DORSET SENIOR CUP QUARTER-FINAL
SATURDAY 7TH JANUARY 2006
CHICKERELL UNITED 1 VERWOOD TOWN 2

Dan Goodall managed to get to the game 25 minutes before the kick off but Dean Evans missed the start.

It was a bitterly cold day but the Chickerell pitch looked in good condition and ready to host this quarter final of the Dorset Senior Cup.

Chickerell swept into the attack using long balls to the flanks. Cross shots had Colin Randall on his toes but there wasn't anything too severe at the beginning for him to worry about.

Goodall and Reeves gradually found their feet and began to get in amongst the Chickerell defenders. Goodall's volley in the 9th minute was well saved and Reeves run into the box was curtailed by a strong tackle before he got a shot in.

Chickerell at this early stage were the better of the two sides in terms of commitment and wanting to win. We stood off and gave room for a series of Chickerell attacks. Randall acquitted himself well and Lynch was a tower of strength in the middle.

Paul Arnold's work rate was very noticeable and with Luke Homer's overlapping raids from full back we pushed Chickerell back deep into their area.

The home side fought hard and in the last 15 minutes of the half had us stretched at the back. With ten minutes left a corner created a scramble just outside the box resulting in a loose ball being volleyed into the roof of the net, 0-1.

It brought us to our senses and more purpose was sensed in our approach.

Elysee and Dyer tried shots and a header from Reeves all went wide.

Half time 0 1

Adie Arnold's words at half time were still ringing in ears as we kicked off. Elysee whipped in a cross and Goodall's shot gave warning of the mood. He chased and harried creating a few mistakes in the Chickerell defence. Their wingers were closely shadowed and we got on top of the game.

5 minutes gone and a second corner was lifted into the box. A clearance ell to Lynch. It was an acute angle, but Lynch's deadly accuracy levelled tie score. 1-1.

The game opened up and we saw some good end to end exchanges. Cobly was the busiest of defenders but curbed the danger from his flank.

A Chickerell attack found a gap and a vicious volley arrowing into the top corner of the net was superbly saved by Randall. Chickerell had us stretched and we allowed the ball to be knocked around for a spell.

Then, Reeves and Goodall had a couple of breaks in the middle and Homer's influence on the left was having results. We were gradually getting on top again and in the 36th minute of the half Burner broke free on the edge of the box and unleashed an unstoppable volley that flew into the bottom corner. 2-1.

Chickerell, spurred on by a partisan crowd pushed us back and Randall was forced to make several good saves.

Fresh legs were needed and with Elysee carrying a knock, on came Dean Evans for Will Cobly and Lee Pidgeley for Chas Elysee.

Pidgeley took over Goodall's role up front and Goodall moved wide left. The pressure we managed to apply gave Pidgeley early action and a couple of breaks almost had Pidgeley on the score sheet.

Tired legs were evident. With 46 minutes of the half played and waiting for the whistle disaster struck when Pidgeley raced to the bye line and a tackle took him off his feet. The crack as his leg broke could be heard around the ground.

45 minutes later the game re started for two minutes. Ten seconds left and Randall made the save of the game to send us into the semi final.

Full-Time 2-1