WESSEX LEAGUE DIVISION ONE
SATURDAY 15TH APRIL 2023
VERWOOD TOWN 3 FOLLAND SPORTS 1

A solid first half performance put us in the driving seat and our back four earned plaudits for resilience in the second half.

Both teams were committed to attacking football. Dave Kerr cleared a first minute Follands’ long ball into the box and a McWilliams Shepherd raid at the other end a minute later was cleared by the keeper.

Carswell and Fishlock were creative in midfield prompting opportunities for both McWilliams and Shepherd.

12 minutes on the clock and a McWilliams threaded ball through defenders was partly cleared by the full back. Carswell was on the end of it and a well judged pass freed Kerr on the right for a run on goal. Kerr made the area before being scythed down. Penalty. Up stepped Cam Smith to send the keeper the wrong way and netting our first goal of the game. 1-0.

Follands made a swift response but their hopes were curtailed by a tight defence and an in form Phillips.

Ponder and Tabor worked the flank half way through the half but Tabor’s last ball was intercepted by the keeper and a size twelve put the ball in our third. Phillips had it covered and safe hands prevented a leveller.

We continued with greater possession and on 36 minutes a McWilliams Inch perfect pass freed Shepherd just outside the area. The Keeper raced out to block the run but Shepherd’s low volley hit the back of the net making it 2-0.

Follands again retaliated but our back four of Kerr Broad Davis and Smith proved to be an impenetrable barrier.

2 minutes left and Shepherd eased past his marker to unleash a daisy cutter from just inside the box. 3-0.

Half Time 3-0

Broom paired with Smith for the second half allowing Davis to get a few splinters.

Again defences were busy from the kick off with both sides intent on attack. We didn’t appear to be as sharp as we had been in the first half and gradually gave ground.

Handbags flourished and Broad was the first to taste the turf when he was bowled over collecting a line ball. Carswell was next to swallow dive going for the ball just inside Follands third.

15 minutes gone of the half and a run on goal was checked by Ponder. The ball spun free for a corner. An inswinger was met inches off the line by a header bringing Follands back into the game. 3-1.

Tails up, Follands pressed. We defended well relying for a long period on counters.

We had to show grit and determination and did it.

Phillips was his usual reliable self and made several great saves.

Follands forced several corners in the last ten minutes but we held firm finishing with a resounding 3-1 result in our last home game of the season.

Result 3-1.