WHITCHURCH returned to winning ways on a freezing night at Longmeadow - but it was a match that will not live very long in the memory.

Verwood, fresh from victories over Follands and Blackfield, largely dominated the first half against a home side that gave the ball away far too often and rarely threatened the opposing goal, and only seemingly woke up when reduced to ten men 15 minutes into the second half.

Josh Harfield saw a header deflected wide and a fierce Jack McCarthy effort was beaten away by goalkeeper James Collins, but it was Brad Snelling at the other end who was the busier of the two keepers.

Adam Pearson cleared off the line as Verwood won two corners in quick succession before Snelling plunged to save at Tyler Rutter’s feet and then hung on to a low cross from the same player.

The visitors continued to dominate possession, though the home side had cause for complaint when McCarthy was bundled over in the area and a free-kick was awarded just outside.

Whitchurch lost Jamie Mansell and Harfield to injuries at the break and Snelling was again the busier keeper until what was the turning point on the hour, when Pearson was shown a red card, presumably for foul language.

Perhaps sensing an injustice, Whitchurch woke up and not only defended heroically, with skipper Mitch Fear at the heart of things, but through the energy of Scott Hassall and Danny Phillips also took the play to the visitors.

The only goal came 15 minutes from time when McCarthy hooked the ball over his shoulder, it struck the player closing him down and the referee awarded a penalty for handball which McCarthy coolly converted.

Harsh on Verwood but a form of rough justice for the home side, who saw the game out with a goal-line clearance from Maunders and another fine save from Snelling while McCarthy almost added a second but hit the side netting.