DORSET SENIOR CUP
SATURDAY 2ND NOVEMBER 2013
CRANBORNE 0 VERWOOD TOWN 4

Both teams looked forward to this game but we had the feeling Cranborne were more pumped up than we were.

We were first on attack. Only a minute had gone when Homer and Joy worked the ball down the left to force a corner. Cranborne headed clear but Joy picked up 20 yards out and fired a volley unfortunately over the bar.

Good football from Cranborne's mid field freed up the left and a cross skipped over forwards who had funnelled into the area. Murray collected on our left and slipped the ball down the line for Homer. Homer jinked inside his marker and crossed for Saxby to try to break through. A strong tackle stopped his progress.

Evans was next to push forward, crossing for Lovell. Frustration again as Lovell's header went over the bar.

Cranborne's answer was to lob our back four and a runner should have scored but screwed the ball wide of the angle.

Gajic, filling in for the absent Ben Kelly got under a high ball and a sideways header brought Dyer into the game. Dyer made ground, cut inside and fired a low shot for goal. The keeper saw it late but made a great save clutching the ball on the line.

Sim took a high catch and then stopped a header on the line as Cranborne pushed forward.

Webb, Joy back to Webb and on to Lovell. Lovell's run was halted by a sliding tackle that took man and ball. A minute later a similar move but this time it was Lovell's shirt that was the attraction as a defender tried to relieve him of it.

Cranborne's right flank made ground and a hard low cross was turned goalward. Sim had it covered and went low to safely gather.

We carried the game at this point but always aware of the danger of pushing too far up.

Homer worked the ball left and crossing into the box was disappointed to see Oldring's header fly wide.

41 minutes and our pressure paid off as Lovell went free to round the keeper and slip the ball into the net. 1-0

Half Time 1-0

Our half time chat emphasised the need to keep a fast pace on the game.

Webb Dyer and Saxby combined to break free on the left but the cross was well read and a strong header cleared the ball.

A run down Cranborne's right was blocked by Murray but the ball squirmed free and was subsequently hammered low across the box. Sim palmed it out and then Evans followed up to make his way down the right. A ball inside to Webb, on to Saxby and a shot hit the side netting.

It was cut and thrust at this stage but we felt we were getting our nose in front.

Saxby, great feet took on two defenders on the edge of the box. Cutting inside Saxby hit a left foot shot across the keeper but a brilliant diving save took the ball away from danger.

Another attack and scramble in the box had Joy cracking in a shot but the keeper yet again did well to drop on the ball before it could cross the line.

63 minutes Joy came off to give Brad Hill a run.

64 minutes and Hill's come back to the squad was welcomed as he rounded his marker and slammed a low cross into the box. Lovell touch was first class and a quick shift of feet had the ball in the net. 2-0.

70 minutes Hill again caused havoc with a run on the left but was unceremoniously dropped just outside the area. Up stepped Lovell. The free kick whistled past the keeper into the net 3-0. It was Lovell's first hat rick for the Club.

80 minutes Lovell gave way for a Vintage Dan Saxby.

Oldring pushed forward urging more effort. Hill tried to round his marker but was dumped over the line. A throw was given and Dyer slammed the ball just over the bar.

An electrifying burst of speed from Dan Saxby took him into walking mode. A lob to Hill opened up Cranborne on their right. A deep cross was hit low by Homer, a defender blocked the effort. Dan Saxby was on spot to pick up the scraps. (He hadn't managed to get back after his last excursion). A vicious daisy cutter zipped through the first line of Cranborne defenders but was deflected past the post by a stray left leg. The corner was well taken by the keeper.

Dan Saxby ghosted past a defender. A ball back to Webb and across to Nathan Saxby wide left. Nathan's ball flew across the area Dan Saxby dummied over the ball…in swept Homer and the ball nestled in the corner of the net.

Result 4-0