DORSET SENIOR CUP - QUARTER FINAL
TUESDAY 14TH DECEMBER 2021
PORTLAND UNITED 5 VERWOOD TOWN 2

Again we faced many changes due to a mix of players working away, flu and Covid Isolations.

The squad was still a good one and faced a confident Portland United.

A good Webber ball down the line sent Davies away to reach the edge of the Portland box. A good cross but just too far for Powis to get a toe to it.

13 min gone, Fisher broke free to smash the ball past the keeper and put us ahead 1-0.

Celebrations were short lived. Portland’s reactions were instant as a long distance shot flew past Maher to level the score line. 1-1.

Portland upped their energy levels and we responded positively with good flowing football.

Ben Kelly and Cassius Lister did well to curb central attacks as the game see sawed.

Webber broke up an attack down their left and linking with Powis made ground. A deep cross flew across the box and Jake Kelly almost made it two with a low volley skimming the post.

Luke Homer tormented his marker with good skill and made the bye line on several attacks but a solid central defence and a good keeper kept the ball away from Fisher and Kelly.

Fisher’s presence was a plus as he pressured Portland’s defence with good movement.

We slackened for a while and Portland took advantage pushing us back.

Maher came into his own with some great handling as shots became more positive. Then a disaster as Maher suffered a bad head wound in a clash and was unable to continue. Ben Kelly took the gloves. Anderton came off the bench taking over Kelly’s central role making a welcome return after recovering from ankle tendon injuries.

Both sides tried hard in the closing minutes to improve the score line but defences were solid until the whistle.

Half Time 1-1.

We attacked from the start forcing a corner. The ball dropped in the six yard box but was cleared before we could benefit.

A good move through the middle finished with a rising volley but an athletic Kelly took a clean catch.

Anderton rose high to head a high ball out of the box as Portland pushed us back. We slipped behind when another high ball was converted past Kelly. 3-1.

The game continued to flow as both teams tried to find the winner.

15 minutes to go and we rallied. That extra bit needed to compete was on show. Davies went close with a rasping drive and Homer tried a ‘dipper’ that skimmed the bar. Jake Kelly then moved in to slam an unstoppable shot into the net making it 3-2.

Tails up we went for the leveler. We left gaps but were thoroughly enjoying our attacking style and almost got a third when Fisher whipped a shot just past the angle.

In the closing minutes we suffered by being a bit too cavalier allowing a couple of goals to close the score line with Portland going through into the next round.

We wish them every success.

Result 2-5.