VELOCITY WESSEX LEAGUE DIVISION ONE
TUESDAY 27TH FEBRUARY 2024
VERWOOD TOWN 2 FLEETLANDS 2

We had a bright couple of minutes during which Broad and Brazier linked up on the right and Brazier being cut down on the edge of the area. Our FK hit bodies and cleared.

A counter down the middle-had Pope displaying acrobatic abilities in clearing a dangerous cross with a scissor kick. Not a pretty sight but effective.

6 minutes saw Mitchell make a good save but 2 minutes later another high ball into our area was hammered in putting Fleetlands ahead. 0-1.

Both sides were committed to attack, but the quality of football wasn’t as good as we normally experience. Scrappy exchanges with more air than grass under the ball. Fleetlands had a slight edge in possession.

Flachi and Danvers did well on counters and a Pope Smith pairing did extremely well blocking a central route and countering.

Mitchell's handling was on show catering for a mix of crosses and shots.

25 minutes we pressed and Danvers crosses caused concern in the oppositions box. Smith had a couple of shots turned past the post as we pushed on.

34 minutes we were rewarded for persistence when McHale Broad and Brazier worked the flank opening up Fleetlands defence. Brazier finished the move with a shot too hot for the keeper. A palmed clearance fell on the edge of the area and Whitelaw cut in to put the ball in the bottom corner 1-1.

3 minutes later Fleetlands went in front from a scuffle in the box and a toe poke flicked past Mitchell 1-2.

45 minutes and the referee looked at his watch. A great move down our left between Danvers and Broad had the ball in the box.. A defender's arm prevented a goal. Up stepped McHale to plant an unstoppable penalty into the top corner 2-2.

The whistle went a minute later.

Half Time. 2-2.

The second half kicked off with Fleetlands showing a new head of steam. Flachi cut out a line ball and shortly after, Mitchell took a good catch under the bar. We worked hard as a unit and it paid off as we gained ground. Ferguson’s run 9 minutes into the half had Fleetlands defence scrambling but a final big boot cleared the area.

We were showing a great display of grit and determination as we curtailed several good Fleetland attacks, and countered.

Richardson, having come on for Brazier after 5 minutes, was influential in the middle of the park sparking runs for Whitelaw and McHale.

Although going close to scoring on several occasions we couldn’t add the finish.

26 gone and King came on for Whitelaw.

Fleetlands got extra Adrenalin from somewhere and hit back. A torrid few minutes saw our defence under intense pressure but we coped well and fought back.

It was a good end to end finish during which Flachi came off for Haensel and we almost nicked the game when King went through on 46 minutes but lost out to an advancing keeper.

Result. 2-2.