SYDENHAMS LEAGUE (WESSEX) DIVISION ONE
SATURDAY 21ST NOVEMBER 2009
WHITCHURCH UNITED 0 VERWOOD TOWN 2

Heavy rain preceded the fixture. James Murray's back reacted to the damp atmosphere and needed warmth. With only a short time before kick off the general consensus of opinion was a good dose of Deep Heat Spray.

Bernie Scott's liberal application formed a rivulet of liquid that found its way in the crevasse between JM's rectum cheeks. Adie's team talk wasn't as effective as it usually is because JM had the attention of the dressing room sitting over the sink, shorts round his ankles, with the cold tap trapped at the top of the now steaming, red crack.

No one remembered what had been said so we kicked off playing the game off the cuff.

Heavy rain pounded down. Whitchurch benefitted from a slippy surface as Faulkner floundered and the ball spun free. Lynch raced across the box and a sliding tackle luckily was spot on as the ball was taken clean and danger averted.

Dyer revelled in the conditions. Breaking away on the right Dyer hit the bye line and a deep cross was inches short of being converted by Baguley into a goal.

Some excellent football from Whitchurch broke us down in the middle of the park and a chip over the defence gave space for a shot at goal. This time Fawcett was the saviour, flinging himself to the left and diverting the ball for a corner. The inswinger was headed clear by Jamison.

The rain continued to hammer down. Both sides stuck to playing good football with both areas having close shaves. Murray was exceptional during the latter part of the half, constantly on the move but having to douse his lower half periodically.

Baguley headed over from a free kick and Arnold's shot minutes later shaved the bar.

The half finished 0-0.

30 seconds of the second half gone and Faulkner slammed a shot that hit the foot of the post and bounced clear. It was a sign of intent. We pressed forward. It wasn't one way traffic though as Whitchurch taught us a few lessons on counter attacking. Luckily the Jamison Lynch partnership was solid and Elysees command at right back kept most attacks at bay. Murray continued to excel, he never stood still.

62 minutes gone we won a corner on the right. The ball came across the box and Arnold's glancing header flew past the keeper into the net. 1-0.

Whitchurch stormed back and a cracking low shot looked destined for equalising the score line but Fawcett made a tremendous save.

Goodall came on for Faulkner with 65 minutes gone and linked up quickly with Baguley to force a good save from the home keeper. Seconds later Homer raced free and a left foot rising shot looked every inch our number two but again the keeper made a cracking save.

Then perhaps a turning point as we won a corner. A verbal exchange followed and the home team's left back, who had been booked in the first half had to face another yellow followed by the inevitable red.

75 minutes and Murray was fouled on the left of the area. The free kick was slammed in and Baguley rose high to score number two.

Whitchurch re grouped but went on the attack. It made for spectator appeal. Fawcett was again a hero springing to his right and deflecting the shot away from goal.

Persistent rain had taken its toll on legs and the game slowed a bit, Murray was looking more comfortable as cold, ceaseless rain dribbled down his back. The referee looked at his watch and at six fathoms blew for full time.

We ground this one out against one of the better teams we have played this season.

Full time 2-0.