PRE-SEASON FRIENDLY
TUESDAY 29TH JULY 2008
HOLT 2 VERWOOD TOWN 1

Homer rose to Arnold's cross and a cracking header was diverted for a corner. Only three minutes had elapsed. The corner drifted its way to the penalty spot and was cleared.

Two minutes later Elysee tried a cross shot. The keeper made good contact but it fell to Cousins. A quick turn, a chip over the defence to Homer gave space. Homer's flick on was gathered by King but the resultant volley went wide.

Holt moved the ball left and Newbury's interception stopped Holt's hopes of pulling one back. A line ball found Elysee a quit spurt down the line and at the bye line a low cross was headed clear for a corner. King's half volley was blocked and then Goodall's shot was well held by the keeper.

Goodall again was prominent in setting up a chance for Arnold but we couldn't beat the keeper.

15 minutes and Cousins superb cross was powered into the net by Elysee. 1-0.

We had another few minutes of pressure on the home team but Holt pushed us back and worked hard to influence the game in their favour. Willis and Lynch became stalwarts in defence as crosses rained in.

27 minutes Holt broke through on the right. A low cross found an unmarked forward and the ball was hammered past Fawcett for the equaliser. 1-1.

We had a late flurry. 32 minutes Elysee sent a header over the bar. 42 minutes Goodall hit the side netting. When the season starts 'proper' we can't afford to miss chances like these.

We finished the half level pegging. 1-1.

It was a complete reversal of the first half. Holt had the upper hand and we defended desperately in the opening minutes to keep level.

Sliding tackles from Cox and Moore were followed by a couple of brave saves at feet by Willis.

Holt were moving the ball more down the flanks and into the 'inside channels. It created openings and we were lucky to keep Holt from going in front.

A fight back from Homer and Moore gave Elysee a chance of increasing his tally but yet again the ball sailed over the bar.

King then headed over and a couple of shots from Arnold and Matt Newbury worked the keeper. We didn't look too threatening at this stage.

15 minutes and a raid on the right split us wide open. A cross into the box went unchallenged and a simple tap in gave Holt the lead. 1-2.

We suffered a spate of injuries. Paul Stephens off, Liam Keighley off. Dave Cox staggered on despite a blossoming swelling on his left foot and then Liam Keighley pulled up short with a hamstring pull.

Adie and Nigel shuffled the pack again and we cracked on. King went close and Homer's shot went agonisingly wide of the post. Matt Newbury tried a cross shot but we again proved woeful in front of the sticks.

The game petered out and when the whistle went we had maintained our recent form with a consistency of played four lost four.

This coming Saturday we are away at Hamworthy United. Its rumoured Judith Fry and Sheila Leigh might help out by offering their services to show us how to put the ball in the net. Kick off is 15.00 hrs.