SYDENHAMS LEAGUE (WESSEX) DIVISION ONE
TUESDAY 26TH AUGUST 2008
BLACKFIELD AND LANGLEY 1 VERWOOD TOWN 1

B&L enjoying life at the top looked sharp at the start bringing a couple of saves out of Willis.

We had a bit more bite to our game than we had last week and Arnold again looked to be able to spark us into life.

The game swung end with good football being played. B&L made the first incisive break with a goal only 10 minutes into the game. A good move down the right a quick delivery and the ball whipped the net up. 0-1.

Homer worked the flank and a dipping ball into the box was rifled goalward by King. The ball rebounded off the bar and there was Dyer to try a half volley but this time the keeper made a good catch.

Lynch won a header just outside our box and Moore quickly followed up to clear the area. Moore's pass found Elysee and the road runner left his marker for dead. A cross from the right and in came Arnold to try a shot. The ball hit a defender and went for a corner. Cousins took this one and his 'bender' was met by King. The bar rattled but that was all.

Homer and Dyer were in excellent form and troubled the home sides defence with an attacking flair we haven't seen for a while.

We were enjoying a major share of the ball and pushed B&L further and further back. They defended their area well. We tried a few shots but the keeper was on form and on too many occasions we were woefully wide with efforts on goal.

In the last ten minutes Arnold and Elysee had chances but the keeper held firm and the teams went in at half time having given a good performance but with the score card showing B&L having the edge.

Half time 0-1.

We were first out of the starting blocks. King raced up field collected a Dyer through ball and a rising shot was tipped over the bar. In came the corner, up went King and the ball finished up on the roof of the net.

B&L, stung into action forced us back. Tackling was a bit feisty but the game flowed. A Lynch sliding tackle stopped a point blank shot on goal and Moore collecting the rebound put us on the attack with a crossfield ball to Homer. Homer's run and cross saw the ball drop on the penalty spot and Elysee's shot should have produced a goal but yet again the keeper did well to hold the shot.

Willis had to then produce for us. A mini barrage of attacks and Willis proved his excellent handling technique. A save, low to his right was the best of the bunch.

Moore had to come off. His stoop looked at first as if his shelled peas necklace had snapped but he assured us it was a hamstring problem. On came Jon Homer. A shuffle of the pack and we pushed forward.

A cracking move down the right a deep cross, a lay back and in swept Homer to fire an angled shot across the keeper and into the bottom corner of the net 1-1.

Neither side wanted a draw so the game opened up and was thoroughly enjoyable.

Ben Giles was having a good game and in the latter stages of the half found enough room to join the attack. Working the flank with Elysee, Giles fired a cross deep into the area and Dyer was inches short of touching the ball home.

The ball was lifted into our box and Newbury saved blushes with an excellent clearance. Back upfield it went and a cross was met by King. The header whipped past the keeper 2-1????? No the ref ruled offside. Heavy protests were made but dismissed.

92 minutes and the whistle blew. It has been good performance from both sides and the result was about right, 1-1.