Poole Town FC v Kettering Town FC 8 August 2015

8 August, the first day of the new Southern Premier League season; 76,000 spectators at Old Trafford for the Tottenham game and 399 at Poole as they hosted new boys Kettering Town and I know where I would rather be (Tatnam of course). The early start to the season corresponded with the normal congestion on the roads meaning that Kettering were delayed and the kick off was put back to just before 4 p.m.

Lots of apprehension as the new season got under way. Poole retaining most of the squad that nearly won the league last season and adding a few interesting players, namely Gleeson from Dorchester, Holmes from Wimborne and Connell ex Bournemouth.

Questions to be asked included:

• Is Gillespie fit / can he say fit?
• Will there be a hangover from the disappointment of last season?
• What are the new players like?
• How strong is the opposition?
• Will vegetable burgers be widely available for the first time (Biggleswade being the stars in vegetarian provision so far – when I say stars, I mean 'I think we've got one out the back somewhere')?

As it happens we didn't have to wait long, Gillespie rising like the proverbial salmon to head home from a corner after 3 minutes, the ball taking a deflection from a defender on the way in. After the initial shock Kettering picked themselves up and seemed to have some decent young players who moved the ball well in the build up but without too much effect at the sharp end. The rest of the half was mostly Poole who moved the ball from side to side with Roberts on the left and Burbidge on the right. Burbidge looked effective getting to the byline a number of times and cutting the ball back. A header from Walker could have gone in but Gillespie intervened to head over the top, the keeper pawed one off the line (probably not over the line) and there were shots high, wide and tame. At the other end Hutch wasn't troubled much.

The second half was much of the same with the heat taking its toll. Subs came and went and Kettering managed to get a player sent off for 2 bookable offences. Poole should have scored more goals but left their shooting boots at home, Roberts shooting tamely when in good positions, Devs blasting over and Connell shooting over the bar when he only had to hit the target. Burbidge wilted in the heat, Brooks was replaced and Holmes looked lively after coming on but with Brooks leaving the scene Poole did look a bit lightweight. Petts aka 'the rock' was busy and as usual broke up a lot of Kettering's play. Kettering threw what they had at Poole and there were 2 or 3 moments when they could have equalised. Poole should have won this game by 3 or 4 goals, however I would have taken 1 – 0 before the game and it is the start we wanted. On this performance Kettering look to be a higher mid table team but away to Poole was a tough start to their programme and the delay and heat obviously didn't do them any favours.

So, off to Hungerford on Monday. Not a favourite venue for me with its uneven high bouncing pitch. We always seem to face a well motivated physical team well up for moaning at the ref at every available opportunity. Possibly also the loudest and moaniest bench in the league. For some reason the tiny amount of home supporters also have something against Poole. For me a draw would be a good result.