VELOCITY WESSEX LEAGUE DIVISION ONE
SATURDAY 3RD FEBRUARY 2024
VERWOOD TOWN 0 MILLBROOK 3

The old cliché applied. A game of two halves.

For 45 minutes we were still in the dressing room as Millbrook enjoyed unchallenged possession.

Luckily we defended well but inevitable pressure paid off for the visitors when on 34 minutes a slight lapse in of concentration in the box let in an unmarked marauder for a tap in. 0-1.

We responded with a token attack sparked by Kay. A good solid tackle won the ball and his through pass found Whitelaw on the angle of Millbrook’s area. A shuffle inside and a hopeful shot was blocked by defenders and cleared up field for a continued pressure on our defence.

The half belonged to Millbrook. We didn’t perform and allowed Millbrook to go in at half time well on top.

Half Time 0-1.

Then a welcome Verwood recovery.

Only a minute had elapsed when Kay collected a Brazier pass and opened up a gap for White to continue the move into Millbrook’s third. A deep cross was scrambled out for a corner. An inswinger skidded along the bar and out.

An immediate Millbrook counter was blocked by Brazier. A line ball found Flachi and a through ball found Whitelaw on the edge of the box. A good effort hit defenders and cleared.

Our good start to the half continued with Broad overlapping and causing concern in Millbrook’s defence. Despite the attacking flair, missing was the finish.

Richardson’s return after a Sin Bin holiday swelled the ranks as we continued pressure. Millbrook’s long clearances caught us on a couple of occasions but Pope and Davis watered down central threats with Broad and Brazier controlling their opposite numbers.

15 minutes into the half we suffered from a counter attack. A long ball was quickly crossed and a header sped past Mitchell. 0-2.

No heads dropped. We pushed on. 20 minutes and Dibben came on for the Alter bound. Richardson. Brazier came off for a Danvers return.

22 and a Dibben Danvers link split Millbrook’s midfield. Whitelaw collected an inch perfect pass along the edge of the box. But topped his shot giving the keeper an easy save.

Millbrook had a a few minutes of possession and Mitchell came into his own dealing with several hopeful shots.

32 and Tilsted gave up his bench splinters for Flachi.

We then had a good period of pressure on Millbrook’s defence and should have had a couple of goals. BUT the malaise continued of being unable to score.

47 minutes and Millbrook made it 0-3 as we left a gap in the box for an unchallenged shot.

Result. 0-3.