DORSET SENIOR CUP - ROUND 1
TUESDAY 14TH NOVEMBER 2023
BRIDPORT 3 VERWOOD TOWN 1

Despite heavy weather Bridport’s pitch was playable but slippy.

The opening spell was full of incident with Davis hitting the post within six minutes of the whistle and Whitelaw going close with an angled shot following a McWilliams assist.

Bridport sported a long ball approach giving Reamer and Broad plenty to do covering the flanks.

Richardson and Dibben were on top of their opposite numbers as we gained more possession. Our cutting edge though was again missing as we squandered chances in front of the sticks.

Pushing up could have cost us again. A threaded ball through the middle almost yielded a goal but Mitchell did well to make a good catch under pressure.

25 minutes gone and Bridport went ahead following a scramble in the box and a toe poke giving them the lead. 0-1.

5 minutes left of the half and we donated a corner. An in-swinger was won by Bridport 0-2.

Half Time 0-2

Frustration was evident as we continued to make inroads on goal but not converting.

Bridport gained an advantage when Lowes was sent to the sin bin leaving us with 10 on the park. We reacted in typical Verwood fashion when a couple of minutes later Hockey left his marker for dead and finished a run sliding the ball past the keeper 1-2.

Pope made way for Danvers and Carswell came off the bench replacing Dibben. We pushed on. Carswell went close with a rising volley followed by a Whitelaw effort grazing the post.

We continued on the offensive but couldn’t put the ball in the net. Bridport though showed us the way with 4 minutes left clearing their defence with a long ball and finding a runner in space. 1-3.

We should have had a better score line but congratulations to Bridport in going through to the next round.

Result 1-3.