PICKFORD CUP SEMI-FINAL
SATURDAY 5TH JANUARY 2008
VENUE KING GEORGE V PLAYING FIELDS
SOUTHBOURNE 2 - VERWOOD TOWN RESERVES 1

Scorer: Matt Newbury.

Team
1. Colin Randall
2. John Homer
3. Will Cobley
4. Dean Evans
5. Liam Morrison
6. Pete Eyre
7. Gary Martin
8. Steve Reeves
9. Matt Newbury
10. Andy Martin
11. Tristan Dorey
12. Lee Pidgley ( for Tristan Dorey 77 mins)
13. Karl Foster (for John Homer 85 mins)

Already missing James Murray (skiing holiday) and Co-Manager Galer (in a Sauna in Lapland), we also had Pete Hunt falling ill a couple of days before and Graham Cole failing a fitness test prior to kick off.

However, having made adjustments we kicked off and for the first quarter of an hour dominated play against a very strong Southborne side. The remainder of the half was more even and Colin made a couple of excellent saves. All square at half time and we were playing well and putting up a good account of ourselves.

The second half saw Southborne on top, but our defence were holding firm. John Homer had a tricky winger to look after, and Gary and Liam were up against two strong forwards, but equipped themselves superbly and Will Cobley, filling in at left back covered well and kept that flank quiet.

It was midfield where we struggled and quite often were guilty of losing possession too easily. When we did get the ball up to the forwards, we looked dangerous and on many occasions our players were fouled to stop our progression.

In the 72nd minute having conceded an unnecessary corner we eventually succumbed to their height advantage, with the first header being put back across the box for the follow up to be headed home.

Eight minutes later we were two down, when their forward turned and unleashed an unstoppable shot into the top corner of Colin's goal. To our credit we kept fighting. Lee Pidgley came on for Tristan and he had a far post header that hit one of our other players. Karl then came on for John, as we went 3 at the back and 3 up front. Well into injury time we were awarded a penalty when Matt Newbury was fouled. He stepped up to take the spot kick, playing a one-two off their keeper before slotting home the rebound. Unfortunately, there was not even time for the restart!

We played well, gave it our best shot, but on the day beaten by a better team. Knowing us though we will beat them in our league fixture this coming Saturday!

Report submitted by Neville Munson