DORSET COUNTY FA SENIOR CUP
TUESDAY 6TH NOVEMBER 2018
HAMWORTHY UNITED 1 VERWOOD TOWN 2

It was good to see Mike Johnston return after injury, joining Chas Gajic in a central defensive role. Sam Joy moved over to right back and the versatile Joe Kimber continued at left back.

We expected pressure from the whistle and got it. Fast pace both down the flanks and central was the feature for the first 15 minutes but we held firm and despite a rocket of a shot from a free kick hitting the bar we grew into the game producing counters which looked dangerous and forcing Hamworthy into a more withdrawn formation.

Dyer and Richardson battled in the middle and Dyer’s ball wide in the 20th minute freed up Davies for a run on goal. A dip of the shoulder and Davies whipped past his marker. A deep cross was well covered by the keeper as the marauding Guthrie ghosted into the 6 yard box.

Eaton tracked back to block an attack on the right and linking with Joy worked the ball down the line. A cut back to Richardson gave space for a shot but the ball drifted over the bar.

Carkeet shuttled back to cover a raid on Hamworthy’s left and working the flank with Richardson opened up a chance for Eaton. A low shot whistled wide.

We faced increased pressure from the home side but Tierney was in top form and produced a couple of saves keeping the sheet clean.

Five minutes to go and Guthrie pounced to put us in font with a classic opportunistic strike. 1-0.

Half Time 1-0.

We knew pressure would increase yet again and with Johnston comfortably bedding in and Gajic in commanding form we had the central area shut off.

15 minutes in we almost celebrated another goal but Carkeet’s effort whistled just wide from an advantageous position.

We relied on the counter and Dyer almost sprung the goal of the game but had to agonise as the ball went inches wide.

15 minutes to go and Joy made a crucial tackle on the edge of the box. A clip back to Tierney and a Tierney ball wide to his left sent Kimber away on a run down the left. If he’d have been at Kempton he would have had the punters raving.

Hamworthy’s defence was solid under attack. At least until the 80th minute when Guthrie slid the ball past the keeper to make it 2-0.

Celebrations were short lived. A ‘soft’ penalty in many eyes was put past Tierney with only 5 minutes left.

Again, pressure mounted. A cross shot hit the bar and Johnston’s heading abilities were on show as we weathered barrage of balls into the box.

We dug in to the whistle and came away drawn against Bridport in the next round on 4th December.

Result 2-1