With the end of the 2016/17 season fast approaching, it's nice to finally look at the league table knowing that Bashley mathematically cannot be relegated this season. For the first time in three seasons, we're actually going to beat the drop, and it's bloody brilliant.
The sun has also started to announce its return to football grounds around the country, and what with myself being back home from university and earning a temporary income once more, it would have been outrageous not to return to following the Bashley away. That would require a Saturday afternoon in Verwood, so off we went!
The sun has also started to announce its return to football grounds around the country, and what with myself being back home from university and earning a temporary income once more, it would have been outrageous not to return to following the Bashley away. That would require a Saturday afternoon in Verwood, so off we went!
Following a night out in Bournemouth the night previous, Saturday morning was simply a time of recovery, before disappearing into town to locate some sort of breakfast. We were to be joined for the day by Andy, a founding member of the 'English Deinze massive' (blog for that reference can be found here), and so joined him in town for a brunch type meal before heading over towards Verwood for the afternoon. Having arrived in Verwood a couple hours before the game, we joined the rest of the travelling contingent from Bashley and headed for the Monmouth Ash, a lovely country pub some 15 minutes walk from Potterne Park, home of our hosts for the afternoon. With a friendly atmosphere about the place, and a choice of beer garden in which to enjoy the sun, I was in no mood to complain. Even the £4.10 price tag didn't set me off. |
For anybody wondering how to achieve a Verwood, I can assure you, it doesn't come easy. The village isn't served by a train station, but can be reached through long-haul bus services from Bournemouth. Driving yourself is therefore the obvious preferred option, but make sure your sat nav is in tune, else you'll end up parking atop one of the high rope courses at Moors Valley Country Park.
It is however worth visiting even just for an afternoon of football, as the bright sun gives the surrounding area a warm glow, and football amongst the trees is always a positive in my book. There's even ponies wandering around if you look hard enough.
It is however worth visiting even just for an afternoon of football, as the bright sun gives the surrounding area a warm glow, and football amongst the trees is always a positive in my book. There's even ponies wandering around if you look hard enough.
On the pitch, things haven't been going well for Verwood. Going into the game, they were already relegated and sat rooted at the bottom of the table, meaning they will be plying their trade in the Wessex League Division One for at least the duration of the 2017/18 season, or step 6 in the non-league circuit for readers based elsewhere in the country. Following Fawley's win at Amesbury on the same afternoon, it's now mathematically confirmed that Town will prop up the rankings come the season's end. The ground comes in for some criticism amongst certain circles however, as a lack of bar and clubhouse requires any budding punter to find the nearest watering hole in the village. The changing rooms are served by a building away from the pitch, with the senior side playing on the pitch tucked into the rear right-hand corner of the Potterne Park complex. For the first time in many seasons, I spent the afternoon watching a Bashley side dismantle their opponents with consummate ease. 4-0 is probably the right scoreline, but with any more cutting edge in the final third, there's no doubt that it could have been more. Goals from Dan Munday, Hugh Dathan, Harry McGrath and a Kabba Jack penalty ultimately secured all three points for Bash, but the home side continued until the end, and I wouldn't want to do them any disservice in saying that they looked a poor side on the 90 minutes viewing I was given. |
As with almost every club I've encountered on my travels, Verwood are very a friendly club, and I can't think of a single word to fault them. Hopefully next year will be a profitable one on the pitch, and I wish them all the best!
Cheers!
Sheridan
Cheers!
Sheridan