WESSEX LEAGUE DIVISION ONE
SATURDAY 21ST AUGUST 2021
VERWOOD TOWN 1 FOLLAND SPORTS 5

Follands came, saw and conquered. It was that simple. We had nothing to offer on a day that needed some bottle after our defeat at the hands of New Milton.

Energy and a winning mentality deserted us on the day.

As early as the first minute we had to back pedal as Follands pushed us back. Watkins blocked one run on his flank and Maher was in action early with good hands taking a high cross in the box.

Burt blocked a runner on the edge of the area giving away a free kick. Kelly was on hand to steer the ball away from danger. Cooper and Hall picked up the running and a line ball found Meddah. A good cross was just missed by Gray but in steamed Vining to plant the ball firmly past the keeper. 1-0.

Follands hit back straight away. It was a good job Watkins wasn’t part of the lethargic element. Cutting out the danger with a hard tackle Watkins cut inside and released Cooper. A ball wide right was intercepted and a high ball sailed over defence. A runner went free on goal and a rising shot looked like leveling the score but a diving Maher took a clean catch.

28 minutes on the clock and we managed another attack. Cooper released Vining. A tremendous volley hit the bar and bounced out. The ball should have been followed in but we stood like the Terracotta Army and allowed space for an easy clearance.

It was the spark that gave Follands a major lift. The clearance landed for a runner who managed to wriggle into the box. We closed him down but slight contact was enough as he did a Tom Daly. The resultant penalty leveled the score line.. 1-1.

Half Time 1-1

We had a first minute of hope as Butler and Vining worked the ball into space for Hall to fire a shot that inched past the post.

That was it. Deterioration set in. A quick counter split us wide open ..1-2.

Gray hit the bar from a Nicholson cross before a long ball released an unmarked runner 1-3.

We looked ragged and tired, a complete opposite of a Follands side determined to grab more goals.

1-4 came on 42 minutes as a player waltzed through a static defence.

To rub salt in the wounds Prowis was dropped in the box. The keeper saved Matt Vining’s penalty.

48 minutes and another long ball whistled through our defence ..1-5.

Result 1-5.