WESSEX LEAGUE DIVISION ONE
SATURDAY 28TH AUGUST 2021
INFINITY 0 VERWOOD TOWN 3

Our first game in the Club’s history against Infinity and one that was vital to recover our qualities after two insignificant performances.

Although shorn of several players we had a good squad and an enthusiastic one.

A jolt came in the first minute though. Infinity chipped a high ball for a runner and a shot on the volley went over the bar.

A couple of minutes later another high ball down their right was shadowed by an alert Anderton and a header back to Maher took the sting out of Infinity’s attack.

Watkins was busy tidying up a couple of attacking efforts to get flanks moving. This early spell gradually waned as we got ourselves together.

8 minutes gone and Burt intercepted a crossfield ball. A defence splitting pass found Vining. Good feet rounded a marker. A cross was collected by Gray who dummied the keeper and put a low shot into the bottom corner… 1-0.

Gray was proving his nuisance value in the box. Meddah made ground on the left. A good pass across the box and Vining sped in to claim the ball off defenders. A chip sideways and Gray powered a low shot for the corner. The ball was beaten out. Meddah followed in to try a scissor kick but the ball whistled wide.

Butler shuttled back to win the ball and a pass inside found Hall. Although closely marked, Hall shrugged off the challenger and whipped the ball wide for an overlapping Watkins. A good cross was intercepted and cleared.

On 24 minutes we got the break we deserved. Hall rode two strong tackles and slipped the ball to Watkins -on to Burt - a chip on to Gray, his volley was parried by the keeper. Gray followed in to nod the ball into the net. 2-0

Dickenson did well to contain a proposed attack down the middle and because his stud marks showed on the Infinity shirt he was penalized. The free kick was nodded on. Maher made an exceptional save under the bar.

We were enjoying more possession but because we pushed up too far almost got caught with a counter. It was Burt who put the mockers on Infinity hopes with a brilliant sliding tackle.

Half Time 2-0

Infinity’s half time chat had an early affect. Pace and good football put them in our third. We gave away a corner. Burt went up to head out of the box. A follow up volley was on target but Maher made a clean collection.

15 minutes gone and Infinity still pushed forward. Kelly and Burt took turns to clear but a low volley from the edge of the box finished up in the net. 2-1…. No… Player had been flagged for offside.

We hit back gaining more possession. Hall although carrying an injury made a couple of crucial tackles but eventually made way after 24 minutes for Freitas to stretch his legs.

The team tucked in. Hard work and unselfish play was the hallmark. We countered well and despite a couple more injuries we carried on chasing and playing good football.

Freitas was instrumental in a couple of good moves but Infinity’s defensive wall prevented goal scoring opportunities. Infinity almost pulled back the score line on 42 minutes but there again was Maher’s safe hands to take a good catch.

A couple of hold ups to attend to injuries took us to 47 minutes and then Meddah found enough energy to go past his marker and cut the ball back for Gray. The keeper came out narrowing the angle but Gray took it past the keeper’s right and slipped the ball into the net completed his hat trick and the scoring,

Result 3-0.