WESSEX LEAGUE DIVISION ONE
SATURDAY 9TH OCTOBER 2021
VERWOOD TOWN 2 TOTTON & ELING 1

Totton & Eling’s recent win against high flying New Milton fired warning shots that if we performed as we did against Laverstock we would become another scalp.

Thankfully we had shaken off lethargy and started this game with a bit of bite that was missing last week.

Totton & Eling’s opening salvo was down the flanks but Webber and Danvers were on top form and provided an impenetrable barrier

Pace was good with both sides intent on attack. New signing Sam Chilman broke free from a Danvers line ball and a sweeping cross was well taken by the keeper before Davies could connect.

The counter was swift, with a high ball into our area but Burt claimed this one climbing high to head clear.

Hall and Cooper worked hard in midfield providing good cover for our back four against an eager Totton & Eling as the game progressed.

We began to edge play. Davies was causing concern to Totton & Eling’s defender’s and on 10 minutes picked up a Watkins clearance to cut through to the edge of the box only to be felled. The FK dropped nicely for Burt to steer a header for the top corner but the keeper did well to claw the ball away from goal. In came Vining but topped his shot giving the keeper an easy pick up.

Half way through the half Totton & Eling cleared a Vining shot, freeing up their left flank. Webber did well to track back and block an attempted cross from the bye line.

The game was open with a slight edge to our possession.

31 minutes and a Chilman cross was well taken by Vining in the box and finished up in the bottom corner. Celebrations were short lived as the linesman waved his flag.

A wag in the stand suggested a different place for the flag but the decision was upheld.

2 minutes later Davies brushed off a tackle on the edge of the box, rounded an advancing keeper and slipped the ball into the bottom corner. 1-0.

T0tton’s reaction was instant. A sweeping move reached our third. A chip to the edge of the area dropped nicely for a shot but a very competent O’Connor made a difficult shot look easy to handle.

Watkins and Burt came under pressure from a flurry of attacks but both were on top of their game and with O’Connor’s presence snuffed out danger.

46 minutes gone and O’Connor gathered a hopeful shot on the line. A throw to Burt..on to Hall..on to Chllman and a vicious low volley whipped past the keeper to make it 2-0.

We were still celebrating the goal when Totton & Eling caught us napping and scored from a low shot just inside the box.

Half Time 2-1.

Totton & Eling’s chat at half time was evident from their start. A through ball from the kick off was intercepted by Webber and cleared. A minute later a ball whipped in from the right was brilliantly turned away from goal by a diving O’Connor.

We weathered the storm gradually gaining extra possession.

Chilman & Davies were now making their presence felt. We had a couple of good chances in front of the sticks but Totton & Eling’s luck was incredible as we had shots blocked and cleared off the line in the closing minutes.

Space was given up and we almost paid the price but O’Connor saved blushes with two minutes left on the clock racing out of goal to clear off a runner’s toes.

Defibrillators then did the trick allowing Arnold / Warren to enjoy the Social Club’s liquid refreshments after the game.

Result 2-1.