WESSEX LEAGUE DIVISION ONE
TUESDAY 17TH AUGUST 2021
NEW MILTON TOWN 2 VERWOOD TOWN 1

It was an end to end start and on two minutes hand bags flourished as both teams battled for the ball.

NM almost claimed first blood as an attack down their left opened up space and a rising shot clipped Maher’s bar.

NM’s pressing was taking effect. We were closed down quickly, denying space. We didn’t have the same rhythm as last two games and gave the ball away too easily.

NM enjoyed a higher percentage of play keeping us pegged in our half. The pressure though was well handled by Burt and Browning. Watkins excelled and Hancox was his steady self.

NM snapped and harried and half way through the half broke through to slide the ball past Maher. 0-1.

Gray and Nicolson had come close to scoring from counters but on the night couldn’t get the ball past a very good keeper.

Hall and Guthrie gradually put their stamp on mid field sparking a few attacks. NM’s defence though stood firm and we finished the half one down.

Half Time 0-1.

We started the second half well. Butler had a volley blocked in the box and Guthrie put one over the bar from close in. Hall battled hard winning more tackles and we pushed forward.

Vining almost pinched the ball off the keeper’s toes following a pass back but the keeper escaped with a sliced clearance.

NM found their legs again and the game evened out.

Nicolson came off for Meddeeh and shortly after Dickensen came on for Vining. It meant a shuffle of the pack and a slightly different formation.

NM got the rub of the green with a penalty award on 33 minutes. There was no mistake 1-2.

We pushed forward. Dickensen was the architect of a right flank move with Meddeh finishing off with a deep cross. Butler was inches short in his climb to connect. We grabbed possession and pushed on. Butler had a shot saved followed by Gray hitting a volley just wide.

NM’s game time came into professionalism…but it worked. The game was fast and furious with skirmishes here and there but at the whistle it was New Milton leaving the pitch with 3 points.

Result 1-2.