VELOCITY WESSEX LEAGUE DIVISION ONE
SATURDAY 10TH FEBRUARY 2024
NEWPORT 2 VERWOOD TOWN 1

Only a minute on the clock and a White cross was met by Whitelaw, a volley skimmed wrong side of the post. It would have been a classic start.

We pressed on. Flachi picked up a Danvers line ball and made ground before being felled. The free kick dropped onto the penalty spot but was subject to a hefty boot upfield. Smith collected and rounding a marker slipped a through ball to White. A threaded ball found Whitelaw and a shot on the turn was well held by the keeper.

Newport hit back with a counter down their right but Danvers took the ball coolly off toes to release McHale. A good break was blocked on the edge of the Newport box.

20 minutes gone and two good efforts from Whitelaw and Brazier were blocked by a packed defence and cleared.

We had the edge but Newport looked dangerous on the break. Broad and Danvers were busy tidying up Newport’s flank play and both Pope and Davis were on top of their opposite numbers. The odd shot creeping through was well monitored by Mitchell.

Another couple of efforts from Smith and Whitelaw went close but that cutting edge was missing yet again.

30 minutes and Newport converted a long clearance into our box with a toe poke. We suffered a 0-1 score line.

33 minutes and typical of our problems was a good move and cross that Pope headed just wide with the keeper beaten.

Just before the whistle a 25 yarder from White was on target but the keeper took his effort from under the bar.

Half Time 0-1

3 minutes gone and Whitelaw atoned for earlier missed opportunities with a great goal drawing us level. 1-1.

Newport reacted and the game opened up with both sides' intent on attack. It see- sawed. Mitchell was busier but coping well.

After being on top for most of the game we allowed a lapse in concentration and on 18 minutes went behind from a counter making it 1-2.

Newport pressed chasing a further goal but defensively we proved solid.

23 minutes Kerr came off the bench after a long spell out of the game with injuries and replaced Joe Flaschi.

We should have had the ball in the net again with 10 minutes to go when a terrific McHale run finished with a cross headed just over the bar by Smith.

It was a rousing finish and although we performed well didn’t have that golden touch of scoring.

Result. 1-2.