PRE-SEASON FRIENDLY
FRIDAY 10TH JULY 2015
CRANBORNE 0 VERWOOD TOWN 6

Our first friendly before the 15/16 season took us to Cranborne. 23 players on the night and all guaranteed game time

Our pre season took hold and within a couple of minutes had pinned down the home side with Dyer and Gajic looking very sharp.

Groves and Swann worked the ball on the right and a curt back from Groves found Bergin on the edge of the box with space. A left foot shot whipped past the keeper giving us a lead in 2.5 minutes.

Cranborne hit back down the left and a sliding tackle from Gilham halted progress into our box. Harding headed the throw away from danger and Groves was on hand to move the ball into Cranborne's half.

Matt Head delivered a low cross from Groves' pass down the left and Swann was inches away from converting the cross into a goal.

Cranborne pushed us back and won a free kick just outside the box. Tong watched the ball sail over the bar.

13 minutes gone and pressure paid off. Matt Head crossed low into the box and Bergin dummied his marker to create space. It was enough to give him a sight of goal. A right foot volley made it 2-0.

Gajic and then Groves went close with shots as we pinned Cranborne into their third. It forced counter attacks and after 15 minutes a break on their right looked dangerous but Mills was in quickly to dispossess. A line ball found Matt Head. A half chance presented itself but the shot although on target lacked sting and was safely gathered.

24 minutes and a packed box caused a scramble and a subsequent penalty. Up stepped Jack Swann making it 3 - 0 with a low shot into the bottom corner.

4 minutes later a break through the middle gave room for a Cranborne shot on goal. Tong watched it drift over the bar. It followed with a Cranborne attacking spell bring the best out of Gilham and Mills.

A free kick low to Tong's right almost crept in but Tong managed to finger tip it round the post.

3 minutes left and Dyer jinked his way past his marker to fire a cross into the box. Swann delivered a delightful flick past the keeper to close the scoring at 4-0.

Half Time 4-0

Wholesale changes at half time from both squads meant fresh lungs on a hot night but we started as we had finished forcing the pace of the game.

Elliot Head's pass through the middle released Wood and a last ditch tackle in the box prevented a shot. The clearance was headed back by Donachy. A Moran and Atkinson move resulted in a low cross diverted just past the post by Fisk.

Eaton's reading of an attack down Cranborne's right was crucial as he cut out a delivery on the edge of the area. A line ball sent Fisk away and a cut back was volleyed just wide by Wood.

Brimson's attacking flair was evident as he linked with Atkinson on the right. Atkinson collection and follow up pass was inch effect. Binmson rounded the defender and chipped a ball into the box. The keeper was out quickly to deny Elliot Head an opportunity.

Cranborne hit back down the left. The run was blocked by Brimson giving away a throw. A high ball into the area was well controlled by Murray. A raking pass down the left found Fisk. A run to the edge of the box allowed a low pass back to Wood and a low shot into the bottom corner gave us a 5-0 score line.

Moran and Head holding our mid field spots had their work cut out containing a lively Cranborne attacking period.

Lynch pulled off a couple of good saves as Cranborne pushed forward. Shots were restricted though to outside the area as Eaton and Brimson blocked the flanks.

Half way through the half we had pushed up too far and a quick counter from the Cranborne left flank had a three pronged forward line against a two man defence. A long high ball from Cranborne's left was well read by Donachy. A superb header cleared the danger.

We got back into the game with some good football stemming from Moran and Elliot Head. Fisk benefitted from the flair and made a couple of good runs that should have produced goals but a stronger determination within the Cranborne defence meant Wood and Rutten felt only frustration as their efforts were blocked and cleared.

Constant pressure though continued and from a Rutten Fisk combination a low shot made the keeper scramble. The ball ran loose and Fisk was in quickly to flick the ball wide to Wood. Another blaster and the scoreboard read 6-0.

Atkinson went close with a left foot drive and Rutten's half volley whistled wide into the tree line.

The game finished with a score line of 6-0 and all those who turned up enjoying a run out.

Result 6-0.