Poole Town 1 Oxford City 3

Vanarama National League South

15 October 2016

With 4 on loan players from Oxford United prominent, City belied their lowly National League position to deservedly take all 3 points at Tatnam. Fondup opened the scoring after 23 minutes hitting home a cutback. Burbidge looked lively and fizzed a cross shot wide before a penalty decision went the way of Oxford and it was all uphill from 2 - 0 down.

In spite of losing Pettifer at an early stage Poole should have had high hopes in the second half of getting something out of the game. They pulled a goal back through substitute Surridge but couldn't find anything else and much travelled Jefferson Louis supplied the sucker punch in injury time.

Poole were below their best and Michael Walker who has dug them out of a hole a few times didn't get on to the pitch due to the early injury to Pettifer. Surridge again impressed, scoring a third in 3 games and surely must start the next match. However those who saw the 2 - 0 win away to Hapton the previous week wouldn't have recognised the Poole team that played today. It was very much 'After the Lord Mayor's Show'.

Star Player: Sam Surridge who came on and scored with another good finish to give Poole some hope

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.

Poole Town 1 Bath City 0

Vanarama National League South

29 August 2016

This is the time of year when teams do start to notice positions in the league table and Bath came to Tatnam showing due respect for Poole's early play off position place. An early departure for goalie Hutchings threw Rees in at the deep end and he did have a fair bit to do, proving himself an able stand in. Bath found themselves one place behing Poole and prepared for a cagey game. They probed Poole's defence without committing too many resources forward in attack and Poole did the same. Poole had plenty of possession and Burbidge got clear a few times but there was no-one in the centre able to finish things off. By half time Poole had only had one shot on goal and if there was to be a winner it looked like Bath who had several near misses and shots saved.

Bath came out stronger in the second half and fancied their chances of winning, pressing forward a bit more urgently. They continued to out shoot Poole by some distance but never had the killer instinct and eventually introduced substitutes to try to break the deadlock. With the Poole fans settling for a well earned point against a good team, the ball fell to Walker on the edge of the area and he had no hesitation in striking the ball sweetly through a crowd of players into the net. Bath shocked by another Poole smash and grab, celebrations wild, 12 points above the relegation zone and looking up.

Poole's injury crisis deepens with Hutch and Petts seemingly added to the list and there were some interesting positional changes today which for me didn't quite work. However as a group you can't fault anything they have done so far this season. Defender Taylor Rice (27) with Panamanian league experience joins the squad and looks sure to get some early experience on the pitch.

Star Player: Jamie Whisken who ran all day, getting into some unfamiliar positions and used the ball well.

Hemel Hempsted 2 Poole Town 4

Vanarama National League South

28 August 2016

Things get easier in the National League South as Hemel were systematically dismantled by a more determined and classier Poole team that played them off the park once the first goal had been scored. Two late goals gave the score respectibility it didn't deserve but is another lesson that you can't get complacent at this level.

There looked to be goals in this game from the off with both teams starting brightly and creating chances. Hemel looked the most likely to score early with a couple of shots fizzing over the bar and a goal being ruled offside. Burbidge was acting as Poole's main creator making inroads on the right and shot just wide of the post. Wort on the left was mainly in a defensive role with Roberts in the middle. Gleeson left the field with an injury and was replaced by Grainger who made an immediate impact with a shot from some distance that rocketed into the top left hand corner. After that it was all Poole with Burbidge scoring with a shot from the edge of the area (assisted by a deflection) when the ball came back to him, and Devlin spotting the keeper off his line trying a shot from near the half way line which the goalkeeper tipped on to the bar. 0 - 2 at half time.

Poole continued the second half on top and Roberts made it 0 - 3 collecting the ball in the middle and beating a defender before slotting the ball past the keeper. Ollie Davis looks a great prospect coming on for Roberts and immediately getting some good touches. Later he found himself on the right and produced a perfect cross for Case to head in from an acute angle at the far post. At 0 - 4 with plenty of time left and Hemel down to 10 men Poole were cruising to vicory, but with nothing to lose, Hemel produced their best spell of the match with quick interpassing bringing about two goals in a couple of minutes. Dolphins looked shocked and although Hemel had another good chance to score they ran out of time and the full time score ended 2 - 4.

In this match with Gillespie sidelined, Poole proved that goals can come from everywhere and that they have the potential to more than hold their own in this league. Monday's game at home to Bath will be a test as will Saturday's away trip to Wealdstone, winners of the National (Gola) League and FA Trophy double in 1985.

Star Player: James Grainger - made an immediate impact and was dominant in midfield throughout. Scored a worldy that is already a candidate for goal of the season.

Poole Town 1 Margate 0

Vanarama National League South

20 August 2016

After a creditable 0 - 0 draw at erstwhile leaders Weston Super Mare the dolphins returned to Tatnam for their third home match of the season having won the previous two 1 - 0. The same result saw Poole take the 3 points and rise to 6th in the table, above title favourites Ebbsfleet, a brilliant start to the season.

Poole are rapidly acquiring the reputation of smash and grab experts as they were outplayed for much of this match by a physical Margate with a lively attack. The first half was not full of good football although Burbidge created a few chances on the right. Poole's finishing was weak with Gillespie not looking quite so sharp as in earlier games. Margate's finishing was even worse. They probably should have had 2 goals before the break but failed to capitalise on gilt edged chances.

At half time 0 - 0 looked the most likely score with Gillespie going off to be replaced by Grainger. Poole's substitute options looked limited with no Baggie, Brooks or Lindsay and digging deep seemed the order of the day. Poole won a penalty when a defender charged down a shot with his arm. Bizarrely, the penalty spot seemed to detatch itself from the pitch and had to be repaired before the kick was taken. Under heavy sledging Devlin brought a good save from the Margate keeper high to his left. After the kick the penaly spot looked a real mess. A factor in the miss? After that Margate dominated creating chance after chance, hitting post and bar and bringing another great save from Hutch. Poole nicked the points when after interplay on the edge of the box, Grainger found himself with only the goalkeeper to beat and made no mistake, putting the ball low to his right with a decisive finish. Margate came back strongly but as their shot tally reached double figures could find no way to equalise. Whisken saw a straight red for a foul on the edge of the box when the Margate player probably had a chance to go on and score but dolphins held out for a hard earned win.

I thought this was a really good performance and win when you consider the lack of depth in the sqaud and the injuries that we already had coming into the game. Also I thought the referee had a decent game and both of the major decisions seemed correct.

Star Player: Nick Hutchings. No doubt about the star player today. He made two fantastic saves (one in each half) and martialled the defence superbly. Dolphins didn't so much ride their luck as make their own.