WESSEX LEAGUE DIVISION ONE
SATURDAY 6TH AUGUST 2022
VERWOOD TOWN 4 WHITCHURCH UNITED 3

Whitchurch took advantage of a Verwood lethargic start and almost went one up with a quick break and shot. A half clearance gave the ball away and another snap attack gave Broad a chance to show excellent defensive qualities.

A good run down our right and a deep cross found Carswell but his header went across the box and was cleared. A good opening to the game but with Whitchurch calling the shots.

4 minutes in and it was Jackson’s turn to hammer a ball away from our area but only to see it headed back into the box. A runner nipped in and put the ball past Phillips into the bottom corner. The linesman saved blushes by flagging the runner offside.

We picked up. Good football saw Taylor work with Stock to create an opening on our right. Carswell took up the running and a through ball found Mason tearing in on goal. Mason’s shot went inches wide of the post.

Our possession on the ball yielded on 11 minutes. A good run by McWilliams forced a corner. An excellent delivery, a powerful McMonagle header and we went ahead 1-0.

Resting on laurels in this division doesn’t work. A minute only had elapsed from scoring and a long ball and runners benefitted from a strong Jackson tackle in the box that although disputed gave away a penalty 1-1.

The game went end to end with Whitchurch using a long ball. We defended well and with Phillips on song we looked solid at the back.

We cracked again though on 23 minutes as another long ball caught us pushing too far upfield. A runner nipped round the back to make it 1-2.

No heads dropped and it was good to see a strong retaliation.

Carswell and Stock worked the central areas and a series of attacks deserved a goal but we couldn’t add a finish.

With 7 minutes left of the half Regan Mason left his marker for dead and finished his run with a blistering left foot shot that levelled the score 2-2.

Half Time 2-2

We started he second half where we left off and forced a corner with only a minute gone of the half. A good cross but no heads connected and the ball finished up as a dead ball kick.

Storey caught the eye with good feet rounding his marker and delivering a great through ball for McWilliams. Cutting in, McWilliams whipped in a low cross and McMonagle tucked in his second of the game on 52 minutes to make it 3-2.

We were now back to our football best and excellent approach work pegged Whitchurch back into their third.

57 minutes had Storey making way for Fishlock to stretch his legs.

59 minutes had us camped in Whitchurch box but a stonewall defence kept the ball out of the net.

64 minutes and pressure told. McWilliams brushed off a couple of robust tackles and a half chance in front of the sticks was enough for a McWilliams entry onto the score sheet. 4-2.

68….McWilliams earned a breather and on came Hall.

Fishlock showing good feet dummied his marker and dinked a ball to Carswell…On to Mason and another left footer slid past the post.

78..On came David Kerr for Harley Stock.

We maintained pressure and should have had another goal from a Hall pass that split Whitchurch defence for Carswell to volley just wide.

Naivety stepped in. We pushed up without leaving cover and with a minute left of the whistle Whitchurch broke through to make it 4-3.

A nail biting finish but with the three points ours.

Result 4-3