DORSET SENIOR CUP - 1ST ROUND
TUESDAY 31st OCTOBER 2017
VERWOOD TOWN 2 SHERBORNE TOWN 1

"It’s usual that Kris Anderton leaves a silver trail after him when in motion. In this game the silver trail was replaced with scorched grass as Anderton reached new heights with pace, and delivering a stunning brace against Sherborne."

It was a scrappy start with both teams giving air underneath the ball and it took a good ten minutes for us to settle.

It was a long ball out of Sherborne’s defence picked off by O’Hare that sparked our first threat of the game. Good control and a slide rule pass to Frost split the middle of the park. Frost hit a raking pass wide to Guthrie. Good feet took him past a defender but a rising shot whistled over the bar.

Browning continued his steady influence at the back winning the higher percentage of aerial balls and bringing a steady stream of counters using both Webber and Dyer on the flanks.

Dyer’s free kick with 15 minutes gone found Smith. A fierce header was on target but the ball went straight down the keeper’s throat.

Isaac Haigh’s first game for the Club was one of confidence and good handling. A great save on the line gave added confidence to the defence.

27 minutes and Guthrie slipped his marker, rounded another defender and hammered a fierce shot just wide of the post.

Chances went begging. Smith was a threat but the keeper kept us out with a string of fine saves.

Just before half time, Kimber was felled by a scything tackle. On went the Physios. Anderton was asked to be ready to substitute. Kimber’s acknowledgement of Anderton’s intent was a remarkable recovery and to come back on and continue until half time.

Half Time 0-0

48 minutes had elapsed and a break on Sherborne’s right finished with a high cross that cleared the defence and finished up in the roof of the net, 0-1. A blow, and this time last season would have been the start of a second half decline. This game was totally different and we responded with some good football and increasingly threatened Sherborne’s goal.

The keeper pulled off more good saves as we mounted pressure. Their flank counter’s were well policed by Dyer and Webber.

Kimber linked with Dyer to break through the right hand side of Sherborne’s defence. Dyer was dropped unceremoniously winning a free kick. He found Webber racing in but Webber’s header went straight to the keeper.

Gale slipped past two central markers but was caught on the line winning a throw in. Frost’s long throw was headed on by Smith but yet again into the keeper’s hands.

62 minutes --- a game changing substitution. On came Anderton for a very sore Kimber. 6 minutes later Richardson came off for Manley as the shape of the side was altered.

69 minutes. Anderton got in the mix on the edge of the box and spotting the keeper slightly off his line hit a looping shot over the back line and keeper to make it 1-1.

4 minutes later Sherborne relaxed enough to let Anderton have a half chance. A dipping volley beat the keeper and kicked up the back of the net 2-1.

We closed ranks at the back restricting further access to our area and increased pressure on chasing a third. It wasn’t to be. The whistle went on a good result deservedly earned.

Result 2-1

PS Any alcoholic contributions to Anderton’s cellar can be delivered to his oxygen tent in A&E.