counters were dangerous with two marauding wingers. Maher was fortunately on his toes commanding his box and tidying up stray high balls over the midfield.

Smith had a rocket of a shot whistle over the bar and Nicholson almost put us in front with an incisive run and shot but the ball finished up in the side netting.

11 minutes had lapsed when the ref decided he had a damaged muscle. Rob Beck raced on to locate it without luck. Off came the ref and the whistle changed lips.

The break put extra energy in the Newport team and for a while we were on the back foot. Elsom Watkins and Maher did exceptionally well in curbing the new found Newport surge and gradually won their individual battles. Smith and Maddocks then took over the middle with vision and quality passing.

We did everything right up to the area but lost the ability to convert our approach into goals.

15 minutes to go and Maher climbed high to claim a swirling ball. Maher’s kick landed just outside the Newport area but and even bigger kick to clear landed on the edge of our box creating a melee to clear. We didn’t do what was wanted and went behind 0-1.

We launched a series of attacks with Nicholson and Vining going close.

44 minutes gone and Vining’s cross into the box gave Evans a half chance. A clinical finish gave us a 1-1 score line at half time.

Half Time 1-1.

Watkins and Smith worked the ball out of our area following and aerial barrage. And we continued to press forward. Vining had a dipping shot cleared before making way for Zanin to have minutes.

Newport were first out of the traps from the re start. Maher gathered a long attempt and Elsom did well to come away with the ball forcing his way past two midfielders to hone in on Newport’s third. A pass wide found Zanin and a low cross into he box was volleyed by Butler. Varnish was taken off the post.

14 minutes Danvers took a rest giving Anderton a run.

A long clearance and we were suckered on the edge of our area when a half shot skipped into the air and looped into the net 1-2.

We were pushed back and for a short period Newport dominated. We had strong resilience though and slugged it out gradually forcing our way back on the attack.

18 minutes into the half Smith made way for Sims.

The game became feisty with Maddocks sharing personal information with the referee.

Nicholson went close with a left footer and Evans saw a rasper hit a wall of defenders. We pressed and had several efforts blocked in the box. It was a frustrating period as shots and headers never made the goal line.

We had a spell of time wasting tactics from Newport as they held on to the lead. Then, 45+2 and a corner zipped into the 6 yard box. Up went Elsom to power an unstoppable header into the roof of the net earning us a well deserved point.

Result 2-2