PRE-SEASON FRIENDLY
TUESDAY 13TH JULY 2010
AFC TOTTON RESERVES 0 VERWOOD TOWN 2

After a glorious week of sunshine, we turned up for a friendly against AFC Totton reserves ... it rained. The pitch became slippy but very playable.

Lots of changes to the squad from the one that finished at the end of last season.........Adam Tong......Matt Dear....James Murray....Matt Delaney....Chris Lynch...Paul Stephens....Tom Freeman.....Paul Arnold....Matt Newbery.....Adam Faulkner......Jack Mills.....Chas Elysee....Marc Harrison.....Martin Newbery....James Quilter.

Out came the teams, we looked like the Brady bunch.

Totton moved the ball quickly from kick off making a push on the right. Murray forced the player inside and Delaney was in quick to take the ball and an excellent cross field ball released Elysee down the right. A cross into the box was headed clear as Newbery poised for a shot.

A good open game with both teams trying to play good football was a treat for the spectators.

Half way through the half, Mills tried a long shot but the keeper remained untroubled. Faulkner broke through but couldn't hit the target and then Newbery planted a header wide of the upright.

At the other end Delaney and Lynch forged a strong partnership and with Tong reading his game with very safe hands it looked a certain nil score line.

Stephens worked hard in the middle and with a battling Freeman alongside, shared possession.

We got stronger nearer the whistle but the Totton keeper was equal to the pressure on goal.

As expected the half finished 0-0.

48 minutes and Faulkner slid the ball down the line for Murray to overlap. The cross was well held but the keepers clearance fell to Stephens who pumped the ball back into the area only for Elysee to head wide.

Totton went clear on the left and a deep cross was held by Tong. His throw found Freeman and a looping shot went over the bar.

Both sides struggled to make impact and when Martin Newbery came on it was suggested we should put the balance of the bench on to make impact.

70 minutes gone and Mark Harrison came on for Paul Stephens. Another class ball from Delaney found its way through mid field and Harrison raced through to place the ball wide of the keeper's right hand. 1-0.

Totton appeared to tire and we found we had more possession than expected.

Faulkner then Arnold had shots well saved and Elysee's darting runs created openings we should have benefited from.

It was Elysee who got the second from a glancing header leaving the keeper stranded. 2-0.

Totton gained a second wind and for a short spell forced us to defend the box. Delaney and Lynch were rock solid and Murray was having a great game on the left.

Matt Dear's reading of the game stood us in good stead as he patrolled and controlled the right hand side.

A couple of close calls towards the end of the game looked as if Totton would get on the score sheet but Tong produced two excellent saves leaving us with a clean sheet.

Final score 2-0.