DORSET WOMENS LEAGUE
SUNDAY 18TH SEPTEMBER 2016
POOLE TOWN LADIES RESERVES 2 VERWOOD TOWN LADIES 4

After a very successful game against Gillingham, Verwood made few changes to the line-up to face Poole. Lowri started in place of Millie, who was unable to play.

Team/formation was as folows:-
Jo - Larissa, Kerry, Sharon, Kirsty - Lowri, Karla - Herbert, Sophie, Shevvy - Liegh
Subs: Megan, Rosy & Angus

The defence stood firm, kept the shape and remained organised to keep Poole at bay. Jo was always on hand to deal with any through balls with authority and the whole team battled to contain Poole. On the stroke of 10 minutes, Lowri cleared the ball, which found Herbert on the right. With no options available, a hopeful ball was played up field to Leigh, who beat her market to the ball, half way in the Poole half. Liegh charged at goal, using her body to shield the ball from the defence which had closed her down and fired a shot with wrong footed the keeper and rolled into the back of the net to give Verwood the lead. A great piece of individual skill by Liegh.

Poole attacked Verwood with even more determination, which the defence were equal to. Verwood held firm and tried to high Poole on the break, but were struggling to hold onto the lead and get any foothold in the game. Poole were dominant while Verwood struggled despite their rugged determination to win the ball.

Eventually, Larissa won the ball cleanly on the right, saw a gap in the defence and played a perfect long ball to Liegh who gratefully latched onto the ball and hit a precise shot to put Verwood 2-0 up against the run of play.

Following the second goal, Verwood continued to struggle however hard they fought to win the ball. When they did, Poole were swarming and won it back quickly. Verwood did hold their shape and kept Poole at bay for a long period, but eventually Poole found a way through the defence and deservedly pulled a goal back.

Poole maintained the pressure and set up camp inside the Verwood Penalty area in the closing stages of the first half. Eventually a rash challenge from Herbert gave Poole a penalty and a chance to pull the match level. The penalty went clean over the bar and Verwood held onto the lead by the narrowest of margins.

Half-Time 1-2

Second half and Kirsty had taken a knock to her knee and was replaced by Angus at Left Back and Megan was on for Herbert who had ran a marathon for her team in the first half.

Poole looked a very strong, organised and determined team who were dominant in possession. The Verwood defence were rattled but kept their composure enough to keep Poole out until Kerry won the ball and played a quick pass forward to Lowri, who pushed the ball inside for Karla. Karla played the ball quickly up field to Liegh who selflessly played a through ball to Shevvy who had cut in from the left and fired Verwood 3-1 up yet again against the run of play.

Kirsty came back on for Angus after her knee began to feel better. Verwood tried to make a quick substitution to keep the game running, but the ref insisted that substitutions had to be made at the half way line (a rule, but not one usually vigorously enforced and seemed to only be reserved for team Verwood in this match).

After another clearance, it was Shevvy's turn to supply Liegh on a quick and incisive break. 4-1 and Liegh's finishing was clinical.

Full credit to Poole who were clearly the better team in possession. They kept looking for a way through the resolute Verwood Defence and their determination was rewarded as Jo dove at the feet of the Poole winger and although she went for the ball, the Poole player was too quick and had pushed the ball round her. Jo's momentum caught the Poole player and a penalty was rightly awarded. The ball was pushed out of play by the Poole player; therefore Jo received a yellow card with it not being a clear goal scoring opportunity.

Jo required a few moments as she took a blow to the back of her head, but shook that off to receive the penalty. Poole made no mistake with the second penalty and pulled the score back to 4-2. Rosy was on for Karla who was suffering from a bad foot, who added a bit of energy to the midfield, which had been working hard all game.

Shevvy went shoulder to shoulder with a Poole player and got a suck in her ankle. The ref saw an infringement which Shevvy was guilty of and gave the second yellow of the game to her for it. Jo was very busy in goal and was onto every through ball Poole played quickly and effectively, however she had taken many bruises for her trouble and the decision had to be made to bring her off and she was replaced by Herbert.

The closing stages were all Poole, but the Verwood Midfield and Defence were solid. While Verwood couldn't achieve any meaningful possession and struggled to do so for the entire game, they battled for everything, kept their discipline, determination and organisation. This helped them see the game out for a hard fought, backs to the wall 4-2 victory.

Let's take nothing away from Poole, who were by far the better team in possession and deserved something from the game given all their possession and efforts. But quality teams can find a way to win a game even if they are not playing their best football and that is what Verwood did today. Well done girls for such a determined team effort!

Full-Time 2-4