WESSEX LEAGUE DIVISION ONE
TUESDAY 6TH SEPTEMBER 2022
VERWOOD TOWN 4 RINGWOOD TOWN 2

Both teams started well each looking for an early goal. Stock blocked a central run with a couple of minutes on the clock and then Fishlock picking up Stock’s clearance saw his shot kicked off Ringwood’s goal line.

Rossiter pulled up short with only 8 minutes gone having pulled a hamstring. Storey came on with a couple of tweaks being made in the line up.

Middle of the park was fiercely contested with McWilliams and Stock edging the balance.

Ringwood’s channel switch brought McHale and Broad into action and for a short period neither side looked as if they would break defensive shields.

We were playing good open football but the cutting edge was missing. Contrary with 22 minutes gone Ringwood went ahead with a ball down their right and a low cross was volleyed in giving them a 0-1 lead.

Mason almost pulled scores level with a great run and shot but the ball merely took varnish off the post.

We pushed on. Stock drifted past a couple of defenders but was chopped down by a fierce tackle resulting in Ringwood going down to ten men in the 26th minute.

Ringwood re shuffled and built a barrier of bodies in their box as we attacked looking for the leveller. A couple of shots hit defenders and one shot finished looping up in the 6 yard box. Fishlock stooped and his header looked as if it had been blocked on the line. Carswell followed in to bury the ball in the back of the net. 1-1.

Was it Ethan Fishlock’s goal or was it Jake Carswell’s ?? The referee was consulted and of course VAR. Result….Ethan Fishlock claimed his second goal this season. He should have claimed his third two minutes later but put the ball in Ferndown with a hopeful volley.

Ringwood’s clearance from a Mason shot was collected by Davis. A ball on to Carswell was chased down by Ringwood’s forwards. Carswell put the ball back to Phillips. A pin point Phillips pass found Fishlock. A good run and shot finished with the keeper flicking the ball over the bar. A corner with two minutes of the half left. It looked as if Ringwood had all their players in the area plus the bench. An inswinger was partly cleared. In swept Smith. A superb right foot volley hit the roof of the net 2-1.

Half Time 2-1

We continued where we left off. Good approach play backed by a willingness to worth hard for each other.

Davis won a hard tackle and slipped the ball to Carswell, on to McWilliams, good feet and a defence splitting pass for Mason. A left foot shot from just inside the area was safely gathered by the keeper.

Ringwood’s response was a neat passing movement finishing in our area. Phillips had read the danger and made a good save at feet.

We were getting more possession . Perhaps the extra man was now telling. Storey shot over the bar. Another attack and Broad created an opportunity for McWilliams with a great run and cross but McWilliams shot was down the keepers throat.

Ringwood’s counter attacks from defensive clearances gave Sumers and Smith plenty to do, but both central defenders were on top of their game and little got through.

18 minutes in and McMonagle came on for Fishlock.

The game lost some flair for a time and the slow down was more helpful to Ringwood than us.

Broad broke up a Ringwood attack and a line ball to Mason gave a half chance to improve the goal tally. The side netting was the recipient of the shot.

36 minutes saw the long awaited goal. McWilliams pivoted in the box to steer the ball past a defender and then hit a screamer to make it 3-1.

A minute later….squeaky bum time. Ringwood broke through…3-2.

All credit to Ringwood they went for broke. All outfield players were in our third and the keeper was camped in the centre circle.

44 minutes a ball cleared from a Ringwood attack was collected by Carswell. A good run and the ball whipped past an advancing keeper to make it 4-2.

The referee blew shortly after closing an enthralling match and a pleasing one for spectators.

Result. 4-2.