50s: So much drama – too much if anything!

Storm 1-1 Eastleigh

There would be a tough start to the day for us in the shape of Eastleigh who were second in the league at the start of the day. We started on the front foot and went a goal up after a great team move and a fine finish by Chris Short. Eastleigh fought back in a close game in which both sides had opportunities.

We handed Eastleigh a guilt-edged opportunity to draw level when we conceded a penalty for four non-walking offences. However, Storm’s goalkeeper Billy (Bulloch) was in no mood to be generous and produced a magnificent save to retain our slim advantage.

About mid-way through the second half Eastleigh were given a freekick just outside our area. The resultant shot found its way past the wall and Billy to level the match at one-a-piece. Then came a match winning opportunity for us… with the last kick if the game, Gary had an opportunity from the penalty spot, but Eastleigh’s ‘keeper was equal to the effort and the match ended all square. It’s fair to say Gary left the pitch less than happy.

Storm 2-0 Bournemouth

Disappointed with the Eastleigh result and keen to build on our previous win against the reigning champions (in league round one), Storm started the Bournemouth fixture in determined fashion. The early stages saw Bournemouth knocking the ball around confidently, but without really causing us any problems.

Then it was Storms turn to play with confidence – a period of play which ended with quick feet from Gary (Craig) getting him through the defensive line and slotting past the Bournemouth ‘keeper. Just a few minutes after that, and before half-time, Storm doubled their lead when Mike (Excell) squeezed the ball in from an acute angle to open his DSWFC goal-scoring account.

Storm remained solid in defence during the second half, kept Bournemouth quiet, and employed excellent game management to record back-to-back victories over the defending champions.

Storm 1-1 Sherborne

Between the high of the Bournemouth result, and our final fixture against Sherborne, we had a 90 minute break! In that time the rain started to fall and the temperature dropped – not ideal preparation for a match against a team whose league position owes more to missing a whole round of fixtures earlier in the season, than their ability.

We were slow to get going and created very little in the way of chances, and needed Billy in goal to bail us out more than once. A few tactical changes were made at half-time and that helped, but it wasn’t a surprise when Sherborne took the lead with a great goal by their striker.

Sherborne were resilient, and time was running out when we were awarded a penalty for non-walking offences. Gary stepped up, looking to make amends for his miss against Eastleigh, and smashed it in despite the ‘keeper guessing and diving the right way. A draw was saved, which was a relief after a poor performance.

Unbeaten on the day, and remaining third in the table were both satisfying, but ultimately, five points was disappointing, but everything is still to play for during the last rounds of the season in March and April.

Thunder 2-2 Bournemouth Whites

Before the day started we felt our opening fixture, against Bournemouth Whites, was likely our best opportunity for three points in League Round Four. There was a case to argue otherwise though – in League Round Three (also in Dorchester) The Whites had drawn with Dorchester (0-0) and beaten Verwood (3-0).

The first half went well, and we went in at half-time 2-0 up with goals from Captain Dave Lodge and Chris Cockwell – both of which were created by temporary striker, Nick Webb. But then the second half happened, which is when we hit the self-destruct button! Initially after the break, our defending was poor and we were toothless going forward, but then a penalty was conceded, and that’s when we completely lost our heads!

Mark (Cope) in our goal made (another) crucial save but could only parry the ball back into play. The Whites striker was favourite to get there first as the ball came back out of the area. Simon (Allen), who’d reacted too slowly, nipped in and toe’d the ball away, but was judged to have entered the area.

To be honest, if a tackle from the side or even running had been given, it would have been understandable, but a penalty for entering the area was pretty controversial.”

Simon Allen, DSWFC 50s player

With that, Simon’s partner in crime at the back, Paul Gillis, chose to take the ‘partner in crime’ role literally and was incensed with the decision – so much so the referee felt he had no choice but to hand out a blue card. The penalty was eventually converted and our backs were against the wall!

Not content with one penalty conceded in the second half, we then gave away another, this time for a fourth non-walking offence. That too was scored and we were all level at two-a-piece. You might think the crazy second-half action finished there, but no, there was time for one more penalty – this time to us. Unfortunately we weren’t able to convert it and both teams had to be satisfied with a ‘Desmond’.

Thunder 0-4 Amesbury

After the insanity of our opening match, we were straight back on for a fixture against league toppers Amesbury. The opportunity for more drama was definitely in the air – we’d not had a chance for a post-mortem and emotions were still running high!

We really dug-in for the first half. We knew we needed to be solid and not commit to attack too much. It was going well and the match was 0-0 with just a couple of minutes left until the break. Then more drama happened – another blue card, again for dissent, but this time there was no penalty, and we held on until half-time.

We started the second half back to full strength on the pitch, but got blitzed for five minutes in which multiple goals were conceded. Not only did we lose 0-4, but Copey made at least three crucial saves. The score could have been embarrassing, and lessons needed to be learnt.

Thunder 2-0 Dorchester

After a break of nearly an hour, some icy rain, and not a small amount of introspection, we took to the field for our last match of the day. We were mostly downhearted, cold, and stiff as we lined up against Dorchester.

For whatever reason, we pulled together, played well and defended resolutely to remain goalless at half-time. The only black mark was wracking up another three non-running offences… but then so had Dorchester. Our plan for the second half was to remain patient as we felt they would become increasingly anxious to breakdown a team in the bottom half of the table.

It worked a treat. In their efforts to score, they committed a fourth non-walking offence, and it was up to Nick (Webb) to put away the resultant penalty… which he did. The patience plan was working. After going a goal behind, Dorchester pushed forward and gaps started to open, which we were able to exploit when Dave (Lodge) scored his second of the day to round off an excellent performance, and win, 2-0.

This was only the second clean sheet of our season, the first being the 2-0 win against Bournemouth Whites in the second match of the season! It was also an excellent piece of game management in the second half – a world of difference from the first two matches of the day.

A day full of drama (probably too much if anything!) ended with us collecting a creditable four points. With two goals from our captain, a goal and three assists from our temporary striker, and the second clean sheet of our season, overall the day was a success, but we must learn to consistently better manage games.