SYDENHAMS (WESSEX) LEAGUE DIVISION ONE
SATURDAY 7TH DECEMBER 2019
HYTHE & DIBDEN 3 VERWOOD TOWN 3

For 15 to 20 minutes we survived a constant barrage of attacks from a very lively home side. Only 20 seconds had gone when a low ball from the right shot across our box but luckily no toes were long enough to divert it into the net.

H&D varied attacking options. Mainly they were earmarked for the flanks but several were threaded through mid field for runners to get round the back.

Russ Dyer’s flexibility secured the right back spot and experience plus good pace was enough to cut down enormously the threat down the flank.

On the other side Sam Danvers produced another superb display. Ben Kelly and Will Lambert did well to smother aerial attacks but what did get through Dale Hind did the mopping up in style.

Josh Hall and Chas Gajic provided the steel in mid field as we fought for possession. This was one of our biggest tests against a side vying for promotion and with a high % possibility.

We dug in. Ollie Davies was grabbing space and Lee Vint looked always sharp against someone emulating Blackpool Tower, Callum Butler went close from an Owen Nicolson cross as we gained ground.

Then on 36 minutes a Davies run and cross found Vint Good feet took Vint away from a tackle but a flailing leg floored him in the box, Penalty. Vint slammed the ball high into the roof of the net to give us the lead.

H&D Pressed. A shot minutes later flew over Dale Hind’s post and then Hind finger tipped an angled shot over the bar

Half Time 1-0.

We pressed. 18- of the half gone -Davies was floored near the flag winning a corner. Butler wanted to try his boomerang corner. It worked. A curling cross beat the keeper and whipped into the top corner. 2-1

H&D pushed us back. On 33 a half shot did enough to go past Hind and clip the inside of he post. The ball finished up in the back of the net 2-1

Pace increased by both teams. We gave as good as we got. Kelly and Lambert got busier as balls were chipped in.

Two minutes later we had a 2-2 score line when a slight gap opened up that was enough for a lethal finish. 2-2.

It was Fergie squeaky Bum time for both dug outs. We gave little away nor did the home team.

6 minutes left Butler cut down the right. Low cross and there was Davies to hammer the ball over the line. 3-2, 45+2 H&D had the ball in our net. The effort was hotly disputed but the ref gave the goal 3-3.

A nail biting finish followed with skirmishes at both ends. But, no more goals and a point each.

Result 3-3.