FA cup 4^th qualifying round Haringey Borough v Poole Town

20 October 2018

Seeking to reach the 1^st round for the first time for 35 years, Poole arrived depleted by suspensions; notably Whisken and Brooks leaving holes in defence and attack. With Spetch and Roberts returning from injury the dolphins had a lightweight feel from the start and so it proved.

The ground in White Hart Lane was dominated by a tall yellow stand on the road side of the ground and surrounded by allotments and housing. Artificial pitches are becoming the norm nowadays and this was no exception.

The first 20 minutes was largely scrappy but what little creative work there was came from Poole. However, there wasn’t enough quality for real chances to come. Roberts soon left the pitch to be replaced by Gillespie and Poole’s attacking options were exhausted. Gillespie produced the moment that differentiated the teams at half time when he nipped in front of a defender to reach a cross and received a boot in the face. The penalty was coolly despatched by Devlin. Both teams continued to work hard to get an advantage but stalemate was achieved and so the score at half time was 0 -1.

The second half was a completely different animal. Borough came out of the traps like a greyhound with much more purpose and immediately pinned Poole back into their own area. They should have scored from two very good chances and were producing quality football, especially from the wings, and Leslie – Smith in particular did well to stop as much incursion as he did. However, the game did have the feel of when not if Haringey would score. Poole battled hard but were largely unable to get out of their own half until Gillespie ran on to a long ball, took it in his stride with a sublime first touch, beat the keeper but unfortunately saw the ball hit the post with the keeper beaten.

The game returned to its previous pattern and Haringey produced so much pressure that they were bound to score. They duly did, overrunning the Poole defence and slotting in from close range. The momentum was with borough and the second goal came soon afterwards when Cairney made a save above his head rushing out to the edge of his area only to see the ball loop up and come down on the line for a Haringey player to be on hand to guide the ball over the line. The last few minutes saw Borough sit back and Poole throw everything forward. Pettifer caused the Haringey keeper to tip over from a blocked tackle but the game ended in delight for Haringey who made it to the first round for the first time in their history.

Haringey thoroughly deserved the win against an under strength Poole team and celebrated wildly at the end.

From a Poole point of view this defeat was desperately disappointing and undoubtedly the absence of key players was a factor. However, the lack of strength up front has been a problem for many months and always seems to result in missed chances and / or difficulty playing in the opponents half. Poole missed out on a chance of the limelight and playing AFC Wimbledon at home in the first round and hopefully management will reflect on the reasons and rectify them so that the team can push for the play offs.

Star Player: Josh Leslie - Smith

Poole Town v Chelmsford City

National League South

5 November 2016

The fireworks came from Poole as they achieved a stunning victory to halt Chelmsford's promotion push with a four goal demolition as good as anything Poole have done this season, bringing to an end Clarets unbeaten run of 11 games stretching back to August.

Chelmsford looked confident and assured at the start but were matched by a dolphins team at their best levels of concentration and pressing. Gradually Poole began to dominate the ball and Roberts on the left and Burbidge on the right were often found with accurate passes. It was a vintage piece of Burbidge that brought the first goal as he twisted and turned and produced a perfect cross for Surridge to head past the keeper's left hand from near the penalty spot. Chelmsford visibly lost confidence from that point as Poole gained theirs and dolphins controlled the rest of the half going 2 – 0 up with what must be a candidate for goal of the season. Swift inter passing from within their own half and superb movement saw Surridge emerge with the ball free of defenders on the edge of the area. He slotted the ball home competently under the keeper and half time came with the dolphins in total control.

As away teams in deficit often do, Chelmsford started the second half with more determination and pace and their fans made a good effort of trying to lift them. They did create a few opportunities around the Poole box but couldn't make anything of them. When Poole got the ball they were direct and confident and Brooks having a great game for the second week in a row produced a stunning finish moving the ball to his right and curling the ball around the keeper's outstretched left hand.

At that point the game was over and a hush fell on the clarets team, bench and fans. It looked as though they couldn't quite believe what they were seeing. From there it was a cakewalk with Poole bursting through at will. Surridge was awarded what looked like a 'soft' penalty from behind the goal and he duly completed his hat-trick from the spot (it does look like he should be our penalty taker). Whether it should have been a penalty or not it made little difference to the outcome but it is good to see the goal difference now at a respectable +4.

The second half saw the introduction of Corby Moore making his dolphins debut for the second time and it remains to be seen how well he will do. In summary, this was a match that Chelmsford were never really in because Poole's pressing and hard work were so good. The addition of Surridge up front gives a solidity and goalscoring power to the team that had been lacking. Now there is always an out ball and defenders are always going to know they have been in a game. Poole are tied in second place on 32 points with Ebbsfleet, Chelmsford and Hampton – illustrious company indeed.

Star Player: It is difficult not to give the award to someone who has scored a hat-trick but I felt that Marvin Brooks was key to this performance. He was strong in the air and on the floor, dominating the ball in midfield and distributing the ball well to either side of the pitch. Also scored a very good goal proving he is back to his best. If he can stay fit there is plenty more to come.

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.

Poole Town 1 Bishops Stortford 0

Vanarama National League South

13 August 2016

Two 1 - 0 home wins have given the dolphins a firm foothold in the league and the two have been very similar in shape with Gillespie scoring an early goal and then keeping it tight at the back to secure the points. The early exchanges were all about Poole pressing forward as they had on Tuesday. The Stortford defence didn't get tight enough or close down early enough and the goal had been coming for some minutes when Gillespie skilfully deflected a fierce shot from Baggie in to the net. That did seem to shock the opposition into action and they created a few good chances at the other end. More clinical finishing such as Ebbsfleet showed would have ensured a much more difficult game for dolphins. However, it was mostly Poole and Roberts forced the Stortford keeper to tip a good effort on to the bar.


After half time the match turned and Poole had to rebuff some heavy pressure from the opposition, often struggling to get out of their own half. Again Stortford created chances which should have been put away but dolphins' luck held out. At the other end not much was being created but when Wort and Gleeson were introduced the energy levels went up and the team worked hard for each other.


Six points from 3 games is a great return for Poole and it is great to see the positive vibe all around the club. Weston are top of the league with a perfect record and the visit next Tuesday will be a real test. It will be interesting to see the line up when Walker returns with Spetch and Whiskin playing so well as a pair at the centre of the defence.


Star Player: For the second match in succession, Lewis Lindsay could not be faulted for an energetic and effective performance at full back.

Poole Town 1 Maidenhead United 0

Vanarama National League South

9 August 2016

As TK said, no-one looks at the table at this time of year. Except me. We are a very respectable 13th with 3 teams already having 0 points from 2 games. More importantly this was our first win in this league - indeed a historic moment. It came courtesy of a Richard Gillespie crisp low finish from a perfectly placed cross from Luke Roberts after 15 minutes. RG looks class at this level and hopfully is now fully ensconsed in cotton wool having been taken off after 65 minutes.

The match itself was so different to Saturday with none of the first night nerves and plenty of can do attitude from the start. A very attacking line up was positive on the ball with lots of energy from supporting players to get into positions that were dangerous and with everyone making yards with the ball. There were warning signs that Maidenhead too were classier than the teams Poole had been used to last season. MU had big dominant players and were a real threat from crosses in the first half. They held their own for a while and will be disappointed that they didn't make anything of their superiority in the air. Poole were hanging on a bit as half time approached but were anything but naive in eating up the time (Devs).

In the second half Poole achieved dominance. Maidenhead threw substitutes on, then threw players forward with little effect but did create enough dangerous moments for the spectators to realise that it was only 1 - 0 and that could change in an instant. Poole failed to put the game to bed when it was probable that they would as Maidenhead left gaps at the back. Substitutes Burbidge and Grainger both found themselves running on to balls but were unable to convert and Wort hit the post with a delicate shot past the keeper. But this was a night for total celebration as the points were won in style in front of a decent Tuesday night crowd of over 500.

Star Player: Lewis Lindsay who ran and ran chasing everything down and making some enterprising runs forward. A mention as well for Lee Wort playing mainly on the right and getting through a tremendous amount of work.

Ebbsfleet United 4 Poole Town 0

Vanarama National League South

6 August 2016

It couldn't have been a tougher opening fixture than having to go to last year's play off finalists before the feet were under the proverbial vanarama table. But on a scorching hot day in front of a crowd of over 1,000 (one of them very passionate indeed) the dolphins were asked to keep it tight at the back and give them something to think about at the other end. All went spiffingly well for 10 minutes until a loose ball after pressure was rifled home spectacularly from the edge of the area. A bit of a surprise, certainly for the dolphins defence. At the other end Roberts ran and shot well from the left and Brooks had a glorious chance to score from a header. Brooks was injured in a clash with a defender and Wort came on to replace him and he also had a good chance to score. With Baggie looking lively on the ball it looked as thought Poole might do ok although defenders were under constant pressure as the half came to an end.

The half time sprinklers entertained the crowd as they danced across the pitch but within a few minutes of the restart Ebbsfleet attackers were dancing in delight as they went two up and from then on it became how many they were going to score. In the end it was four and all the goals demonstrated the lessons that have to be learnt if Poole are to compete at this level. All were quick incisive moves with a deadly finish when defenders were just not at the races. There weren't many shots or passes wasted by Ebbsfleet and at times there did look a gulf between the teams. Poole visibly tired and Ebbsfleet looked fitter and stronger as the game went on.

So Poole find themselves at the bottom of the league after the first round of matches but it will take 5 or 6 games to see where they are in the pecking order in this league. We can't set our sights too high and there will be other games like this which are tough but there will be other games which should yield points (Hungerford). An intriguing season is guaranteed.

Star Player: Abdulai Bell-Baggie: The few attacks that Poole were able to make were usually instigated by him and he showed a few tricks and won some free kicks that could have led to something. He also tracked back to cover on the left effectively.

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.

Poole Town 1 Stratford Town 2

Southern Premier League

26 March 2016

Stratford arrived at Poole with the worst form record in the league having lost 4 and drawn 2 of their last 6 games so Poole were odds on for 3 points, but in a truly nightmarish first half performance they failed to muster a single shot. Looking slow and devoid of ideas Poole played with the ball ponderously on the edge of Stratford's area until they lost it and had no presence in attack with Roberts again miscast in the centre forward position. Worse was to follow with Hutchings rooted to the spot and unable to save a centrally placed shot from distance. Stratford had four shots in the first half, Poole none.

In the second half Poole pressed forward and kept possession better but didn't create a clear chance until Burbidge surged into the box and was brought down. The Stratford keeper got a hand to Devlin's penalty but failed to keep it out. Three minutes later Stratford had their only attack of the second half and scored when Fagan beat Hutchings to a routine cross. After that Stratford pretty much dealt with the corners and long balls and Poole sink to 12th in the form table with Redditch rising to 4th. For the first time this season Poole are relying on others to drop points and a win at Weymouth looks essential.

Verdict 
The conditions were tricky but there was no excuse for this kind of performance. The better team won.

Star Player
No-one's performance would have rated more than 5/10 today but Jack Dickson at least made some enterprising runs and chased back.

Poole Town 5 Bedworth 0

Southern Premier League

19 March 2016

 

Commendably positive play from the dolphins saw them regain top spot on goal difference as a largely disorganised Bedworth were demolished. Sadly Whisken missed a good chance near the end which would have given me my 6-0 prediction score. So not quite the perfect day.

 

With Roberts and Burbidge slipping the defence to get off to the best start with 2 goals in 16 minutes things always looked comfortable for Poole although Bedworth looked lively occasionally and hit the bar in the first half. The dismissal of Bedworth’s Kavanah who prevented Baggie from making an attempt on goal, snuffed out any resistance, and although they battled on bravely it was always going to be a case of how many Poole could score. Lee and Holgate were pushed on for the second half with an eye on goal difference and both duly scored, Lee with a crisp shot from the edge of the area and Holgate making himself space in the box and rifling an unstoppable shot past the keeper. In between times, Roberts scored his second in a late tilt for the golden boot award.

 

Verdict:

There will be harder tests than this but Poole got the job done and got the goals needed to outstrip Redditch in that department. With Baggie, Lee and Holgate starting to gel with the rest of the team things look bright for the remainder of the season. Both Lee and Holgate took their goals well leading to a belief that we now have some serious firepower up front. Redditch have a chance to swap places at the top on Tuesday when they take on Frome at home. Poole will expect another 3 points on Saturday at home to Stratford who lie in 19th position having lost 11 away. Then on to El Jurassico part II. Be there or be square as they used to say.

 

Star Player:

Jamie Gleeson who controlled the midfield from the first whistle onwards, picking up the ball and playing intelligent and accurate passes to set up many attacks.

Leamington F.C. 1 Poole Town 0

Southern Premier League

12 March 2016

Poole lost this match by a deflected goal but Leamington  played well, particularly in the second half, outshooting Poole by a wide margin over the course of the match. A largish partisan crowd found their voice in the second half and lifted their team adding to the pressure on the Poole goal. Leamington's left winger was particularly effective and Tallack had to work hard to keep him in check. In spite of their dominance of possession brakes shots were either wide, high or saved and Poole had a few moments at the other end in the first half, notably Spetch's hard shot which the keeper clung on to.

In the second half just as it looked that Poole were ready to step up and go for the win with Holgate and Roberts coming on, Leamington scored after a period of pressure on the Poole goal. That changed the game and any ideas that Poole had of playing football went out of the window as for 30 minutes they desperately tried to put pressure on the Leamington goal. Brakes should have scored again but missed an open goal with Poole defenders committed to attack. There was also a huge amount of timewasting with the referee seemingly indifferent to that. Poole had a glorious chance to equalise just before the end but Brooks at full stretch from a right wing cross put the ball over the bar with the goal at his mercy. The Leamington keeper made a superb save from Devlin's deflected shot which could have rescued a point but in reality the points went to the better team on the day.

Star Player: Lewis Tallack
Always in the game and given a torrid time by the winger, he had to work incredibly hard throughout. Stuck to his task and was occasionally the last line of defence when defenders were pushed forward.

Verdict:
It was clear from the start that the points were more important than the performance for Poole and consequently they failed to play well. Leamington's target was a win and they pressed forward continuously showing they are one of the better teams in the league. Poole ceded control the game and the possession stats must have been strongly in favour of the home team. The goal was lucky in the end but came after a period of head tennis on the edge of the area where Poole should have got the ball away. This performance was nervy from Poole with players preferring to pump the ball forward rather than pass the opposition out of the game, but whatever demons exist in their heads they have to get them out and start playing the way they can. Burbidge was anonymous today, and when that happens Poole usually fail to prosper. New boy Baggie looked like a superb addition to the team in the small cameo he played.

Poole Town 3 Histon 0

Southern Premier League

5 March 2016

In the second minute Luke Burbidge cut in from the right taking defenders by surprise and slotted the ball past the hapless Histon keeper and Poole were on their way to a routine win. With goal difference increasingly looking like an extra point it was important to emphasise their superiority. They could have added more goals but had to be content with a freak second goal as Tony Lee's corner was punched into his own goal by Histon's no. 1.

After half time more chances went begging but Burbidge put the result beyond doubt in the 60th minute taking the ball coolly past the goalkeeper before side footing home. He had a great chance to get his hat trick but was robbed at the last moment. Histon posed no threat at all and look doomed to relegation as Frome pick up points.

Verdict: Not a great spectacle and too many goal scoring chances are still not being converted but Weymouth did Poole a favour by beating Redditch and you can't get any more that 3 points. There is clear water at the top of the table again but Redditch play in midweek and Leamington away next Saturday will be testing.

Star Player: Luke Burbidge. Defenders couldn't handle him today and he took both goals well.