SYDENHAMS (WESSEX) LEAGUE DIVISION 1
SATURDAY 21st AUGUST 2010
VERWOOD TOWN 1 FLEET SPURS 4

This was our first home league game of the season and warranted a performance indicative of a push for top four spot following last year's tailing away. Consistency will bring it as the squad is slightly better than last year. Having put in a sterling performance against Downton we expected a win today despite Spurs growing reputation.

In the first minute Dyer went wide right and pushing the ball down further to Newbery gave space for Newbery's cross to fire in low. Elysee slid in but topped a glorious chance.

The keeper's drop kick hit the edge of our box for Tong to collect.

Spurs attacked again and it took a Delaney interception to cut out the danger. Lynch then followed with a strong sliding tackle to prevent Spurs entry into the box.

Dyer's through ball found Haskell and a low right foot shot beat the keeper but hit the foot of the post and bounced clear.

9 minutes and Haskell's flick header reached Newbery wide right. A low cross found Homer steaming in and virtually a tap in gave us the lead.

15 minutes gone and we thought we had a comfort zone. Then came the shock. Spurs dug in. Passing became sharper and their hunger for the ball was much more evident than ours.

Tong was the hero with a couple of fine saves half way through the half but the Spurs keeper outshone with a classic low dive right to palm the ball away from the bottom corner.

We tried hard to put the ball in the net but a lot of shots just didn't have direction.

43 and45 minutes Spurs taught us how to finish.

Scoreline at half time 1-2

Hairdryer treatment at half time.....not a bit of it,,,,Dante's inferno was more like it. The team came out singed.

Then came a pathetic performance. The pep talk hadn't done anything to motivate and we wilted.

Spurs conversely wanted to win and set about the job admirably. Waiting for us to meander up field in sham attacks they hit on the counter and taught us a lesson. Spurs passing wasn't as accurate as it should have been but they were better than us for a chunk of the second half.

We did hit a purple patch half way through the half but the difference was the Spurs keeper who had a fantastic game.

Dyer split the Spurs defence with a great ball and Elysee fastened on to it 15 yards out to smash the ball for the bottom corner. The keeper managed to palm the ball round the post for a corner. In the ball swung and Lynch powered a header destined for the top corner. Again he keeper made a tremendous save.

Newbery then tested from the edge of the box but try as we might we couldn't put the ball past him.

Then another corner into Spurs box was cleared with a hefty boot, Tong was the only defender that had a chance to meet the ball but the Spurs centre forward had the pace, a dink over our keeper made it 1-3. Simple, but effective.

A free kick on the edge of our box was flicked on and a scramble for the ball finished with it nestling in the back of the net. Absolute shambles.

Faulkner hit the foot of the post, Dyer fired over the bar, Elysee put the ball over the bar from 6 feet and then Newbery's shot was easily held by the in form keeper. All this in 7 minutes. Then the whistle went and the papers sported..............

VTFC 1 Fleet Spurs 4