DORSET SENIOR TROPHY
SATURDAY 3RD OCTOBER 2026
VERWOOD TOWN 3 MAIDEN NEWTON & CATTISTOCK

A frantic opening with the ball experiencing more air than grass. Midfield in the opening minutes could have slept.

It steadied. The game developed. MN&C used their flanks for the first couple of raids giving Joyce and Best practice.

MN continued pressure. We looked a bit lethargic and could have been accused of practising for a place in a walking football league. A few chances popped up but shots were wild and woolly.

Towards the end of the half Wallis denied MN going ahead with a saving dive, palming the ball out for a corner. Pope dealt with the inswinger giving Kwaminda a chance for a run on goal. Good feet put the ball inside the box for McKinlay but this time the shot was on target but taken well by the keeper.

Half Time 0-0

We opened well. Joyce Penn and Kwaminda carried the ball through midfield. Craciun picked up the cross but put the ball over the bar.

Energy was switched off for some inexplicable reason and MN took the opportunity of sending a NASA launch up front for a runner, left free by our adventurous defence, to close in on goal and tuck a low ball past the advancing Wallis. 0-1…8 minutes gone.

It sparked a retaliatory period and pressure on the MN back four, resulting in a desperate rugby tackle by a defender preventing Craciun breaking through.

A Red Card was flourished. MN down to 10 men. 34 minutes to play.

MN produced a defensive block. We had difficulty breaking the shield and what did get through was handled comfortably by the keeper.

Corners were frequent but MN were resolute in the area. Then with 22 gone McKinlay took a half chance to level scores. 1-1.

All credit to MN. A spirited attacking spell followed keeping our back four and Willis busy preventing another MN goal.

18 gone and another robust challenge that brought a FK decision, was vigorously challenged. The Ref decided the FK was to stand. A verbal exchange earned a Sin Bin.

We now had a big advantage and took it. Pressure in MN box was intense. But no breakthrough until Craciun volleyed from the edge of the penalty box forcing the keeper to attempt a diving save only to divert it into the bottom corner of the net putting us ahead. 2-1.

MN’s Sin Bin was emptied and a re shuffle almost balanced numbers.

36 on the clock and Craciun whipped past his marker to bury a shot past the keeper to make it 3-1.

It was a torrid last five minutes as MN went for broke and although going close to scoring left the game at 3-1 in our favour.

Result 3-1