WESSEX LEAGUE DIVISION ONE
SATURDAY 16TH OCTOBER 2021
FAWLEY AFC 0 VERWOOD TOWN 3

This wasn’t a game for the faint hearted. Fawley, full of confidence following their win over us in the cup, matched our determination to earn another 3 points following our success against Totton & Eling.

Fawley’s first touch was a launch into our third and a couple of runners bearing down on goal. O’Connor was out quickly and a throw wide left was taken on by Chilman. Osman had found space and a threaded Chilman ball inside the backs gave a chance for Osman to follow up. The keeper was out quickly to hoof clear.

4 minutes old and Davies shrugged off his marker to cut inside. A chip found Vining, on to Osman and a low cross flew across the box but no one near enough to convert.

It was brisk opening and to continue.

6 minutes gone and O’Connor was out to catch a high ball into our area. A couple of minutes later, Davies benefitted from a Burt clearance finding space to cross deep into Fawley’s box. A big boot clearance and a runner into our third hit a volley on the run that flew wide.

It was an open game with both teams intent on attack.

Burt gathered a high hopeful ball and ploughed his way through a couple of tackles before releasing Webber. A shrug of the shoulder and Webber rounded the back to put a deep cross into the penalty box. Osman went high but a good keeper took the ball off his head.

Dickenson and Burt were busy keeping very lively front runners under control. Dickenson won a battle to send Chilman down the left. Good feet took him inside and his cross was followed in by Davies, but again a good keeper took a clean catch and cleared.

Davies was finding space and on 29 minutes another effort was beaten out by the keeper. The ball ricocheted in the box. Webber put it to bed with a low volley that skipped past defenders on the line to put us ahead. 1-0.

Fawley hit back straight away and Hall was the brick wall they ran into with 14 minutes of the half left . A strong tackle won the ball and a slide rule pass found Osman. A wriggle past defenders had Osman in front of the sticks but a sliding tackle took the ball off his toes. Davies gathered and a run across the box gave an opening for a right foot shot. 2-0.

Watkins produced a body block with a minute left preventing Fawley from reducing their arrears.

Half Time 2-0.

We had the ball in Fawley’s box within 30 seconds of the re start. Osman followed in colliding with the keeper. The ball spun loose and Davies chipped the ball over defenders finding the bottom corner. The referee after seeking help decided it was a free kick but the keeper had suffered a collar bone injury and had to come off. A shuffle of the pack and we re started after 6 minutes.

We had a few brisk tackles to endure as the game was fiercely contested.

12 minutes into the half and a long clearance from Fawley’s backs dropped over our defence for a runner to try his luck. Out came O’Connor to body block just outside the area.

The linesman flagged to indicate a hand ball. The view was that it was a protective measure but the ref decided to allow the hand ball. Pete O’Connor received a Red Birthday Card.

Down to ten men. !!! Dickenson took the gloves.

Fawley’s numbers advantage was full on as they worked the ball upfield at every opportunity.

Dickenson became the busiest man on the pitch being peppered with balls into the 6 yard box.

Watkins Chilman Burt Webber and Hall did a fantastic defensive job as did Cooper who had come on for Osman.

Fawley applied massive pressure but on the day the team worked unselfishly for each other and every one put a shift in.

Dickenson won several corners and a highlight was a diving save from a low volley.

Stoppage time came and Fawley threw everything but the proverbial kitchen sink into our third.

On 53 minutes Dickenson again got a hand to high cross. The ball landed on the edge of the box. Burt threw himself across the flight of the ball. Chilman gathered the rebound and hoofed it clear. Fawley’s push on goal had reduced their defence to a single body. It wasn’t enough, Davies cut inside the box rounded the advancing keeper and tucked the ball into the bottom corner. 3-0.

The whistle blew a couple of minutes later to earn us 3 points for a real gutsy performance.

Result 3-0