PRE-SEASON
SATURDAY 24TH JULY 2021
WAREHAM RANGERS 0 VERWOOD TOWN 5

MAtt Burt had to withdraw before kick off because of a groin injury. It meant a shuffle of the pack with Callum Dickenson taking the No.5 shirt.

The game started with a ball played back from Wareham's kick off and a long central punt dropped into our third. Maher was out quickly to gather.

A similar pattern emerged as the game progressed but we settled into a good rhythm with both Watkins and Danver's excelling in full back spots. It was inevitable that we would go ahead as Butler and Davies went close to scoring early in the opening session, denied only by a good keeper.

The persistent aerial raids kept Kelly and Dickenson busy but with Maher's competence between the sticks we didn't feel threatened.

Meddeh grew to be a thorn in the Wareham side with runs on the right, opening up their back four. It was 15 minutes into the game when we cracked a stubborn defence.

Davies set the scene with a mazy run on the left. Leaving two defenders in his wake his cross from the bye line was half cleared. Danvers collected and set up Davies for another searing run. A deep cross and there was Butler to rise above defenders and power a header into the back of the net. 1-0.

Zanin almost made it two a couple of minutes later collecting a Watkins through ball and hitting a low shot but down the keeper's throat.

Wareham hit back half way through the half delivering a low volley heading for the bottom corner. Maher dashed their hopes with good safe handling.

Davies eased past his marker with 14 minutes of the half left and a raking pass found Zanin on the edge of the box. No chance given to the keeper… 2-0.

Pressure continued and a corner delivered by Davies was met by Kelly's head. The ball rifled into the top of the net. 3-0.

Hancox had a couple of efforts towards the end of the half but both went wide. We closed the half at 3-0.

Half Time 3-0.

Making way at half time .. Kelly Hancox and Zanin. On came Nicholson Carvalho and Pigott.

Watkins waltzed round his marker just after the restart and slipped a ball wide for Meddeh. A couple of defenders made sure there was no progress.

McCrow came on for Meddeh on 58 minutes.

65 gone and Halls dominance won a tussle in the middle. A pass wide gave space for a Carvalho run down the left. A cross field ball found Nicholson, a low cross into the box and Davies was disappointed to see his shot saved by the keeper.

70 gone and Davies made sure the keeper didn't become the hero again by slamming an unstoppable shot into the bottom corner, 4-0.

A niggly last 20 minutes saw a few ankle taps and obstructions but despite the attempt to frustrate attacks, Zanin went free of his marker and squaring the ball back allowed Nicholson to put a volley past the keeper to make it 5-0.

It was keep ball to the finish with an emphatic win,

Result 5-0.