#dolphins 2 v 1 #Biggleswade

This was my second Poole Town game in a week – does this mean that I’m now allowed into the RWA clan? – I was allowed to sit on the “regulars” bench – it fair brought a tear to my eye

Not, in fairness, as much as watching the ex-team mascot drink his bodyweight in lager, except for the pint that he threw over his lifelong chauffeur (and there’s no “indication” of an end to that)

Still, from those of us in the know, bravo sir!!!!

The game started with the usual handshakes which are normally boring but for the Cann hang-time after the formalities were over….

 

So, we’re playing a side with a comic name that I’ve never heard of – this is going to be easy, right?

Well, the way the game started, you’d think so. In the first 2 minutes Devlin, Gillespie and Preston all had smart, low shots all well save by the Biggleswade keeper, who would get my opposition man of the match nomination

The first 15 minutes were all Poole with the ball hardly making it out of the opposition half, spurred on by rousing shouts of “winners winners winners” from the defence that have bonded as if there never was a #terra in their midst…

One time Biggleswade did make it out of their half their number 11 (Woolf?) screamed “how many more times?” at a perceived foul – I shouted “it’s only been 10 minutes” and he looked like he was going to reply but decided against it – good man – restraint is something to be applauded

Biggleswade’s first chance came on 15 minutes when a good move down the right fell to Lewis (No 8) and he fired over the bar from the edge of the box

On 19 minutes a cross from the left was met with a full blooded header from Davies which the keeper did well to parry but the ball fell to Gillespie whose point blank shot was again brilliantly saved – who were we up against, Joe Hart? (ok true we’d be winning by now….)

On 24 minutes, superman turned into the great spectator as he could do nothing to stop Poole Town from finally taking the lead.

A ball was played into Preston with his back to goal on the edge of the box and he collected, pirouetted and smashed it into the top right corner. There were some isolated calls for offside but even the keeper looked like he applauded as he picked the ball up – a touch of class from him as it looked like it needed that kind of strike to beat him

The game seemed to play itself out for the rest of the half with the unthinkable happening – Biggleswade were coming back into it

A couple of half chances saw shots go straight at Thomas and marginally wide but the best chance came in injury time when Preston was harshly adjudged to have fouled just outside the box and the resultant free kick was struck well by Daniel (No 6) and was well held by Thomas to his right

While we’re at it, I was surprised to see Devlin play after his previous red, especially as Hutchings hadn’t made the team. I suppose maybe Hutchings  is still sitting in the naughty corner….

Half time and it’s 1-0 and all looking pretty good for Poole

Poole started confidently in the second half with Preston and Gillespie causing havoc with their intelligent runs -  both having chances just going wide, with Gillespie going closest on 63 minutes as he cut in from the right and sent a low shot crashing towards to the corner, only for super-keeper to save again

Then something happened. It could be a coincidence. It might not, but the captain was substituted for Byerley.

Now I’m no fan of a captain playing up front – to me it’s like having the parrot steer the pirate ship rather than Blackbeard.

But the change was made and not for the good as far as Poole was concerned

Poole forgot how to pass, tackle, shoot, run, walk, stand, swear………

But that’s doing Biggleswade an injustice. A team that had looked disjointed all of sudden pulled together and gelled like team that really WANTED to win

Reminiscent of the Bayern / Chelsea game Biggleswade lay siege on the Poole goal and only resolute defence kept Biggleswade out, until just the 83^rd minute when a cross from the left caused mayhem in the penalty box and Reed poked home from close range

The score was now 1-1 and no-one could deny that they deserved it – I just hoped that we could hold on for the draw

It was back against the wall until the 90^th minute, when Poole broke against the run of play and got  a corner

In fairness, when the whistle went I’d hoped it was the end of the game. I’d only been to one game this season and that had stopped Poole’s 100% results so I didn’t want to bring any worse to the team

But as the ball was floated over, James Whisken staked his claim to be new cult hero as he soared above the Biggleswade defence and powered his header towards goal. Then, Gillespie, like a goal poaching ninja snuck in between two defenders vying to clear the ball and headed it home from close range

Against the run of play, against all odds, Poole had won 2-1

Summary – A very good first half but concentration went in the second and a game which should have been easily won in the first 45 could so easily have been lost. As I write this, I’m still metaphorically scratching my head as to how they pulled this result out. Hopefully this will be a valuable lesson learnt today – the game is a 90 minute game and at this level, any dip in focus will see points slip through fingers

Star Man – Gillespie – Not only for the last minute goal (although this did help) but for the tireless, clever running that had the Biggleswade defence not know whether they were coming or going

 

Action Picture

 

Poole Town Fans enjoying a cola