DORSET SENIOR CUP
WEDNESDAY 2ND NOVEMBER 2016
VERWOOD TOWN 1 WEYMOUTH 3

A cold but clear night had players on their toes for the kick off. Weymouth hit the line in the first minute but screwed a hopeful shot wide from the angle of the area.

5 minutes later a well worked Weymouth move took the play into our third. A runner went free. Stroud was out quickly to make sure he didn’t progress too far and made a rugby tackle that would have graced Dorset Dockers.

The penalty was struck hard and true. Stroud had judged it well and although getting fingertips to the ball couldn’t prevent it hitting the back of the net. 0-1.

Weymouth continued dominating possession and pushed us back. 7 minutes of pressure almost gave them a second when a cross shot from 10 yards was on target but Stroud this time took a catch on the line.

Maddocks Smith and Dyer worked hard in the middle and got us into the game. Dyer’s pass wide to Bergin opened up a gap but the cross was easily taken by the keeper.

Gallagher forced a way through linking with Kimber. Kimber went wide and released Maddocks. A low cross caused some concern to Weymouth’s defence but the keeper sorted things out with a save on the ground.

Our attacks were better organized and after 17 minutes forced a corner on the left. A good cross and Kelly went up to head it over the bar.

7 minutes later we were opened up with a good move on Weymouth’s left. A free run on goal gave space for a shot. Stroud made an exceptional save. Strong hands palmed the ball away but a follow up had the ball in the net. 0-2.

We hit back. Maddocks and Kimber linked up to make ground on our right. A ball inside found Gallagher. A sweeping ball found Bergin. The cross reached Kimber, but a right foot shot went just wide of the post.

We were contesting well. A couple of opportunities came our way but we couldn’t find the net.

With 3 minutes left Weymouth gave us a demonstration on how to score. A corner on the left drifted into the box and lax marking gave half a chance. It was all that was needed as a side foot made it 0-3.

Half Time 0-3

46 minutes and we almost went another one down as we took time to settle. A swift break on Weymouth’s right finished with a low cross. We left players unmarked. A toe ender should have put the ball in the net from 3 yards but luckily it was scooped over the bar.

We rallied. Smith won several tussles in the middle as we gained more possession. Smith’s pass wide left gave Bergin a run but good defensive cover blocked Bergin’s route to goal. The ball finished up in touch. Dyer’s throw found Gallagher. Gallagher swiveled and a long ball wide found Maddocks.

Maddocks whipped in a low cross and Kimber was inches away from connecting.

On 59 minutes Gallagher gave way for Johnson.

Kimber was enjoying more of a free role in the middle and sparked a Bergin run on goal. Again the Weymouth defence proved too much for us to break down and the ball was fed back to the keeper for a boot upfield.

Elsom, cool calm and collected broke up a Weymouth central attack and a defence splitting pass found Maddocks. On to Kimber. Kimber cut inside but put his shot over the bar.

It was a much better performance than in our first half.

Snow put in a shift taking the ball in a strong tackle and then making ground into Weymouth’s third. A switch to the right and a great cross found Dyer racing in. A volley went inches wide of the post.

70 minutes we forced a corner on out right. Dyer took it and dropped it into the mix. A salmon in season would have envied Donachy’s leap to glance the header into the roof of the net. 1-3.

We wanted more but Adie Arnold curbed enthusiasts by imposing discipline in the backs and holding the line.

Snow again blocked a dangerous break and switched the ball into the middle. Elsom took up the running. Ghosting past a couple of markers Elsom’s final delivery found Johnson. Good feet took Johnson past his marker and a hard low shot would have been enough for a goal in many games but the Weymouth keeper was exceptional on the night and took a great catch.

Dyer and Smith both went close in the final stages but there was no change to the score line when the whistle went on full time.

Result 1-3