So here we are – my first game of the season. Yeovil had
promised a good side and Poole had a number of new recruits so it looked like
it would be a good encounter
Before the match it was nice to see Gary Johnson talk to
some young Yeovil fans – I overheard him say that he was “hoping to get a
result” – that kind of humility is rare I think – certainly went up in my
estimations – and he was already way up there getting Yeovil to the
Championship
I noticed then that every other Yeovil fan seemed to arrive
on crutches – I’m not sure if there’s a calcium deficiency epidemic or a
runaway tractor has recently run amok but there was a Shaun of the Dead feel to
the start of the game (it’s a joke – come on, it’s only the start of the
season…)
The tannoy managed to last the first 12 seconds of the new
season before the announcer turned into Norman Collier and sputtered through
the teams – That’s my excuse anyway if I’ve got any of the names wrong…..
I was slightly disappointed to see some Yeovil fans shading
themselves in the stand, seeing as their away end is unshaded – can give it but
not take it eh boys….?
A minute’s silence was impeccably adhered to for the passing
of Mike Allen – a fitting tribute to a friend of many at the club
The teams come out
To the match – Yeovil started the brighter, gaining a lot of
joy down the Poole left and without Walker commanding in the middle the first
few crosses were dealt with a little luckily but as the half progressed the
back 4 started to come together.
New recruit Rolf Harris (number 7- Davis) then started to
impress on the right with some clever footwork – for legal reasons I’d like to
say that the resemblance is purely physical – I don’t want any libel lawyers coming
my way : - )
It was then that Devlin, who appeared to have rather “enjoyed”
the close season, took a grip of the game. He started to dominate the Yeovil
midfield like a tenacious pit-bull, winning countless 50-50’s and having the
skill to then bring others into the game with some astute passing
It was one such encounter that had Devlin threading the ball
through to newbie Gillespie whose shot was well saved by the keeper on 8
minutes.
As you go through the leagues professionalism (cheating)
becomes more subtle and less distinguishable from ordinary action – but when
Brooks not only pulled at his opponent’s shirt but took it off and folded it up
on the side line – a free kick was the inevitable result
From here Yeovil mounted some forward pressure which Poole
did well to counter until Yeovil’s tall Moore found himself 1 on 1 with Whisken
and a clever shimmy took him left and he fired a low shot into the bottom right
corner of the goal – giving Hutchings no chance
16 mins 0-1
Yeovil were very much on the front foot then and should have
extended the lead 6 minutes later when a free header was sent wide and a
further 7 minutes later it was Hutchings that was to be thanked for his bravery
in coming to punch a ball away though a crowded penalty area.
Poole were very much playing on the break with the Devlin,
Davis and Preston all showing real intent but the opposition were always able
to get a foot in just at the right moment.
That was until 38 minutes when a clever ball was slotted
through to Gillespie and, with the coolest head on the pitch, he slotted the
ball into the bottom right corner of the goal past the on-rushing keeper – a
touch of real class
The half could have even finished even better for Poole as
Preston flew past their right back and cleverly cut the ball back to the
waiting Cann. Unfortunately for Cann, the ball took a horrendous bobble as he
swung his foot and he only managed to shin the ball high and wide
Half time 1-1
The second half started and the heat began to take effect
and added to this Hayter and Madden were brought on – Poole needed all the help
they could get from the healthy crowd
On 53 minutes Hayter gave an indication of what was to come
as he was put through but new keeper Harris did well to save from him
That said, just 4 minutes later Byerley (on for Gillespie)
showed Brazilianesqe skill to jump between 2 defenders, chest the ball between
them, pushing the ball through for a shot on goal. Unfortunately the power and
accuracy of shot was more Barney than Fred so the keeper caught the ball with a
minimum of fuss.
From then on, Yeovil’s number 17, known as Junior, took
control of midfield and Poole were very much on the back foot. He looks a very good footballer.
I’d optimistically positioned myself near Yeovil’s goal but
rarely was I able to see the players at close range
Yeovil were cutting through Poole at will and the inevitable
happened on 65 minutes. Again Poole were split open and at first it looked like
Yeovil had over played it and tried to walk the ball in until it fell to Hayter
– who easily prodded the ball into the bottom right, as any true goal sniffer
does
Deservedly 1-2
The match was wrapped up with 8 minutes to go when Edwards
was slotted through and skilfully chipped the out-coming Harris again into the
bottom right corner of the goal
Final Score 1-3
Just think, if Poole had managed to shrink the goals instead
of just the pitch (or was that just me) then there may have been no goals at
all : - )
Summary – Poole should take great heart from battling so
well against a Championship side. The heat didn’t help and there were a number
of new additions but each and every one looked like they are here to add
strength and ability to the squad, not just back them up.
MOM – Devlin – if he can perform like this now, just think
what he will be like match fit !!
Irish Spot the Ball
Phew what a scorcher
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