WESSEX LEAGUE DIVISION ONE
TUESDAY 7TH FEBRUARY 2023
RINGWOOD TOWN 2 VERWOOD TOWN 2

A bitterly cold night at Ringwood failed to dampen the usual push for bragging rights.

Only a minute on the clock and Ringwood were first to attack but met a resilient Cam Smith and David Kerr holding a tight central pairing. Kerr's measured clearance was inch perfect for Carswell to launch a counter. Mason picked up a through ball but shot high and wide.

We pushed on and with only two minutes 30 seconds gone McWilliams found Mason overlapping on the left. An inch perfect cross landed for Burpitt to hammer a low shot past the keeper giving us an early 1-0 score line.

6 minutes and Mason almost made it a quick brace but hit the upright with a great volley from a narrow angle.

Ringwood hit back with good football down their left giving Broad a chance to show a perceptive interception.

Another attack resulted in Joe Smith shouldering off a strong defensive tackle but firing wide from the edge of the area.

A retaliatory strike levelled the score when on 13 minutes we allowed a loose ball to creep into the box. A simple tap in made it 1-1.

It was a good end to end game for spectators with close calls at both ends.

On 30 minutes Carswell put a shot over the bar and Joe Smith was felled stopping a run on goal.

We slipped up badly with 10 minutes left when a ball knocked into our penalty area created a scramble and a toe poke gave Ringwood a second, putting them ahead at half time.

Half Time. 1-2

Aaron Matthews came on at half time prompting a terrific move involving McWilliuams and Fishlock. A defensive wall blocked Fishlock's effort.

The game again went end to end. Good defending from Kerr and Cam Smith kept the score line down but Ringwood's threat was increasing.

Phillips became even busier. Good hands took care of a couple of angled shots from the edge of the area.

Then a heavily disputed penalty went Ringwood's way. Phillips brilliant save gave us a massive lift.

Quality improved on the ball and on 29 minutes of the half gone Sam Farndell latched on to a half clearance and put the ball past the keeper into the bottom corner. 2-2.

We had thrills and spills for the rest of the game. A few handbags were flourished but the game finished without more incidents and both sides leaving the pitch with a point each.

Result. 2-2