WESSEX LEAGUE DIVISION ONE
TUESDAY 16TH NOVEMBER 2021
VERWOOD TOWN 2 LAVERSTOCK & FORD 2

We suffered a 4-0 defeat at L&F a month ago with an inept 90 minutes gifting the three points. We needed to redeem ourselves in this return fixture.

L&F’s opening was quick and finishing with a 25 yarder that flew over the angle.

Our response was a Davies run down the right but a cross that finished up in West Moors.

It was a fast pace with both teams giving nothing away. L&F’s counters were dangerous but our on form back four protected Maher from a barrage.

Dickenson and Browning held tight reigns on their opposite numbers while Watkins and Danvers showed great appetite for the tussles.

Osman smelled grass from a sliding tackle and then Davies followed suit as L&F made sure we didn’t get through on goal.

Hall and Cooper gradually won their possession fight but L&F’s counters were always a threat.

Then, a body blow. Danvers, the epitome of gentle tackling was given a Red for a tackle that won the ball but bringing howls of protest from the visitor’s bench.

The referee waved the card but challenges that he had got the colour wrong went unheeded.. Off went Danvers for an early shower.

20 minutes gone and down to ten men !!.

Grit, determination and good football supported by a massive energy output was on show.

Hancox and Davies worked the ball left. A gap opened up but Osman’s shot was just wide.

31 minutes gone and despite edging play we went behind after Dickenson was penalised for a strong tackle in the box. Maher went the right way but the ball whipped up the back of the net 0-1.

We lost our way a bit and a few slip shod defensive mistakes meant Anus Stoppers being employed by management.

We survived the onslaught and hit back.

Watkins broke up a left flank move and a superb ball found Osman. A block tackle floored Osman and the ref waved play on despite more protests.

Watkins again won the cross, a through ball found Hall. A strong run and taking the ball wide right Hall delivered a low cross into the box. L&F half cleared. Cooper swept in and caught the ball on the volley just on the edge of the area. The keeper had no chance as Cooper’s shot levelled scores 1-1.

10 minutes left. We were on top for the remainder of the half giving management a dilemma. Should they play with ten men from the start in future ??

Half Time 1-1

A corner for L&F on 7 minutes was won by Hall. Coasting past a couple of mid fielders Hall opened up L&F. A pass left found Davies but so did the full back. Davies slid 10 yards after being felled.

The extra man might have had a slight advantage for L&F but the effort and energy being applied by us covered the anomaly.

A few handbags

were on show but generally it was a good game and showing good football traits. 20 gone and Dickenson made another telling tackle in the box. This time the ref got it right and waved play on.

Powis was buzzing in the middle and from a Browning pass brought the keeper to his knees with a shot from 20 yards.

27 gone and Ed Fisher joined the fray replacing Powis.

Josh Hall had to come off after ankle problems. On came Jake Kelly.v Before we had a chance to settle in a long ball dropped in the six yard box. Runners collided. A melee. What happened was a mystery except for the referee decision that there had been an infringement and awarded a second penalty to L&F. Maher made ready. The ball flew past the post. We breathed again.

32 gone and we pushed on. Fisher rounded his marker racing to the bye line. He never had the chance to cross the ball as he emulated Tom Daley in a spectacular dive from a sliding tackle.

33 and Davies looked as if he was going clear but his marker decided to test Davies capabilities of running without his legs. A red card for L&F !!! at least the numbers were level now if not the score line.

34 minutes and Osman made way for Vining.

We reached 44 minutes. A ‘want to win’ attitude prevailed. Hancox raced through the L&F defence. Was a leveller on the cards..? No. He’d forgotten the ball.

45 we pushed on again. Vining, showing no signs of the elderly, went wide right and put an inch perfect cross into the box. Fisher slammed the ball past the keeper 2-2 and thoroughly deserved.

We went into 5 minutes of added time. Anus stoppers had to be doubled up. Both benches lived through a torrid time but both settling to a 2-2 result.

Result 2-2.