VELOCITY WESSEX LEAGUE DIVISION ONE
SATURDAY 16TH DECEMBER 2023
FAWLEY 2 VERWOOD TOWN 1

Fawley had the first 15 minutes unchallenged and threatening to go ahead. We survived. A couple of counters in this period could have swung the game but we were woeful in front of the sticks.

Broad did well containing a pacy flank and Pope’s reading of the central aerial attacks kept the sheet clean.

King put in a good cross with 7 minutes gone but we had no one on the end of it. Whitelaw’s effort a couple of minutes later went high and wide.

We lifted the game gaining possession through midfield where Richardson Carswell and McWilliams made their presence felt.

Then came the first of our missed chances on the day as McWilliams had a shot blocked on the line and McHale put a rising volley over the bar.

Fawley used long ball clearances to counter. Davis Broad and Forewaker had a busy time but were well on top of their opposite numbers.

We looked passive despite having the higher percentage of possession.

27 minutes gone and Fawley went ahead though a penalty award. 0-1.

We pushed on. Whitelaw had a shot taken on the post by the keeper. Carswell’s volley went over the top. Richardson’s through ball freed King. His shot had the keeper beaten but went wrong side of the post. McWilliams then followed with a good run but only to skim the post with a daisy cutter.

Fawley reacted with a good break and a shot on target. Mitchell read it well and put the ball back in Fawley’s third. Whitelaw collected but put the ball wide of the upright.

The half finished with Fawley ahead.

Half Time 0-1.

We continued where we left off. On top of possession and with an opportunity to score with only 3 minutes gone. Fawley on the other hand countered and made it 0-2 with a goal of simplicity.

McHale blasted a shot onto the post a minute later. The ball rebounded and a big boot let in a runner. Mitchell was out quickly to put the ball back in Fawley’s area. This time McHale made no mistake in drilling the ball past the keeper 1-2. 4 minutes gone !!!!

Following was a catalogue of missed opportunities. We hit the post 5 times and the bar three times in the space of 30 minutes. Shots also whistled the wrong side of the post. We should have been well in front at the whistle but despite a last 8 minutes of added extra time camped in Fawley’s area, we finished on the losing end of the score line.

Result 1-2.