22/02/2026
A mixed bag of form since the turn of the year had dampened AFC Damerham's charge for promotion. The fire was reignited with a late winner away at Ridgeway Rovers in the previous fixture. The Daggers were hoping that the flames could be further fanned as they welcomed Corfe Mullen United to The Damerham sports field.
Penalties were required the last time these two sides faced eachother in a tense 4-4 cup Quarter final with Harry Jones' heroics in goal being the deciding factor. Hopefully Jones would have a quieter day today.
As Damerham were missing two of their regular full backs (suspension and chasing ladyboys) Manager Jason Thorne opted for an unusual 3-1-2-1-2-1 formation. Pep Guardiola, take notes.
The bold choice in formation paid off, with The Daggers taking the lead after around 20 minutes. A smart passage of play down the left wing ended with the ball being cut back to Jake Wareham, who slotted home with a classy sidefooted finish into the bottom corner a goal prime Frank Lampard would have been proud of.
Damerham doubled their lead shortly after, a long throw in from Josh Gennard was flicked on by Ben Sheppard's bald spot. The ever-prolific Lee Lonnen's inventive finish bamboozled the Corfe Mullen keeper, trickling over the line to make it 2-0.
Corfe Mullen reduced the deficit around five minutes before half time. A free kick on the edge of the box wasn't cleared and despite two superb saves from Harry Jones, there was nothing he could do to stop Corfe Mullen's third effort going in. 2-1 at half time.
The second half started much as the first finished. Chances for both sides and an awful lot of throw ins. It wasn't until the 70th minute that Damerham added a crucial third goal. The excellent Leon Thorne was taken down just outside the area as he burst through two defenders, there were shouts for a penalty but the contact was judged to have taken place outside the box. This didn't matter, the resulting free kick was caressed round the wall and into the bottom corner by Jake Wareham, for his second of the day and 18th of the season. 3-1 Daggers.
Tired legs and rain made for an uneventful last 20 minutes, that is until the 85th minute, The Daggers saved their best for last. A long throw in from Gennard was headed clear by the Corfe Mullen defender, but only as far as Sheppard, who had been lurking (too tired to press the defender) on the edge of the box. What followed was a breathtaking first time, left footed volley, which dipped over the keeper and into the top corner. Think Peter Crouch against Man City, only with his weak foot and without needing to take a touch first. 4-1 Damerham and the game was done.
You might think, after The Daggers recent investment in match recording technology, that this fourth goal would result in viral fame and fortune for Sheppard. But alas, Dylan's phone only had 35%.
Thanks to Corfe Mullen for a great game contested in the proper spirit.
Special thanks also to the referee, it isn't often you come away from a game thinking 'that ref was great' a really nice change.
MOTM - Matty Watkins. Ran, ran and ran some more. Much needed energy in Damerham's midfield.
DOTD - Ben Sheppard. For every Puskás nominee there is one 30 feet over the crossbar.
