NEV was on a mission.

Having volunteered to chauffeur Verwood during their excursion to the Isle of Wight, Neville Munson was determined to stick to the itinerary.

At 19.45pm, Nev expertly piloted the team mini-bus into the car park of the Verwood Sports & Social Club.

And, by 19.46pm, Nev was supping his first pint. He deserved it after successfully completing the final leg of this military operation.

When it comes to organising an awayday for a non-league club, the budget rarely extends to swish coaches and healthy pre-match meals.

Fuelled by an extra-large pork and pickle roll and a bag of Monster Munch, leading goalscorer Mike Haskell made a mockery of the preparation afforded to cosseted professionals.

A work of art from the West Moors-based painter and decorator is likely to prove pivotal in Verwood’s quest for promotion to the Wessex Premier.

But while Haskell’s stunning 25-yard strike may have earned the Potters a 1-0 victory at Cowes Sports, this was very much a team and committee effort.

The day started when nominated driver Nev, who is responsible for fundraising at the club, collected the mini-bus. And although late arrivals John Webb and Jack Satterley put the travelling party behind schedule, Nev made up time to ensure they reached Lymington ferry terminal by midday.

“Stay out of the bar!” instructed Nev after the players had boarded the ferry to Yarmouth.

Debbie Arnold and Laura Jefferis, the respective wives of manager Adie Arnold and vice-chairman Steve Jefferis, took no notice as they calmed their pre-match nerves with a vodka and tonic.

Keen to arrive early, boss Adie had decided to make his own way from Southampton to Cowes, although his plans were thrown somewhat when his ferry slowed to allow a grieving relative to scatter ashes in the Solent.

As the squad went through their warm-up, generous vice-chairman Steve hosted his party to a pre-match meal of cheese burgers from the tea bar at Westwood Park.

For such a big game, goalkeeper Chris Lynch was given an added incentive to keep a clean sheet with Nev increasing his bonus from one to two pints.

“Who are we playing today?” enquired one home supporter as the contest got under way.

But for the woodwork, Verwood would have held the interval lead with Satterley’s effort on the stroke of half-time crashing against the crossbar.

During the interval, vice-chairman Steve, affectionately known as ‘Stats’, revealed the Potters had scored in every league game this season. And, although the Yachtsmen rallied after the break, Haskell’s masterpiece three minutes from time saw ‘boring, boring’ Verwood claim their sixth 1-0 win of the season.

“Nine times out of 10, they end up in the car park!” joked the modest striker after his 20th goal of the season had extended to eight points Verwood’s lead at the Wessex One summit.

“I just closed my eyes and belted it. I hadn’t scored for six games so wasn’t bothered whether I got one from 25 yards or one came off my backside.”

Haskell added: “Coming to the Isle of Wight is a long day and it is going to be nine or 10 hours for us. There is a lot of hanging around and you can get a bit lethargic.”

His point was seized upon by skipper Matt Delaney who said: “Haskell is the laziest so-and-so I have ever played with and needs no excuse to be lethargic!”

Haskell was at the front of the queue as vice-chairman Steve opened his boot to reveal 24 cans of lager for the trip home.

And while Nev wisely celebrated with a bottle of mineral water, his moment eventually came once the wheels had finally ground to a halt.

Potters: Lynch, Evans, Homer, Delaney, Kelly, Gajic, Wrixton, Webb, Haskell, Satterley (Anderton, 67), Dyer. Unused subs: Sheppard, Wilson, Arnold.