SYDENHAMS LEAGUE (WESSEX) DIVISION ONE
SATURDAY 12TH JANUARY 2008
ANDOVER NEW STREET 0 - VERWOOD TOWN 3

After three days of rain Andover's pitch was remarkably good. The surface was greasy so we new it would be difficult to keep our feet. We adapted well and the first attack of the game went to Dyer. A jinking run on the left and a shot from the edge of the box had the keeper scampering to make a save.

Goodall was proving a handful for the home team to contain, and with quarter of an hour gone Goodall rounded the full back to race into the box. A low shot was well saved.

Andover's retaliation was short lived and Willis comfortably dealt with a shot from the edge of the box. Generally we had the lions share of play and with Lynch again in excellent from didn't look to be troubled.

Arnold and Beverley moved the ball around reasonably well but there were several passes went astray as the ball shot off the surface.

19minutes gone and a hopeful cross into our box was gathered by Willis. A quick throw to Yerby and 30 yards later Yerby rounded the centre half to try a shot. The keeper was stranded but the full back covered well and cleared the danger.

A bit of frustration crept in. We had enjoyed most of the play but hadn't really troubled Andover as much as we had hoped. A good defensive pattern was our stumbling block supported by some good goalkeeping.

We finally broke the deadlock with four minutes of the half remaining when Yerby raced down the right and a peach of a pass found Goodall on the edge of the box. Two steps and a left foot shot had the ball nestling in the bottom corner.

Half Time 1-0.

Andover almost drew first blood at the start of the second half but Willis was quickly off his line to clear.

50 minutes and Giles broke up a central raid. Moving right he spotted Goodall and sending a looping ball helped us hit back. Goodall released Elysee and a rising shot went over the bar.

Andover's high ball cleared Lynch and a shot from just inside the box had Willis at full stretch to keep us in front.

We applied pressure and Dyer broke free on the left to fire a cross into the box. Goodall had a shot blocked, Elysee hit a defender on the line and then Truan strode in and from 18 yards powered the ball into the roof of the net. 2-0.

We continued the game with pace and had Andover stretched at the back. Two great saves from the keeper gave them extra heart and for ten minutes we faced a rally.

Yerby Giles and Homer were exceptional during this period as we absorbed a wave of attacks. Willis again was on top form and was obviously doing his very best to keep a clean sheet.

We worked our way back into the game. Beverley and Arnold added backbone and we got back to playing through the middle.

71 minutes and Dyer broke away on the left. Beating two players on the edge of the box Dyer's shot beat the keeper and finished up in the back of the net. 3-0.

We hit a purple patch of attacking play. Goodall, Truan and Homer all went close and Lynch had a header palmed away from under the bar.

Martin Newbury Matt Newbury and Liam Morrison all had a run at the end contributing to a solid performance and three points.