SYDENHAMS LEAGUE (WESSEX) DIVISION ONE
SATURDAY 14TH MARCH 2009
UNITED SERVICES PORTSMOUTH 3 VERWOOD TOWN 2

A few changes and a couple of players missing meant several changes to the team. The bench looked full though with Beverley and Moore sitting side by side.

USP looked dangerous going forward and both Lynch and Arnold made timely tackles to stop Willis having to make early saves.

Sam Lanahan blocked a central raid and a good ball wide put Dyer free to run at USP defence. A bye line cross beat the keeper but we had no one on the end of it to capitalise on a good chance.

9 min and Dyer again broke free to produce a tantalising high ball that the keeper tipped over the bar. The corner was hammered clear.

Chivers tried a volley with 14 min gone but the ball was cleared and we were again under pressure. A sliced shot sailed wide but it was evident we couldn't slacken against this forceful home team.

26 minutes and Dyer coasted to the outside of the box and tried a low volley. The keeper did well to beat the ball away but in came Arnold to fire an unstoppable shot into the net. 1-0.

6 minutes later we broke through and Lanahan hit a 30 yarder that the keeper did well to tip onto the bar.

USP worked their way down the left and a deep cross found an unmarked forward on the edge of the box. Luckily he skied the ball keeping us in front.

40 minutes and down went Chivers with a hamstring pull. We needed pace so Adie Arnold had no hesitation in getting Moore to take another gallon of Adrenalin to see the half out.

Half Time 1-0 to Verwood

Out we traipsed for the second half. USP immediately kicked off and forced Willis to a save.

Willis throw found Dyer…a cross to Evans a dink over the area to Elysee. A quick tee up and a volley shot past the keeper into the bottom corner, 2-0 and only 50 seconds of the second half on the clock.

We then lapsed into a comatose state allowing USP to get right on top. We rode our luck as USP camped around the box. Several attempts were blocked and beaten out of goal.

The ability to play football out of the back had deserted us. The big hoof was employed but the ball was coming back quicker than we could cope with and a series of corners followed. Willis was doing overtime with our defenders allowing access into the penalty area.

We survived though and Dyer almost had the ball in the net with a sparkling piece of individualism but the side netting was the recipient of the shot.

54 minutes and USP broke through to the edge of the box, a rising shot was beaten out but we failed to follow the ball out and another volley screamed into the bottom corner. 2-1.

We looked ragged at this stage and USP were rolling us over. Murray and Evans were on overtime rates as they constantly blocked and hoofed the ball out of the area. Lynch as usual was a powerhouse and Arnold was doing a superb job sweeping at the back. It was inevitable we would crack again simply because of indiscipline that had crept in and a failure to recognise shape.

86 minutes USP slammed a goal that Willis could only watch whistle past him. 2-2.

Stoppage time ran to 93 minutes and the time we had all developed wanderlust. One defender, three attackers and although Willis palmed away the first shot the ball squirmed it way along the goal line for a simple tap in to give USDP all three points.

Full Time 3-2 to USP.