SYDENHAMS (WESSSEX) LEAGUE PREMIER DIVISION
SATURDAY 22ND SEPTEMBER 2012
NEW MILTON TOWN 0 VERWOOD TOWN 2

New Milton's immediate attack on goal was instrumental in a cheap corner given away. Smith got under the cross and a strong header cleared the ball out of the area.

Shaken but not stirred it took a couple of minute for us to regroup and then we hit back with Evans making ground on the right. A good ball into the middle found Haskell and a flick through a packed defence gave space for Satts to round the keeper but forced wide. The shot from the narrowest of angles skipped past the post.

NM's football quality was a feature as they moved the ball accurately along the deck. A break on the left gave space for a shot. It was on target but Toomer took a clean catch.

Haskell saved blushes when he dropped back into defence and bundled his way through the packed area to plant a header up field.

The game then went end to end for a while as both teams tried to find an opening goal.

14 minutes and we managed to get through the middle of the park. Gajic played the ball through to Satts and a low right foot drive lifted the net 1-0.

New Milton hit back within a minute and won a free kick on the edge of our box. Toomer managed to gauge the shot to the 'nth degree and watched it skim the bottom of the post.

Good football and an open game made it worth the entrance fee.

25 minutes and it became the Toomer show. A dive to his left tipped the ball away from danger and then a minute later a sprint out of the area cleared the ball into the stand.

27 minutes Toomer body blocked a shot from just inside the area and the half volley re bound was cleared by a Kelly boot. Gajic pulled the ball down and played in Jack Jones. A wide ball found Dyer. A deep cross was pulled down by Haskell and as the keeper raced out to narrow the angle Haskell chipped the ball for goal. Agony was etched on the brow as the ball clipped the bar and over.

32 minutes Romsey's left flank produced a cracking move and a cross shot went inches wide of the post.

35 minutes, Haskell slipped the ball back to Satts and from 25 yards the left foot shot hit the back of the net. 2-0.

Half Time 2-0.

Toomer watched the ball blaze a trail overt the bar with less than a minute gone. It was a sign of intent from the home side on their view of the half time score line.

Then we lost Haskell. His 50th wedding anniversary took precedent over the rest of the half. Off he came in the 60th minute to go off and get bladdered. On came Chris Lynch, just back from holiday and to fill in at centre forward leaving the gloves to Fred Toomer.

Jack Jones gave way for Phil Midson as Adie Arnold went for fresher legs. New Milton looked strong.

5 minutes later Lynch climbed high to nod on a cross on to Dyer. Dyer found Saxby, on to Satts whose shot was blocked. The rebound was fired in but the keeper made a good save.

70 minutes and a free kick given away on the edge of our box was slammed low for the bottom corner. Toomer dived across the line to touch the ball away for a corner. In it came and up went a lot of heads. The one that proved best was Kelly's.

Another free kick 3 minutes later and the ball found its way through the defence. Someone's boot flicked it on and Toomer had to watch the ball skip past the post.

We hit back hoping to catch NM on the break. Gajic stole in round the back and a cracking effort was superbly saved by a very much in form keeper.

Smith and Kelly did well containing a forceful forward line and Evans shone with his anticipation and pace. O'Connell provided steady support and we had to keep alert as NM pushed us back.

Toomer punched a cross out and then Dyer went close at the other end. Had NM scored at this point it would have left a grand stand finish. We kept attacks at bay relying on counter attacks. NM pushed on and almost paid the price as Lynch cracked a low shot for goal. The keeper made a great save.

Energy tailed off slightly and the only incident in the closing minute was a deep cross and header in our 6 yard box that Toomer had covered and making a safe catch.

The game finished with 3 points for Verwood.

Full Time 2 - 0

It's always easy to be condescending after a win like this but NM will prove to be difficult opponents as the season wears on. Good football and well managed.