PRE-SEASON
FRIDAY 28TH JULY 2023
DORCHESTER SPORTS 2 VERWOOD TOWN 3

Early pressure from Dorchester gave our defenders a lot to do. A back four of Morgan Davis Danvers and Braggington did well to contain a series of attacks.

Up front we had a couple of early forays with McWilliams and Shepherd causing concern for Dorchester.

On 13 minutes though we wilted. Good football gave space for Dorchester to push down their right. A low cross beat our defenders and a grateful CF gave Phillips no chance with a low volley into the bottom corner. 0-1.

Dorchester’s switch to long balls for runners was well policed by Davis and Morgan,. Phillips was ever alert and was on hand to gather the odd stray.

Carswell and McWilliams gradually took centre stage and some inventive play had Dorchester defending deep to contain a marauding Shepherd and Kerr.

38 gone and a break on our left saw Danvers racing away from a marker. A low shot hit the foot of the post and there was Kerr on hand to smash the ball past the keeper 1-1

A minute to half time and we went in two up from a Hockey and Kerr link finishing with the ball fired into the box. In swept Shepherd to steer the ball past the keeper.

Half Time 2-1

On came Isaac Storey for Ben Morgan. A couple of positional changes and we carried on where we left off, pushing hard for another goal.

Accurate passing was a feature today and Dorchester were on the back foot as we pressed forward.

McWilliams hit the side netting and then McHale skimmed the post with an angled shot.

Dorchester countered but ran into a solid defensive cover.

Good football from both teams made it a good watch for spectators.

Braggington gave way for McCrow on 18 minutes and Kerr took a break for Dibben to dirty his boots on 27 minutes.

Shepherd claimed his 5th goal in the friendlies whipping the ball off toes in the box and giving the keeper no chance with a well placed bottom corner shot. 3-1.

The game had been fast and nearing the whistle slowed down noticeably. We took our eye off tight marking at the back and on 43 minutes gave space wider than the M5 to allow Dorchester a second.

Result 3-2