SYDENHAMS LEAGUE (WESSEX) DIVISION ONE
TUESDAY 12TH AUGUST 2008
FLEET SPURS 1 VERWOOD TOWN 2

We had quite a few changes due to work schedules and holiday's but still managed a reasonable squad for the fixture.

We set about the task of collecting three points, displaying an appetite for work rate, right from the outset.

Lynch prevented a long ball reaching our area and a pass to Elysee opened up the right. Dyer rounded his marker and a cross was fired wide by Homer. A good opening and only 2 minutes on the clock!

7 minutes and after maintaining pressure had the ball in the box. Keighley pounced and the ball slammed past defenders into the bottom corner. 1-0.

The home team found a rare gap in our defence and a shot from just inside the box brought out a good save from Willis.

18 minutes, Elysee won a tackle, made ground and a cross found Keighley. A snap shot was beaten out. Goodall hit the re bound but the shot was cleared off the line.

Two minutes later Homer made a cracking run and a low cross was cleared for a corner. The ball dropped on the penalty spot and a frantic few seconds elapsed with both sides trying hard to connect. The keeper sorted out the various attempts by fisting the ball out of the area. The ball was hoofed up field and a cute lob over Willis was followed in to make the score 1-1.

The game opened up and for a few minutes Paul Stephens and Chas Elysee had their work cut out bottling up the flanks. Martin Newbury and Chris Lynch kept the middle sewn up.

39 minutes, Elysee slipped the ball to Dyer, a cross ball found Homer and a vicious cross was met by Keighley's No.1 haircut. 2-1.

We came out really determined to pick up pace and Homer led the charge in the first minute engineering a move involving Dyer and Cousins. The cross was met on the volley and Homer's attempt landed on the roof of the net.

Homer again minutes later caused panic in the ranks and a half clearance was picked up by Stephens. A dip of the shoulder a quick move right and a shot had the keeper beaten but not the full back who headed clear.

Arnold / Cousins partnership was effective and Arnold's aggressive running was the compliment to Cousins laid back free flowing passing game. Arnold's attacking instinct after 11 minutes resulted in him placing a header on to the roof of the net.

We were well on top. A flurry of retaliatory strikes were well contained and at this point we were worth the lead.

24 minutes though and a cracking shot hit the underside of our bar, shot down on to the line and thankfully bounced out. Willis said he had it covered anyway!!

25 minutes later Willis raced off his line to collect a through ball. A throw to Arnold, a pass to Cousins, a raking pass to Dyer and we were through on the right. Dyer cut inside and tried a shot. It was stopped on the line. A hefty clearance fell to Cousins. A rising shot was well held by the keeper.

10 minutes later the keeper flung himself on Dyers shot and then made a great save a few seconds later from a Goodall drive.

We had the Lions share of possession but Fleet always looked dangerous on the break.

We kept up our pace and when the whistle blew on full time felt we were worth the spoils.

Result 2-1.