WESSEX LEAGUE DIVISION ONE
TUESDAY 23RD NOVEMBER 2021
VERWOOD TOWN 0 BEMERTON HEATH HARLEQUINS 4

Bemerton were out of the traps while we were still sorting out our shape.

O'Connor luckily had his mind on the game and within a minute caught a high ball heading for the top corner.

We lumbered into a trot.

2 minutes and O'Connor again made a flying save tipping the ball off the post. The rebound was fired back in and O'Connor again was on hand to palm the ball out of danger.

Bemerton took only 4 minutes before going ahead. An attack down their right reached the edge of the box. Browning raced across and blocked the cross but a ricochet went high. Dickenson raced in, won the tackle but was judged over zealous and the ref awarded a free kick. We had no shape in the 6yard box and gave space for a simple header to put Bemerton ahead. 0-1.

Thankfully realization dawned and we edged into the game. Watkins turned defence into attack with a good strong tackle and run down the left. A telling pass released Davies but Davies made only a coupe of yards before being felled.

Bemerton's attacking style pegged us back. Dickenson dealt with a couple of aerial threats and Browning did well to curb a run with 15 gone.

Cooper and Hall were getting a grip of midfield and linked well with Fisher and Davies on the flanks. Fisher made a good run on 25 minutes but was whistled offside. The free kick was placed down the line. We were lethargic in cover and allowed a free run on goal. 0-2.

We lapsed again. Gaps were appearing and we looked a far cry from a side in the top half of the table.

Bemerton's pressure increased and again we back pedalled. Webber kicked a shot off the line and Watkins headed out from under the bar.

Our passing was atrocious. Bemerton must have thought it was Christmas come early as we dipped again.

8 minutes to go and another gap in our defence wider than the M3 appeared. A free run down the line a deep cross, and there was an unmarked player to steer the ball past O'Connor. 0-3. Thankfully the whistle went for half time.

Half Time 0-3

The dressing room chat had an affect. Hall robbed the ball and found Cooper, chipping the mid field. Cooper sent Davies away but his shot went wide.

Fisher had a shot blocked and Osman sent Kelly through for run on goal. Again the shot was down the keepers throat.

It was frustrating to see opportunities go begging..

We were then taught another lesson in maximizing effort as a simple run and cross was diverted past O'Connr making it 0-4 with 14 gone.

20 minutes of the half elapsed when Vining came on for Osman.

Bemerton found an extra yard of pace. We back pedalled again and looked wayward without focus.

We deteriorated in purpose and energy. Bemerton were enjoying a day out.

Burt came on for Browning and was soon in the thick of defending. Two consecutive headers heralded his presence as Bemerton went for a fifth.

We survived the onslaught but recognized in a race for promotion we are currently second best.

Result 0-4