Poole Town 2 Welling United 1

Vanarama National League South

24 September 2016

Off the back of a poor FA Cup performance, Poole were determined to put things right and did by collecting 3 more national league points to put them in 5th place and maintain their good start to the season. In the first 30 minutes Poole should have been a couple of goals up with great chances from set pieces but through a combination of good keeping and less than clinical finishing the scores stayed level. Welling when they broke forward were dealt with well by Poole's midfield and defence but were awarded a penalty which was scored.

In the second half it was determination that got dolphins back into the game with Whisken staying strong and holding off defenders to head in the rebound from his own shot. Welling then had a period where they looked like they would take the game away from Poole, probing time after time at the edge of the Poole area but without creating clear cut chances. However, from a break Surridge ran through and finished like a striker should slotting the ball underneath the keeper.

Poole scored the winner in added on time - a common theme this season and it is this willingness to keep chasing to the end that is a big factor in this season's success story. As a game this wasn't one of the best and apart from Burbidge, creative play was scarce with most of Poole's attacking moves being balls stood up for defenders to head goalwards which is something Poole haven't relied on too much this season. Baggie came on near the end and immediately changed the attack into a faster paced more dangerous phase and Surridge was the piece in the jigsaw needed to finish it off.

Star Player: Jamie Whisken. Still playing out of his best position as the manager tries to fit 3 centre backs into the team, he used the ball well and took up some intelligent positions. The goal was well taken as there was plenty of work to do when the rebound came back with defenders desperate to clear.

St Albans City 4 Poole Town 0

Vanarama National League South

 6 September 2016

Poole went down to thier second loss of the season, both being 4 - 0 scorelines. Poole looked as though the 7 game unbeaten run had caught up with them and although there wasn't too much between the teams, were left chasing shadows as the saints lively attackers tore them to shreds time after time. St Albans could and should have scored more goals. Hutchings in goal had a good game to keep the score down and good chances were wasted.

Dolphins were playing catch up from the 3rd minute when a corner was poorly defended but established themselves in the game, putting together some good passing moves and getting the ball into the danger zone. In spite of a period of even play, St Albans did look capable of scoring every time the went forward and it wasn't a surprise when they went 2 up on 35 minutes. Although Poole's powers of recovery are legendary you did feel that 2 goals was going to be a steep mountain to climb.

And so it proved. Poole tried substitutions but couldn't find a way through no matter how much effort they put in (and they couldn't be faulted for the amount of effort). St Albans continued to go close until they put the match beyond doubt in the 78th minute, and rounded things off in the 90th minute with the fourth.

The score didn't flatter St Albans although you could see that on another day Poole would have done better. Again players were played out of position (presumably out of necessity) and it didn't really work. Petts is a big miss with Devlin having to do too much work to close down the opposition midfield. Still a fantastic season so far and at the start of the season we would all have thought 17 points from 9 games and 5th position and was far fetched. Average attendance of 539 and 8th in the attendance stats. is a healthy position as well.

Star Player: For the second match in a row it has to be Devs (although Hutch made some great saves) who is currenty doing the job of two players and keeps up the energy levels to the bitter end.

Wealdstone 2 Poole Town 2

Vanarama National League South

3 September 2016

Over 1,000 turned out on Non League Day to see Wealdstone and Poole in a hard fought high quality encounter that took many twists and turns and ultimately ended with a share of the spoils. Early on Poole couldn't match the high intensity pressing without the ball or the quick accurate passing of a stones team determined to climb the league. Poole couldn't get the ball and when they had it couldn't keep it for long as Wealdstone built a relentless pressure that caused defenders to be pulled out of position and led to a well worked but simple headed goal after 23 minutes. At that point Poole fans were fearful that there was more to come as the next few minutes were a fight for survival.

However, keep calm and carry on seem to be the watchwords of Poole nowadays and they gradually worked their way back into the game, keeping possession a bit better and upping the tempo to match their Wealdstone counterparts. Although there weren't many chances being created, the spark of life encouraged the Poole fans and gave the stones defenders something to think about. After a scramble on the edge of the area a stones defender seemed to handle the ball. Behind the goal we were convinced it was a penalty, then seconds later Roberts chased a lost cause and with the defender trying to shepherd the ball behind he clipped Roberts who went down convincingly enough for the referee to point to the spot. Devlin made no mistake with the kick, sending the keeper to his left and slotting just inside the right hand post. Poole finished the half much the stronger probably hoping the half wouldn't end. It did (1 – 1).

The second half was more even with both teams creating opportunities but Wealdstone's forwards look to be a handful for any team in the league and continued to cause the Poole defence problems. A lapse by the Poole defence left an unmarked player in the middle and Hutch made a great save but couldn't deal with the follow up with Benyon getting his second of the match. Poole again behind and Wealdstone having learnt the lesson of the first half were more attentive at the back. Poole threw everything forward with new signing Surridge already on the pitch but it took until the 90^th minute for the equaliser to come, and what a cracker. With everyone including the Poole keeper up for a corner the ball fell to Burbidge with most of the players between him and the goal. He saw and found the only gap in the top right corner with a thunderbolt of a shot. Poole could have nicked it at the end. Walker came closest but scooped over the bar under pressure from close range.

This match was a bit like two fighters slugging it out, each getting up off the canvas to come back strongly. The match was played in a great spirit and there was enough goalmouth excitement to last till Tuesday. A five star match and a fantastic advert for non – league football.

Star Player: Steve Devlin, winning headers all over the pitch, crunching tackles and great use of the ball, he sparked the revival with his energy and put away the penalty well.