FA VASE 1ST ROUND QUALIFYING
SATURDAY 5TH SEPTEMBER 2015
VERWOOD TOWN 3 FAREHAM TOWN 2 (After Extra Time)

After weeks of holiday and work commitments robbing us of squad members we had a full house for this F A Vase game with the only exception, Jack Swann, still suffering from a hamstring pull.

Kelly was first to a high ball from the kick off and a nod wide gave Evans room to float a ball for Rutten. Rutten gained ground but was robbed just outside the box by a strong sliding tackle.

Donachy got under the long dead ball kick and Murray moved in quickly to win the ball. A good cross found Rutten but a classic ‘professional’ foul edged him away from the chance of a shot.

Fareham’s mid field was inventive and strung some good moves together in an entertaining opening spell.

An excellent move wide right opened us up and a good shot from just inside the area was well taken by Lynch.

We hit back through Evans and Atkinson. Atkinson drifted wide and cut in to the edge of the box to lift the ball over a line of defenders. Rutten had followed in but couldn’t quite get power behind his shot.

Fareham bounced back winning a corner. An excellent header hit the angle of post and cross bar. Donachy stretched a leg and cleared. Back it came and a cracking shot was brilliantly taken by Lynch.

It was a good end to end game and gave top entertainment for the crowd.

Wood was making impact with his presence in Fareham’s back four. His nuisance value won us a couple of free kicks taken by Dyer. Kelly headed one over the bar and then Gajic had a cross shot deflected for a corner.

A high ball for the far post was won by Donachy, but the follow up header from Murray went wide.

Fareham then had a purple patch with good football and several shots, some wide but the majority on target. Lynch was equal to the pressure.

41 minutes, Rutten followed a Brimson Murray move. Murray’s cross was low and hard. Rutten collected, spun and hit a rising right foot shot into the top corner. 0-1..

We spent too much time congratulating ourselves. Fareham slipped the ball through a static middle of the park and the ball finished up in the back of the net. 1-1. A lesson learned ?? No …. 45 minutes another lackadaisical piece of cover gave space and suddenly we went 1-2.

Half Time 1-2.

A very determined attitude was evident from the re start and Gqjic saw his cross shot go inches wide of the far post with the second half only a minute old.

We worked hard and Atkinson moved the ball forward linking with Wood and Evans. Evans was fouled between the half way line and edge of box and awarded a free kick. Up stepped Dyer. The ball dropped on the penalty spot and boots flew in an effort to connect. It was Wood who won the competition blasting the ball into the roof of the net … 2-2.

This time there was no resting on laurels. Fareham tore into us and the crowd was on its toes as they pushed on to try and get in front again.

Lynch was forced into a couple of diving saves and both Donachy and Kelly did well to contain bustling forwards.

We got our noses back in front edging possession, and Gajic with Dyer in central mid field roles sparked moves using the flanks more than the middle.

59 minutes, Atkinson made way for Fisk. Spot for spot.

Fisk was straight into the game with Evans prompting moves down the right. Wood linked in and a cross from Fisk was blasted by Murray into the keeper’s hands.

Brimson made a cracking tackle inside the box preventing a shot, and then Kelly headed clear from a volley into the area.

Fareham created a good move down their left and it took a timely Donachy intervention to prevent a runner having space.

The game went end to end and thrills and spills in both boxes gave a few heart flutters to the mangers.

Full time … 2-2. Extra Time of 30 minutes …..

1 minute old and Murray sent Rutten away for a crack at goal. Defenders got in the way.

We had to maintain pressure against a strong Fareham side knowing we would be punished for any laxity.

96 minutes gone and Dyer made way for McGilchrist.

103 minutes saw Fisk free on the left. A low cross beat two defenders and Rutten raced in to flick the ball past the keeper. 3-2.

It was then backs to the wall for a time as Fareham got stuck in. Half time of extra time Murray came off for Groves.

McGilchrist dropped into a middle of the park position as the Fareham steam - roller got into gear.

Gajic stopped a shot on the edge of the area and Brimson was employed looking after a couple of forwards as Fareham pushed on.

Rutten almost had a hat trick with a terrific run and shot but the keeper made a body block to stop us going further ahead.

Everyone was on their toes as the game entered its closing stages but there were no more additions to the score line.

Result 3-2.