DORSET PREMIER LEAGUE
SATURDAY 1ST NOVEMBER 2025
SWANAGE TOWN & HERSTON 3 VERWOOD TOWN 0

Another disappointing performance at Swanage led the home team to a valuable 3 points.

Swanage wasted no time in testing our back four. From the whistle we defended a spate of attacks on both flanks and crosses into the box. Danvers Pope and Matthews defended well with new signing Agheba in the thick of it.

It was a better watch than the insipid game last week with a bit more spark in both thirds. Knibbs handling shone in the opening period.

It developed into a 50/50 share of possession with several mistakes occurring due to a muddy surface and lots of divots. Swanage adapted better than we did overall. 29 minutes was a defining score line when a lobbed ball into our area was followed in and a toe ender put the home side ahead. 0-1.

We suffered our usual problem of not being able to turn attack into goals. Craciun and Harris watched efforts skim the post and go high and wide as we rallied.

Half Time. 0-1

Harris made way for Toth for they second half.

S&H team talk at half time gave extra adrenalin and with only two minutes on the clock they went 0-2 from an inswinging corner.

Craciun almost levelled a couple of minutes later but watched his volley go over the bar.

Swanage’s adaption to pitch conditions was better than ours. The ball saw a lot more air as the ball was pumped over midfield more frequently giving Pope Danvers Matthews and Agheba a need for Ariel challenges.

Best replaced Agheba on 26 minutes and was at once occupied as S&H pressed us back.

We relied on counters following a slight formation shuffle and almost pulled one back when Craciun cut along the edge of the box but fired a left footer high over the angle.

Injuries during the half led the ref to add 7 minutes to the 45. 4 minutes of extra time put the result beyond recovery as S&H drifted into the box and a lack of cover gave the opportunity for 0-3 score line on the whistle.

Result. 0-3.