A good opening 20 minute spell was followed by a frustrating 70 minutes. The game lacked someone to unlock defence\u2019s and someone to put the ball in the onion bag.<\/p>\n
Cooper was alert enough to sprint off his line with 3 minutes gone to gather a long ball down NM left. A throw found Hall, and a line ball released Dyer. A deep cross was headed clear out of NM\u2019s box. A bright start.<\/p>\n
With 8 minutes on the clock a Hall Gajic Danvers combination ended with Danvers making the running down our left. Danvers pace was enough to outstrip the backs and a cross was volleyed by Butler on target. Defenders had shuttled back and the ball was kicked off the line.<\/p>\n
At this stage midfield belonged to Dyer and Maddocks. Good possession put us on the attack but a very resilient New Milton defence was helped by a misfiring Verwood .<\/p>\n
Kelly suffered a hamstring pull with 30 minutes gone and re shuffle followed with Chas Gajic proving versatility by taking up the centre half spot and Dan Hunt coming on wide left.<\/p>\n
We almost cracked the stalemate when Vint broke away and touched the ball past the keeper but unfortunately a shade too much on it and finished up in dead ball.<\/p>\n
Half Time 0-0.<\/strong><\/p>\n Both teams went for attack at the start of the second half but both deteriorated in approach and finish in each other\u2019s third.<\/p>\n We had to wait until half way through the half before we had a shot on goal. Nicholson hit a left foot shot that was straight at the keeper. Vint hit a rising shot over the bar and Butler whipped a volley high and wide.<\/p>\n Then retaliation. New Milton hit the bar with a counter and a shot from just outside the area. For some inexplicable reason we dropped back easing pressure on NM\u2019s defence.<\/p>\n Cooper came into his own with a flying fingertip save pushing the ball round the post. The corner dropped into the penalty area but again Cooper did well to take the ball high despite the crowded box.<\/p>\n NM pushed on. Smith and Gajic did well to stem the middle threat and Danvers and Hall were exceptional in their respective roles.<\/p>\n The scoreboard just rusted.<\/p>\n