WESSEX LEAGUE DIVISION ONE
WEDNESDAY 15TH FEBRUARY 2023
MILLBROOK 1 VERWOOD TOWN 4

This was a mid table battle with Millbrook holding a slight edge before the game. They started as if they had had a few Adrenalin injections.

Kerr was on hand in the first minute to curb an enthusiastic winger and another minute gone saw Carswell intercept a through ball to put us on a counter. Farndell found himself surrounded and a big boot put the ball back in our third.

Broad made an excellent tackle on the edge of the box as Millbrook continued to push forward. Storey benefitted from the clearance and good feet took him past his marker to put the ball wide for Joe Smith. A great turn and shot was worth a goal but the side netting was the recipient.

Millbrook pushed more balls down their flanks but Matthews and Broad excelled to keep the score board static.

Our passing was awry. We gave a lot away increasing pressure on mid field and defence.

22 minutes gone and a quick counter from Millbrook. A high ball into our area, found a gap and we went a goal down from lack of attention. 0-1.

Tails up, Millbrook pressed for more. Fishlock’s work rate along with a battling Storey was first rate. A tussle won in the centre of the park and a slide rule pass should have been converted as the ball found Smith, but the volley sailed high and wide.

Mason worked a left flank move with Smith splitting Millbrook’s defence. Smith’s cross sailed across the box but drifted onto the other side with no one around to collect.

We meandered for a while still under pressure. Coombes became busier but had good cover with Carswell and Kerr holding firm in the middle. A couple of minutes left of the half saw a lot of activity in our box but the 45 minutes finished with Millbrook ahead.

Half Time 0-1

A formation shuffle at half time saw Davis come in at centre half and Aaron Matthews taking a well earned rest.

4 minutes on the clock and a feisty development was evident as we pushed forward.

Mason won a free kick 30 yards out. A good ball found Fishlock and Storey causing concern in the box. A loose ball gave half a chance for Carswell, it was enough. 1-1.

We were now taking more possession and the quality of passing had improved immeasurably. Smith although tightly marked was prominent in attack. His ball to Carswell broke shackles. Carswell fended off his marker and released Mason for a shot on goal. Over the bar !!!

Ethan Fishlock earned his well earned rest with 16 minutes gone and was replaced by Cam Smith. We were gaining more possession and pressing hard. We almost got caught on 23 minutes giving away space for a runner. A long Coombes leg diverted the shot for a corner. Davis won the heading dual sending McWilliams away down the flank. A good cross was hoofed out. Mason collected but was felled. Up stepped Cam Smith take the free kick. A daisy cutter sped through a defensive wall into the bottom corner. 2-1.

5 minutes later Joe Smith went free to plant an unstoppable shot past the keeper giving us a deserved 3-1 lead.

The game flared with ten minutes left. Dave Kerr was chopped down and needed treatment. Tempers were evident but both sides eventually calmed down.

With 5 minutes extra time to play, we pushed on. 2 minutes left and McWilliams did what he does best, coasting in to the edge of the box and seeing a fleeting glimpse of goal put the ball past the keeper to close the scoring at 4-1.

Result 4-1