VELOCITY WESSEX LEAGUE DIVISION ONE
SATURDAY 9TH NOVEMBER 2024
VERWOOD TOWN 2 FAWLEY 2

Work and injuries robbed us of a third of the usual squad but we still had a good quality on the field and on the bench.

Most noticeable was the inclusion of Methuselah’s uncle, Steve ‘Taf’ Richardson who adopted the centre half position. It was a welcome return for the 58 year old to don a Verwood shirt once more, and to add spice, play alongside son and heir George.

It was Taf who won the long ball from kick off, heading on for Kimber to pick off Grzybowski with a line ball. Grzybowski’s cross was just too high for Hockey to try for goal.

The half was entertaining more so for the energy produced by both teams. We had an edge on possession and several breaks on goal should have yielded but Fawley’s defence did well to absorb the pressure.

28 minutes gone and Grzybowksi pounced on a half chance to beat the keeper with a low shot into the bottom corner. 1-0.

5 minutes later Whitelaw almost made it two after rounding his marker and delivering an angled shot that beat the keeper but pitched up in the side netting.

We got stung by a Fawley counter a minute later leaving a gap on the edge of the box. A curling shot made it 1-1.

36 minutes gone and a hamstring pull meant George Richardson making way for McGinty.

40 minutes and Grzybowksi whipped a daisy cutter across the area. In steamed Whitelaw to make it 2-1.

We lost the opportunity to go in ahead at half time when with only a minute left of extra time we lapsed concentration and Fawley scored an equaliser on the whistle.

Half Time 2-2

It was a frantic opening. Both teams going for a win. Kimber slipped a peach of a ball inside the backs for Grzybowski to have a shot.. A line clearance cleared the box but Kimber had backed up and an attempt on goal finished with the ball high and wide.

Then it was Fawley on the attack. Dinnivan did well to punch a cross off heads. Fletcher saved blushes cutting across to take the ball and player over the touch line to stop a break down the left.

It was end to end stuff, 8 minutes gone and Taf’s remarkable scissor kick off the line prevented Fawley having bragging rights.

20 minutes saw Fletcher divert a shot on goal and Kimber floored by a high tackle. The damage meant a substitution and a tweak in the back four. On came Buggey.

We wilted slightly. Pressure mounted, Fletcher Whitelaw and Dinnivan made crucial stops. Taf was still on top of his game. On 28 minutes joining in an attack Taf’s 20 yarder almost crept past the keeper but a last ditch save on the line stopped the score board rattling.

It was solid graft by both teams to the end. Sometimes not pretty football but a classic for any unbiased onlooker.

Result 2-2.