SYDENHAMS LEAGUE (WESSEX) DIVISION ONE
SATURDAY 28TH MARCH 2009
HYTHE & DIBDEN 3 VERWOOD TOWN 1

Only one minute had elapsed and Dyer's cross cleared the main defence and Steve Reeves stole in to crash a left foot shot into the side netting. The dead ball kick was won by Lanahan. A ball out to Homer gave our galloping outside left room. Inside to Arnold and then wide to Dyer. A good cross was met by Homer who had followed up and a crashing shot just cleared the angle of the post and bar.

H&D were good in possession. It forced us to fight harder for the ball. One move though we couldn't handle and a terrific shot beat Willis but went inches wide. It was a strong warning of the quality of good finishers.

12 minutes and another move down the right was allowed to go to the bye line. A cross whistled through our defenders and a grateful H&D forward slid the ball into the net. 0-1.

Heads stayed up. 4 minutes later Homer slid a peach of a pass to Newbury. Newbury's determined run on goal was partly checked but the ball finished up in the back of the net giving a level score line. 1-1.

We were playing well. Dan Goodall reckoned it was because Adam Faulkner was on the bench and no one wanted to come off!! Adam couldn't contribute as he was enthralled with lewd scenes on his iPod.

28 minutes and a Lynch header went just over the bar. Two minutes later Evans curling centre was turned goalwards by Lanahan but there was insufficient power to trouble the keeper.

38 minutes and a Dyer, Reeves, Arnold move finished with Arnold's shot being saved at full stretch.

With five minutes left we produced one of the better moves of the game when Evans Arnold Reeves and Homer combined for Homer to finish off the move with a rasper that the keeper did well to keep out from crossing the line.

Half Time 1-1.

We are still trying to find out what was in the half time drink. We came out at half pace and within a minute Willis had to perform heroics to keep out a left foot volley from just inside the area.

We hit back and a Reeves' shot was beaten out to Homer. The shot from Homer was again palmed away. Homer collected and this time turned the ball to Lanahan who topped his effort making it an easy catch for the keeper. The flurry was short lived. Back came the home team and Lynch had to be a powerhouse keeping the high balls out of our area.

Yerby blocked a shot and then Evans took the ball off a toe ready to prod a second goal for H&D.

We gave ground. We went off the boil and the possession game belonged totally to H&D. We had lost our way and it was inevitable we would give opportunities to the home side.

57 minutes proved the turning point. Another attack saw the ball fired into the box. Lynch couldn't get out of the way and ball struck arm. Penalty. 1-2.

5 minutes later we went further behind as a player waltzed round Murray and Yerby then placed the ball wide of Willis left hand. It was a class goal pushing us 1-3 down.

Came the cry….'Bring on Faulkner'…Adie and Nigel responded. Could this change the game? It did. H&D got stronger.

Another left flank raid a cross shot and the post saved a fourth goal. Lynch blocked a direct shot and then Yerby slid the ball over the touch line to prevent yet another cross. The throw landed in the box but Murray launched himself like a legless gazelle to shoulder the ball away. Evans finished off the danger with a hefty boot that would have put a NASA launch to shame.

We had one last throw of the dice that Newbury couldn't capitalise on, but what was relevant……..Adam Faulkner hadn't touched the ball since coming on !!!!! Were his team mates guilty of selfishness?? Was it failure of his mince pies in not spotting a pass?? Whatever it was the score line finished at:-

Full Time 1-3