WESSEX LEAGUE DIVISION ONE
SATURDAY 19TH NOVEMBER 2022
VERWOOD TOWN 3 ASH UNITED 0

A clutch of teams mid table included both clubs. Only 3 points separated us before the kick off.

We adjusted quickly to Ash’s long ball game. Broad particularly was under pressure from a very quick winger but anticipation and good strong tackles kept us clear at the back.

Fishlock and Joe Smith linked up well and with 7 on the clock Smith put the ball wide for an overlapping Mason. A good low cross was taken well by the keeper.

Davis had to deal with a high long ball down the middle and then Kerr had to take care of another one as Ash pushed forward.

Coombes took care of a couple of hopeful long shots as we got to grips with a strong physical team keeping them outside the area.

It wasn’t pretty football but we matched a gritty side and thoroughly deserved to go ahead on 31 minutes when we broke through on the right. A low cross was volleyed in by Burpitt. 1-0.

We lost our way a bit with positional responsibilities suffering as we tended to bunch up front. Despite this the team worked hard for one another and on 45 minutes it paid off with Farndell collecting a Cam Smith pass on the edge of the box and putting an unstoppable drive past the keeper. 2-0.

Half Time 2-0

Ash continued their aerial barrage at the re-start. Coombes took a good effort near the post and then gathered a grubber on the line. The double act of Davis and Kerr were busy blocking entry into the box of runners chasing the missile.

It got more and more physical as the half wore on. A yellow flourished for Ash’s CF after a ‘tumble’ in the 6 yard box. Fishlock won a free kick 25 yards out a minute later as a defender swept him off his feet.

We persevered and with everyone pulling their weight got on top of the game.

28 gone and Mason outstripped Ash defenders on their right to steer the ball into the box. Farndell climbed above his marker touching the ball on. In swept Joe Smith who made no mistake with a drive past the keeper 3-0.

Management took the opportunity of making sure all the squad got minutes with careful use of the time remaining.

We went close to increasing the tally a couple of times before the whistle blew on a well earned three points.

Result. 3-0.