DORSET PREMIER LEAGUE
SATURDAY 22ND AUGUST 2026
VERWOOD TOWN 2 SHERBORNE TOWN RESERVES (2)

We won the toss !! By the time euphoria had settled we had to check Sherborne’s team sheet to see if Moses had signed for them. From the whistle we parted like the Red Sea giving Sherborne access to goal and go ahead 0-1 in only 30 seconds.

10 minutes followed of Sherborne attacks keeping us defending in numbers. Kwawinda Joyce Pope and Penn cleared out of the penalty box and Best blocked a shot on the line. 3 corners later we came alive and a McKinlay Craciun link broke through Sherborne’s back line. Craciun's shot was well taken by the keeper.

Handbags flourished for a short while as the game settled down. Kerr examined the turf a few times as close marking became the norm.

The game opened up and we had activity in both areas. A good watch for the spectators.

Bartlett and Kwawinda got on top of mid field and on 36 minutes, after winning a battle for the ball, freed up McKinlay for a run on goal. Defenders raced across to block the run but McKinlay got his shot away only to see the keeper make a good save on the post.

Half Time 0-1

A bad tackle on the half time whistle meant Bartlett getting splinters for the second half and being replaced by Richardson.

7 minutes on the clock and another tussle in the middle won by Kwawinda gained possession. A through ball to McKinlay opened up a gap and his pass for Kerr split the defence. Kerr cut through and made no mistake with a volley making it 1-1.

The game flowed with each third seeing some good football. We had recovered from our opening comatose position and should have gone ahead but only to see efforts go high and wide.

We got caught pushing too far up and with 20 minutes gone a break down Sherborne’s right followed by a deep cross from the flag was turned in for Sherborne to go ahead again 1-2. Against the run of play perhaps but nonetheless a lead.

The game became a bit scrappy and on 28 minutes a few tussles on the edge of our box left a clear shot. The ball hit the inside of the post and luckily came out for Pope to put his foot through it.

5 minutes to go and another attack was blocked by Pope. A good solid clearance found Craciun. Although marked by two defenders Craciun found a way through. The keeper parried his shot. Craciun followed through to tap the ball into the net. 2-2.

It was a grandstand finish and on 50 minutes the whistle went on a point each.

Result 2-2