Verwood get three points at King George

The mighty Ferndown Locomotive met AFC Verwood at a fog blessed King George V playing fields, with the lads determined to put last weeks embarrassment firmly behind them. Depleted on the numbers the manager aka the injured ‘Iron Paws Cashmore’ was forced into a shuffle of personnel and formation.

The cat Kris Legg started in goal, with a back three comprising of Neil Dall , Matty Skip Robinson and Jimmy  Redford.  Keen to bolster numbers in midfield Big Jim was accompanied by Kirkster and Jacko, with Smithy and Polish on the flanks. The absence of Rik, Ali & Cleasey meant Big Dave got the nod upfront with The Haines.

As the sun crept out, the Locomotive started with the wind in their sails with some defiant and organised defending and some neat fluid forward movements with both Smithy and Polish getting involved early on up the flanks. With Kirk and Keith both starting to control the middle of the park, Loco fashioned the first chance of the encounter with the Haines skipping past the sluggish left back to whip it in for the galloping Jim who was unable to connect leaving the goal gaping!

Wanting to take advantage of our superior height a number of set pieces and corners followed with Keith and Jimmy looking dangerous but still the deadlock could not be broken. In goal Kris Leggs continued kicking improvement created a chance for Haines, utilising on a defensive mix up (I expect he aimed for Dave hence the confusion). With the ball bouncing over the final man, Haines latched onto it stretching to strike it past the on coming goalkeeper, with defenders chasing back to intercept, the effort alas did not have the legs to nestle in the net. With a number of chances squandered it was surely just a matter of time.

After half an hour, first blood unfortunately fell to Verwood. They broke down the right after claiming possession in what was a debatable foul on Dave (thankyou to Mr Cashmore Sr for refereeing by the way), getting to the by line the winger pulled it back for a Verwood striker to side foot it home through a sea of Loco legs.

As the half ebbed away and Loco determined to get back into the fixture a sweeping move broke down the left. Dave fought to hold up the ball only to thread it through to a marauding Chris Hopkins who expertly shrugged off the defender to thrash it, side footed past the ‘keeper, a ferocious solo celebration followed only for the Linesman to gun the excited Polish migrant down as he held his flag aloft …a debatable offside!

Half time: Ferndown Locomotive 0 -1 AFC Verwood

A half time Cashmore pep talk (minus the cotton mouth) fuelled Loco for a sun drenched second half. The dominance wasn’t to be continued however as Verwood started to gain possession and monopolise the creative movement restricting the Loco wing backs influence on the game. The defensive threesome valiantly kept Verwood at bay with Robinsons last minute toe-ins, Jimmy putting his head to use and Neil distributing for rare Loco attacks. The game was to descend into hand-bags, with late tackles, blue language, shirt pulling and angry looks (‘he wants to punch me ref’ quote Eaton) keeping the ref on his toes.

The half continued as the best Loco moves came through eventual MOM Jims excellent distribution often ending in set pieces, which Jacko and Jim were unlucky not to convert. This pressure did pay off in the end with Jacko deftly striding past the left back, pulling it back to a tumbling Dave who beat two players to sweep the ball in. 1-1!

As tempers flared Verwood fed of the bad vibes and responded by stretching the play to the flanks, and by keeping possession and playing football in our half, an inevitable winner was in the air. Minutes later the sustained pressure told and the black and yellow of Verwood stroked the ball home. During the move Skipper Matty ‘Sugar Ray’ Robinson (quote Gricey) was blinded by the red mist in an in-box incident governed only by Queensbury rules, this was to cement his post-match Gimp award. 2-1 Verwood.

The game was nearing a conclusion, giving a chance for Cashmore to make history by introducing Loco’s youngest senior player, the Chairmans son Scott….. for the last 20 minutes, aged 15 years and 50 weeks who came in for Hopkins at wing back.

The game ended with a Loco defeat, however with huge encouragement coming from some solid defending, sweeping thrusts forward and neat passing, time to draw a line under it and stride on proudly….we can’t be too far off boys!!! Chin up hey!!

Final Score: Ferndown Locomotive 1-2 AFC Verwood

A big thank you must go out to Jonny Haines for writing this match report, you did us proud Jonny.