PRE-SEASON FRIENDLY
TUESDAY 15TH JULY 2014
SHAFTESBURY 3 VERWOOD TOWN 1

Carl Poore and Kris Anderton had burned mid night oil devising a new strategic approach to our formation. Recognising that Chelsea and many others had copied the diamond formation, C&K hit on the 'Pyramid

11 across the back 7 in the hole and 4 up front'. The referee dashed hopes of a trial run insisting we fielded no more than Shaftesbury at any one time.

A hot muggy night heralded the kick off Shouts from our side of 'hey you' gave an indication of the number of new additions to the squad yet to bed in.

We were still settling when 'Hey You' allowed a ball to bounce in our box and a half shot was deflected by 'Over Here' to fall nicely for a half volley to Lynch's left putting Shaftesbury ahead 0-1.

It took 15 minutes for us to settle into any sort of rhythm but good football was evident as we began playing along the deck with intelligent running.

Tom Whelan revelled in his mid field role and Sam Joy shook off his leg problem as we hit back at the Shaftesbury defence.

Whelan slipped the ball wide to Fisk and a quick break on the right opened up Shaftesbury's flank. Molyneaux joined in the attack and hit the cross for goal. A tremendous reflex save from the home keeper kept them in front.

Good football from Shaftesbury broke us down on our left and a fierce shot was well shadowed by Snow resulting in a good solid clearance.

Fisk was enjoying freedom cutting in from the left and linking with Whelan. A cut back found Joy but the shot hit the side netting.

Mike Snow again cleared a dangerous ball as Shaftesbury mounted a counter attack.

Elysee at right back stopped a right flank raid and then Guthrie made a good tackle tracking back to cut out a cross from the bye line.

25 minutes and Elysee had to come off with a hamstring pull. Evans took over the number 2 shirt and was quickly in action racing down the line to fire a cross shot just wide of the keeper's post.

33 minutes and pressure from Whelan resulted in a penalty. Whelan stepped up himself to hammer the ball into the bottom corner 1-1.

34 minutes and a long high ball soared over our backs allowing a runner to break free and slot the ball past Lynch for Shaftesbury's second.

Half Time 1-2

Wholesale changes were made at half time and a typical Verwood start gave space for a runner to go free and score a third for the home team. A strong lobby for offside (and in the crowd's opinion .. justified) was overruled so we re grouped and kicked off again.v Fisk, Dyer, Rutten and Foster linked up with Rutten finishing off the move with a low shot that the keeper gathered on the post.

Gilham took a high ball and released a good pass to Whelan. A sweeping ball wide right gave Dyer room for a shot and the keeper did well to save under the bar.

As in the first half it took about 15 minutes for us to settle and we were now enjoying possession but couldn't put the ball in the net.

Foster's work rate was noticeable as he closed down the backs and Whelan's industry was a telling feature as we pushed up.

Harding and Collins looked comfortable as a central pairing and not much got through for James Collins to worry about.

Fraser Reed broke up a raid on our left and sparked a counter attack through Matt Jones.

Dyer's input was gaining impetus and a good through ball gave Conrad room for a shot but yet again the target went untroubled.

Shaftesbury rang changes and fresh legs gave our defenders a strong challenge. Collins made a great save at the foot of the post and flung himself across the line to deflect the ball for a corner. Collins headed clear and Harding raced upfield to try a shot himself.

Shaftesbury's net remained a no go area for us. A couple of other efforts either flew wide or into the goalkeeper's hands.

All the squad had time on the pitch and towards the end 'Hey You' and 'Over Here' had been christened.

It was a good outing with good hosting.

Result 1-3

Report submitted by Bernard Scott