SYDENHAMS (WESSEX) LEAGUE DIVISION ONE
WEDNESDAY 7TH MARCH 2012
VERWOOD TOWN 2 BROCKENHURST 1

A cold but clear night. Two full squads with both teams vying for promotion.

For a change we started well and forced a corner in the first minute on our right. Kelly rose high but planted the ball over the bar.

Gajic was next to figure with a good ball wide right to Satterley. Satterely's cross whipped just over the angle of bar and post. It was lively and good attacking football.

Brockenhurst got into stride and a cross field ball from their left opened up a gap for a cross into the box. Delaney had it covered and a nod down to Kelly got us a reprieve.

Liddell and Edwards had a tough job holding the mid field as Brockenhurst rolled forward. Central balls were the mainstay of attacks and Delaney with Kelly's excellent support dealt with most of the threats.

17 minutes gone though a break on Brockenhurst left flank allowed a shot from close in. Lynch did extremely well to hold the ball in a flying save,

It was good end to end stuff….good for spectators… but not so much for both Managers.

A dipping shot from Brock's centre forward was tipped over by Lynch and then a header was saved under the cross bar. Back we came from Lynch's throw and Haskell's volley was well taken by the keeper.

Gajic broke down the right with 33 minutes gone and a low cross flew across the area. Satterley stepped over leaving Homer with a clear shot from 6 yards. The ball was screwed wide.

Edwards' grit and determination gave him the edge in a strong mid field tackle. The ball spun on to Liddell and a wide ball to Gajic gave space for a shot. Again though we were slightly off target as the ball hit the side netting.

Brockenhurst swept forward in the last ten minutes and we defended in numbers. A shot from the edge of the box was well covered by Evans and then Dear body blocked a shot to stop danger in the area.

3 minutes left and Evans broke away on the right to deliver a great ball into the box. The keeper palmed it away from under the bar and huge clearance fell on the half way line. Delaney met the bounce and sent it wide to Homer. A cross, but yet again a solid Brock defence coped with the attack.

Half Time 0-0.

Brockenhurst were first to attack and Evans did well to curtail a dangerous outside left. Kelly then won a critical header in the edge of the box followed by a Lynch flying save.

We hit back through Satterley whose shot was blocked on the penalty spot. The clearance went wide left and Evans did well to get back and make a tackle on the edge of the area.

Delaney then went through the middle and released Gajic with a through ball. The cross was low and was cleared by a full back's header. Delaney raced back to catch a runner heading for goal.

51 minutes we retaliated after yet another shot on goal. Lynch bent his kick wide left. Satterley went free and cutting inside hit a 25 yarder past the keeper 1-0.

56 minutes Brockenhurst split us open in the middle and a dipping centre was headed for goal 4 yards out. Lynch did superbly well clean catching the ball just under the bar.

Play was confined to the middle of the park for a while and both Edwards and Liddell did well to contain a forceful Brockenhurst mid field.

71 minutes we cracked. Sustained attacking pegged us back and from a corner the ball was finally hammered past Lynch … 1-1.

Dyer on at half time with Homer dropping into left back spot was putting in a fair old shift back tracking to cover and then joining in up front as we counter attacked. The balance on the left gave an edge both quick feet and crossing capability gave us an edge on crosses from the flank.

83 minutes and another cross saw an attempted clearance whistle past the keeper for an own goal…2-1.

We had to give ground to Brockenhurst as they rolled forward. It was a great game to watch for the spectators but both Managers by this time were hoarse.

Lynch saved at feet and then the Brockenhurst keeper made a great save at the foot of the post from a Haskell blaster.

Gajic tried a rising shot that went over the bar and then delivered a terrific ball into the box that fell to Satterley. A volley hit a bunch of defenders.

The ball was about 2 mile high after another clearance when the Ref's whistle blew on a critical three points.

Full Time 2-1.