DORSET SENIOR CUP
SATURDAY 4TH OCTOBER 2008
HOLT UNITED 4 VERWOOD TOWN 0

Chris Lynch passed a fitness test. Paul Arnold seemed to be OK after his ankle ligament damage but Mark Beverley conversely walked as though he had just given birth. Welcomed back was Pete King who elected to play despite a steaming cold.

The bench comprised Beverley Arnold (jnr) Arnold (snr) Luke and Jon Homer.

The week off was needed. A string of defeats required a bit of solitude to give everyone a chance to reflect and put things right.

A central pairing of Steve Reeves and Carl Chivers was a gamble as was playing Dan Goodall wide right. Dan was however given a free reign to wander. If only Nigel had confined the wandering allowance to the pitch it could have worked.

The game was only 4 minutes old when Dyer powered his way past a defender and a waist high cross was volleyed by Chivers goalwards. The keeper made a great save.

Goodall then sped past his marker and a terrific cross was missed completely by Charlie Elysee.

Cousins won a free kick. His 'bender' was spilled by the keeper and King was unlucky to fire a narrow angled shot on to the post.

16 minutes and a Willis throw to Elysee should have opened up a gap on the right. Unfortunately Elysee's pass went straight to Holt feet and a second later Willis was picking the ball out of the net. 0-1.

Half way through the half, Holt was chasing everything and we were watching everything!

Half Time 0-1.

Injuries meant both Luke and Jon got a half. We needed any help at all even from deity.

We managed to deteriorate. We've obviously mastered the art. Holt knocked the ball around and found their players. We couldn't find anyone on our side.

Martin Newbury suffered a ham string strain. He had to stay on. He was faster than our flank players.

It was an eye catching sight as Elysee ran down the wing leaving a silver trail!!! No one seemed to want to pick up pace. Holt enjoyed space and time.

23 minutes gone and it was inevitable that they would score again. Willis beat a shot out and like the Alresford spectacle the same player was allowed another shot. 0-2.

26 minutes and another biblical character entered the scene. It was Moses. The central area of the pitch parted like the waters. Holt's centre forward tripped merrily down the middle and slid the ball into the net for a third.

81 minutes and Jon Homer won a strong tackle (maybe a mistake) and made his way to the centre line. At this point off went the Sat Nav and a line ball found Luke Homer. Luke raced into the box and a shot was well saved by the keeper.

85 minutes and Holt's sustained pressure had us reeling. A shot across the keeper made it 0-4.

Moore had previously suffered a bad bruising and had to come off. We resorted to our 11 across the back and stuck it out until the whistle.

The game finished 0-4. A buoyant Holt and a dispirited Verwood.

Next week we have US Portsmouth. It should sort out the men from the boys.