DORSET PREMIER LEAGUE
SATURDAY 17TH JANUARY 2026
BLANDFORD UNITED 3 VERWOOD TOWN 0

We sprung more leaks than South East Water in the first 15 minutes of this away fixture. 8 minutes saw a gift to Blandford when passing the ball to an unmarked forward. Although Knibbs parried the missile it crept over the line 0-1.

13 minutes on the clock and a high ball landed in our third. A miscued clearance skewed to a lone Blandford runner. …. 0-2

A passive Verwood managed to pick up a slice of adrenalin. Lane and Aweng finally got a glimpse of Blandford’s box but our dearth of goals persisted as shots went wide.

The pitch had more ruts than a ploughed field but it was the same for both sides as the game skidded on.

It took half an hour for us to share possession. Blandford’s attacks were based on high balls into the box but Pope & Harvey were up for the ariel battle and with Knibbs handling on top form we survived and got to half time without conceding any more goals.

Half Time 0-2

Our improvement continued. Blandford’s keeper made a couple of good saves in the opening few minutes as we pushed on.

Blandford’s counters kept us busy at the back. Tackles became harder as we began contesting the ball. Kerr picked up a yellow with 6 minutes gone. A retaliatory tackle on Lane though went without caution causing dispute on the line. Luckily we have very astute management able to control feelings.

The game flowed. Not pretty because of the pitch condition but very watchable for the non partisan. Handbags flourished. The ref had good practice for his whistle blowing.

19 gone and a Middlewick sliding tackle ( it couldn’t be a standard upright because of the slippy surface) caused major debate and finished with the ref waving a red card.

Down to 10 men we shuffled the formation but hadn’t settled sufficiently for a Blandford third goal provided from another high ball into the box. Knibbs saved two shots but couldn’t prevent a third effort. 0-3.

Then came a resilient and gutsy last 25 minutes. We took the rest of the half by the scruff of the neck and although Blandford’s persistent long ball and runners were troublesome we should have put a couple of goals on the score sheet but failed to hit the back of the net.

Result 0-3