SYDENHAMS LEAGUE (WESSEX) DIVISION ONE
WEDNESDAY 23RD SEPTEMBER 2009
WARMINSTER TOWN 1 VERWOOD TOWN 0

Injuries and work related absences robbed us on the night of Jamison, Murray, Truan, Evans and Lovell. We had a squad of 14 though all looking forward to the game.

Kelly was first in action as Warminster swarmed forward in the opening minutes to try and grab a goal. A clearance down the line was intercepted and back they came. This time it was Lynch heading clear of the box. Newbery picked up the clearance and a wide ball to Lima opened Warminster up on the right. Lima chipped a ball to Dyer and a cracking cross was volleyed into the side netting by Homers left peg.

The football quality was much better than last Saturday but we had to accept it was a quick Warminster side that made us play.

12 minutes and it was Elysee's turn to produce a siding tackle on the edge of the box to deny yet another raid on goal.

Lanahan and Faulkner combined in the middle of the park to force an opening and Lanahan finished off the move with a low shot making the keeper go to ground to make a fine save.

We pressurised. Dyer had a good shot turned away for a corner and then Lynch had his header palmed off the line.

Newbery and Lima found a way through a tight defence but couldn't find the net.

Homer was finding space and a great move with Kelly resulted in a cross being palmed over the bar. The corner was kicked out and Arnold followed up smashing the ball over the bar.

A shot from the right flew over our bar and then another attack had the ball rattling the hoarding at the back of the goal.

Half Time......0-0

20 seconds gone and Arnold's free kick was spilled by the keeper. How they kept the ball from crossing the line we will never know but finally the ball was hammered out towards our area. Fawcett saw the danger and raced from goal. The race was won by Warminster but Fawcett's presence was enough to divert the ball wide of the post.

Elysee had to produce the tackle of the game as we were pushed further and further back. For the unbiased football fan it was a good game as both sides went for a goal.

Lima juggled his way past a tackle and a low ball to Newbery gave time for a spin and volley. The keeper was up to the challenge. The throw to the right caught us out and a race followed with Arnold cutting across and putting the ball firmly into touch.

53 minutes and Fawcett saved a point blank shot. 57 minutes and Faulkner's shot forced the home team's keeper to his knees smothering the ball from squirming over the line. It was end to end stuff with both sides taking a fair share of play.

Lanahan and Newbery linked to free up Lima. A switch ball found Faulkner, a ball inside found Anderton and an absolute blaster inched over the bar.

We looked as if we were tiring a bit as Warminster piled on the attacks. Fawcett saved with legs then a 30 yard rocket hit our bar and sailed to safety.

Kelly headed clear as balls arrowed in to the penalty spot. Lynch was solid and Arnold's grit and determination stopped a possible shot from the edge of the box that had Dan Eldrige plodding on to attend a bad bruising round the eye.

The game went on. We defended well but with only four minutes left on the clock gave the ball away just outside the area. A left foot shot this time beat Fawcett and Warminster went in front.

We pushed forward from the kick off and within a minute had two corners and a free kick awarded. We couldn't convert leaving Warminster with three points.

Full Time 0-1