WESSEX LEAGUE PREMIER DIVISION
WEDNESDAY 7TH SEPTEMBER 2016
VERWOOD TOWN 2 AMESBURY TOWN 2

Dyer’s ball wide from the kick off found Bergin on the left. Bergin’s attempt to cut inside was blocked. A high long clearance, was picked up by Snow. Evans collected Snow’s square pass and used Gilham on the right to counter attack. Gilham’s cross was tracked by defenders and another ‘Up ‘n Under’ dropped just outside our box. Jackson raced from his line to head clear.

It was a robust start with both sides intent on attacking play.

Amesbury pinned us back in our third. A deep cross with 6 minutes gone sped across the face of goal with no one following in. A lucky escape.

We looked a bit ragged for a few minutes but Maddocks and Smith gradually gained more possession and with Ryan Kelly’s bustling style in and around the Amesbury area we hauled ourselves into the game.

Canne’s anticipation of a switch in play to his side was spot on as he cut out a dangerous cross and put Smith away in the centre of the park. Maddocks went wide for the pass and a good low cross into the box was inches from Kelly’s right boot.

The game settled with both teams trying to attack. Jackson took a couple of ground saves and excelled with one shot destined for the bottom corner. A strong hand turned it round the post. Ben Kelly won the heading dual from a dropping ball in the box and steered it wide for Bergin. Tight marking prevented Bergin’s progress.

Smith’s industry was a telling feature of many attacks with Kelly going close a couple of times from Smith’s through balls. Our effort and energy was a massive difference to recent performances.

Evans broke on the right overlapping Gilham. A cross to the edge of the area dropped nicely for Kelly who put his header over the bar.

We were slightly edging play. Bergin shot wide and Dyer scraped the post with a 20 yarder.

Amesbury hit back. Kelly blocked an effort on the edge of the box and Snow made a crucial tackle in the penalty area preventing a shot.

On 40 minutes Jackson took a catch and freed up Ben Kelly. A great cross into the box and Martin Smith rose highest to plant the ball in the roof of the net 1-0.

Half Time 1-0

We are notorious for giving away soft goals at the start of second halves. The dressing room chat was pointed with players reminded.

Amesbury true to form pushed us back bringing out great central defending from Ben Kelly and Mike Snow. Any flank play was tidied up by Canne and Evans.

With 5 minutes gone Evans slid a ball down the line to Gilham. Gilham hit an early cross but just too far for Ryan Kelly to reach. The clearance was again reminiscent of a Cape Canaveral launch. This time Snow’s call was clear and good feet took control of the dropping missile.

60 minutes Gilham made way for Kimber. The swap was one for one.

We pressed forward. Bergin was instrumental in good piece of play on the right and a high switch ball across the park fell for Kimber to try his luck. Only the trees felt the draft.

64 gone and Smith turned inside his marker to open up a gap in the middle. A chip over the centre half found Dyer racing away but an offside flag put paid to a possible second goal.

It was that man Smith again who cut a swathe in the middle and a pass left, freed Ryan Kelly. Taking on the full back Kelly worked his way into the box and from a narrow angle slotted a great ball past the keeper 2-0.

We were tiring. Bergin looked drained from a fantastic effort and mid field looked to have slowed up. 15 minutes to go.

We dropped off a shade and it was enough for Amesbury to force a way through and slot a good low shot past Jackson. 2-1.

We gave ground. Amesbury benefited moving forward and playing some good close passing football.

80 minutes and Jackson couldn’t prevent a second goal for Amesbury as the ball was hammered low into the bottom corner from just inside the area.

Amesbury, tails up, went for the winner. We defended desperately. Snow blocked a shot, Kelly headed clear and Evans booted the ball high up field to relieve the pressure.

We mustered some energy and almost had the ball in the net from a Kelly pile driver as it edged over the angle of bar and post.

On the whistle it was a Bergin cross shot that almost cinched it for us but the ball only took a coat of varnish off the post as the whistle went.

Result 2-2