FA CUP EXTRA PRELIMINARY ROUND
SATURDAY 16TH AUGUST 2014
BOURNEMOUTH 4 VERWOOD TOWN 2

Grant Cormack's (holiday), Charlie Elysee (Sick) Chris Lynch (family problem) Tom Whelan (M27 traffic problem) meant four absences from the squad. We still managed a good turn out.

It was a good start as Fisk made the running breaking free on the right and linking up with Dyer. Dyer's cross dropped invitingly for a toe poke but no one was on hand to score.

Fisk again made ground minutes later and this time it was Cousins who blasted the ball straight at the keeper.

Bournemouth's retaliation was to put together an attack on the right. Buck was quickly across to snuff out the danger.

Play switched to the left but Evans was in quick to block a run into our area.

15 minutes and the irrepressible Buck made ground down the left. An excellent cross was headed out of the area but Gajic was first to the ball hitting a volley low past the keeper's right hand. 1-0.

We pushed forward. Buck again was the instigator of a move down the left and this time Fisk went wide to cross into the box. Dyer found space and a great shot was palmed out by the keeper.

Collins hadn't had a lot to do up to this stage of the game but was suddenly brought into action as Bournemouth created space through the middle and had to make a good save as a low shot headed for the bottom corner.

Groves experience was on show as he brought players into the game with some excellent shielding and laying off. Fisk was the major beneficiary picking up a number of passes and trying to break through a Bournemouth back four. It was frustration for Fisk as Bournemouth's defence held firm.

We slackened pressure in the 37th minute allowing a player to drift across the box. Space opened up and it was enough for a good left foot shot to fly past Collins. 1-1.

We tried to claw back the lead with a good run and effort from Buck but had to wait until 43 minutes had elapsed when a Cousin's corner was met full on by Gajic and a powerful header made it 2-1.

A late flurry from Bournemouth's right flank brought a good save from Collins but the whistle went without any more goals.

Half-Time 2-1

Molyneaux appeared to be the only one awake at the start of the second half and dealt with a cross into the box by putting his foot through it to clear upfield.

Another high ball into our third had Evans back pedalling to gauge his header. A Bournemouth player went round the back hoping for a misjudgement and in the process collided with Evans. Evans header flicked the ball wide. Both players tumbled….. Bournemouth's dug out thought Christmas had come early… a penalty !!!!!!! 2-2.

Tom Whelan had finally arrived and Damon Cousins came off for a breather. Spot for spot.

Groves collected a clearance from Evans and slipped a pass to Fisk. Fisk on to Whelan and then picked up the return. He was through on goal and miscued. Yes, Christmas had come early for the home side.

They had their tails up and pushed on. Collins made a good save low right and suffered damage to his left hand. It resulted in another plus for the home team as a low shot was spilled and a player was on hand to tap the ball into the net. 2-3.

Dan Scott taped up Collins hand but swelling prevented movement and consequently a high ball into the area was only half punched and the ball drifted up in the air dropping onto a collection of bodies and bouncing into the net. 2-4.

Collins had to make way for skipper Gajic to don the gloves.

Whelan almost reduced the arrears with a terrific free kick but the home keeper took off in a Tom Daley dive and finger tipped wide.

Groves then split defenders and Fisk drove a low shot past the post.

73minutes Foster made way for Goddard.

Bournemouth forced the pace sensing a home win and Dent provided the block stopping another threat.



7 minutes left and Carl Poore went for broke pushing Dent up front with Groves and Fisk. Molyneaux Evans and Buck made a back three.

A Dyer cross was headed wide by Dent and then Whelan hit a shot from the edge of the box bringing out another fine save from the home keeper.

We dropped deeper as Bournemouth pressed for another. Goddard made a fine tackle to stop a mid field raid and then Evans overlapped with a minute left to drop a good cross for Dyer to hit a left footer wide.

We played an extra 7 minutes injury time but there were no more incidents.

Full-Time 2-4

Report submitted by Bernard Scott