Hitchin Town 0 Poole Town 0

Southern Premier League

9 April 2016

A crowd of 712 saw an eventful game but no goals as Poole edged towards the title and Hitchin towards the play offs. A tense game which could have gone either way was overshadowed by the referee who in the second half sent off two Poole players and awarded a penalty to the home team. The penalty incident was unclear from the other end and saw Michael Walker dismissed for handball in the area after a number of Hitchin shots were desperately defended. Walker seemed to be on the ground sliding for the ball and disputed the decision but if it was deliberate handball then the red card was logical. The penalty was not the best but Hutchings guessed correctly and dived low to his right to make a spectacular save.

Devlin having picked up a yellow was tripped near the touchline in beating a player and got up immediately only to be shown a second yellow for simulation. The reaction was bemusement and although I rarely comment on referees the decision was bizarre. Hitchin's Walster was red carded in injury time for an over the top tackle on Pettifer.

After the sendings off Poole more than held their own and Brooks could have scored with a header which the Hitchin keeper did well to get to low down near the post. Hitchin hit the bar near the end with a speculative shot from distance.

Verdict:
Both teams put in plenty of effort but in the end both knew that a point was ok in the circumstances. Luke Roberts looked the most likely creator of Poole goals but wasn't in the game enough to make a real difference. The game changed when Gillespie came on and there was real hope that Poole might win it but that didn't last long as the red cards dominated the game and spoilt the finale. Hitchin played better at Poole than at home but in both games just didn't have a cutting edge. It is difficult to see them prospering in the play offs if they make it.

Star Player:
Everyone played well but it has to be Nick Hutchings who earned the point with the penalty save and never looked like being beaten.

Paulton Rovers 0 Poole Town 4

Southern Premier League 

5 April 2016

Paulton 0 Poole 4

Poole Town 3 Chesham Utd 0

Southern Premier League

2 April 2016

This was an easy win against the team lying second in the form table. Two headed goals from Brooks in the first half saw no real response and the Dolphins wrapped up the points with a Roberts goal in the second half after Brooks again beat the central defender in the air. In the first half Burbidge took the ball from a long way out and weaved his way through a wall of players only to go down in the box when scoring looked likely. The referee correctly didn't give a penalty. As always second half substitutions distrupted the flow of play but Devlin and Burbidge will be fresher for Tuesday night at Paulton.

Verdict:
The difference today was that the Chesham defence were unable to cope with the aerial threat of Brooks. Once they were demoralised by that they couldn't string anything together that looked like a potent threat. Dolphins are back on track and a good result against Paulton will set up a massive 6 pointer at Hitchin on Saturday.

Star Player:
Marvin Brooks; just recently has been missing with unmarked headers in the box but Monday's goal and the two today showed that he is back to his best form at exactly the right time.

Weymouth 0 Poole Town 1

Southern Premier League

28 March 2016

Attendance 1205

Poole won this match with a Marvin Brooks headed goal and had little trouble in preventing Weymouth from making an impression. A couple of snap shots late in the game were all they could muster and Hutchings was called on to make a smart save. In the first half the referee brandished some yellows which caused Lindsay to be substituted. Appeals were made for Walker to be sent off after a foul on the edge of the area but they were waved away by the referee.

Verdict:
An essential win after Saturday's unexpected home reverse.