WESSEX LEAGUE PREMIER DIVISION
SATURDAY 8TH MARCH 2014
WINCHESTER CITY 1 VERWOOD TOWN 0

On a glorious spring like afternoon Verwood made their first trip to Winchester to take on the current league leaders with a depleted squad. Missing for various reasons were Ben Kelly, Dean Evans, James Murray and Brad Hill meaning full debuts for Carl Foster, Tyler Rutten and newest signing Leighton James Speechley -Price. The home team came out strong and an early chance came when a far post cross was nodded back in and Foster cleared the danger by heading out for a corner. Lovell had a half chance for Verwood following a through ball but his shot was well blocked. On 15 minutes Winchester looked certain to score when a 15 yard volley seemed destined to find the net until Lynch flew across goal and pulled off a wonderful save. The ensuing corner produced a bit of a scramble but Verwood got bodies in the way and the danger cleared.

This signalled a spell of Winchester pressure forcing a succession of corners but Lynch in the Verwood goal was in top form, capped in the 36th minute when Winchester should have scored with a free shot from 12 yards which was blocked superbly by our keeper. We had a couple of chances ourselves as the half drew to a close, the best when confusion in the home defence nearly let Lovell in but his shot on the turn went past the post.

H T 0-0

3 minutes into the second half the home team had their easiest chance yet, a shot was beaten out by Lynch but fell to a striker 6 yards out who could only bundle the ball wide of the post, a real let-off. We forced our first corner of the game after a mazy run from Saxby had threatened to open up the home defence. The corner was headed back into the danger area by Gajic but the keeper snuffed out any danger. The clinching goal for Winchester came on 63 minutes. On the balance of play it could not be argued they deserved their lead but it came with a touch of fortune as a mis-hit shot found an unmarked forward 6 yards out and Lynch had no chance to do anything with it 1-0

Our best chance to equalise came with 20 minutes remaining as a Lovell headed flick found Saxby inside the box but he could only head straight at the keeper. We pushed harder towards the end of the game but could not find a clear opening and the game finished 1-0 to the home team



Report submitted by Steve Jefferis