VELOCITY WESSEX LEAGUE DIVISION ONE
SATURDAY 7TH SEPTEMBER 2024
VERWOOD TOWN 1 EAST COWES VICTORIA 2

Injuries and holidays influenced the squad but we still had a solid feel about the quality to compete against high flying East Cowes Vics.

Our visitors looked a bit shaky at the start and we could have gone ahead within the first five minutes had we been more accurate in front of the sticks. A typical Danvers run down the left flank finished with a good cross into the box but kicked off the line by ECV’s left back.

The counter was a high ball covered by Fletcher and cleared.

Both sides looked frantic on the ball and missing was someone able to put their foot on it. Passing was erratic at times so possession wasn’t controlled.

Danvers and Hockey caught the eye with their attacking flair but again balls into the box were not converted.

ECV’s central tracks were dealt with by John and Ferguson and anything dropping in the box had Mitchell’s safe pair of hands keeping the sheet clean, until with 30 minutes on the clock a lapse in concentration let in a runner to make it 0-1.

Five minutes to go and our fight back was rewarded when Hockey hooked a shot past the keeper making it 1-1.

Other chances cropped up but were not taken, so at half time we went in level pegging.

Half Time 1-1.

Grzybowski broke through ECV’s defence within the first minute of the second half but put his shot straight into the keeper’s arms.

We chased hard but again passing was frantic. White tried a shot from the edge of the area and Hockey hit the side netting following up a John chip into the box.

ECV perked up. They could afford to push on. Defensively we held tight.

Substitutes used…68 minutes Brazier off for Whitelaw, 78 minutes Hockey off for Baker Stroud.

Chances came and went, there was a reluctance in front of the sticks to have a crack.

The game meandered on. ECV benefitted with five minutes left from a ricochet in the box following a corner to finish the scoring in their favour 1-2.

Result 1-2