SYDENHAMS (WESSSEX) LEAGUE PREMIER DIVISION
WEDNESDAY 27TH FEBRUARY 2013
VERWOOD TOWN 0 GE HAMBLE 1

We hadn't had time to settle when Hamble forced a run on the right. A high ball into the box caused a scramble but Lynch leaped high to punch away for a corner. The corner dipped onto the penalty spot. Luckily Oldring's anticipation was enough to get under the ball and head clear.

Gajic put a ball out to Webb and Dyer joining in worked his way to the edge of Hamble's box. An attempted through ball to Haskell was intercepted and a counter attack was sprung down the left.

Evans shadowed the runner and an excellent tackle put the ball in touch. Thoroughgood blocked a shot resulting from the throw in, and Oldring pumped the ball away from danger.

Haskell had the better of ariel challenges and we looked as though we could get ourselves on the score sheet as we pressed Hamble back into their area.

Satterley and Dyer went close with good shots and then Gajic brought out a great save from the keeper.

14 minutes gone and we lapsed in concentration. Hamble took advantage and opening us up on the left, produced a cross and header taking them into the lead. 0-1.

22 minutes and whilst we were still recovering Hamble almost made it two with a swerving shot going just over the angle of cross bar and post.

We got back into our stride. Gajic forced his way through a tackle and released Dyer wide left. Dyer's run inside the full back gave space for a cross and Haskell's header dipped just over the bar.

Satterley had a shot that went wide and then Webb hit the side netting. The story was simple…we were having a chunk of possession but couldn't produce in front of goal.

Burch made the keeper work hard to stop a rising shot and then Evans raced away to try a cross shot that the keeper covered well.

43 minutes and Haskell shrugged off two defenders just outside the box to whip in a shot but yet again straight at the keeper.

Lynch had made a couple of stops but nothing of a serious nature, apart from the goal, had troubled him in the half.

Half Time 0-1

Burch shot …. but, straight at the keeper !!! The half a minute old and we were repeating the mistakes of the first half.

Hamble worked their way through the mid field and a ball wide to the left flank caught us. A run into the area a dipping shot and Lynch had to produce a great diving save to prevent Hamble going further ahead.

Webb's tenacity earned him the ball. A quick reverse pass and Haskell went free to shoot but the keeper made a good safe catch.

10 minutes and a double substitution. Saxby on for Satterley and Lovell on for Burch.

Lovell was into the mix immediately. A ball through to Saxby and a chance. The shot was blocked by the full back. In came Lovell on the follow up and another shot was blocked. Webb finished off our pressure with an effort NASA would have been proud of.

Saxby released by Lovell after 60 minutes should have scored but the keeper made a good low save at the foot of the post.

65 minutes a Gajic chip over the keeper clipped the bar. A second effort a couple of minutes later was flicked past the post for a corner. Haskell's header went over the bar.

Another cross and Haskell's oustretched leg diverted the ball goal wards but the keeper was on hand to scoop the ball away from danger.

Lovell wriggled free with 8 minutes left and caused ooh's and aah's from the crowd as the keeper palmed the ball upwards and then managed to catch it on the line.

An attack was broken up by Kelly. A ball inside to Oldring and a surge up field had Hamble back pedalling. Oldring's defence splitting pass found Dyer and an excellent shot was punched out by the keeper.

Haskell topped a shot giving the keeper an easy catch and we then suffered the rest of the game from incompetence in front of the sticks.

Let's hope we can reverse the trend in coming games.

Result 0-1.