#dolphins 1 v 3 #afcb

Poole v AFCB – I was hoping for a veritable who’s who of Championship elite and it’s exactly what I got – I couldn’t count how often I found myself saying “Who’s that?”

Apart from Harry Cornick, Jalal and Mark Molesley, sporting a funnier haircut than fellow drinker Alex (just), I was very much in the dark. Come to think of it, why on earth was Molesley even there?

I was still hopeful of a good game and the signs were promising as we were treated to the South of England’s hula hoop champion practising for a forthcoming competition before running the line….

http://telly.com/Eloiseee_Gullis#!ZP3KQH

 

We then marvelled at the technology that AFCB brought with them – a camcorder on a huge pole. Surely an ideal job / position to sit for McQuoid ? I’d have paid my £6 entrance fee just to sit and watch him be of use for a change J

Hoisted on his own petard

 

The game started poorly for Poole as Hutchings was forced into a smart save to his left after a defensive mix-up had the ball drop to AFCB’s number 9 and he arrowed a shot just inside the post.

Things got worse 3 minutes later as an innocuous AFCB cross from the left was met firmly and positively by the head of Lamin. You’d hope he’d plant it into row Z (ok the burger bar) but instead it flashed into the top left corner of the goal. Even if Hutchings was expecting it, he wouldn’t have saved that: 0-1

That seemed to wake Poole up and they came back strongly with shots from Preston and Devlin bringing good saves from Jalal.

Jalal’s “distribution” (a quote for AFCB fans) however, seemed to have not improved and a typically poor clearance on 15 minutes had the ball pumped back up to Cann along the deck and a brilliant lay off sent Brooks through who calmly hit the ball with the out-step of his boot, beating Jalal but unfortunately not the post.

Brooks, who has been overshadowed by Devlin recently, then stepped up to show what a player Poole has and that the midfield is by no means a 1 man show.

He was everywhere – tackling hard and spraying passes that gave Devlin and Cann glimpses of the goal and both shot well only to be denied by the AFCB shot stopper.

He even got in on the act himself on 19 minutes with a lightning turn and shot bring yet another good save from Jalal.

Cornick was AFCB’s main outlet on the right and it was his cross on 29 minutes that put through No 10 and a howling miss saw the ball drift limply wide.

It would have been rough justice on Poole as they were carving out by far the better chances with Brooks running the show and it was on 35 minutes that they finally made their pressure pay.

A poor defensive pass had Cann snaffle the ball and send through a defence splitting ball to Preston who, cucumber cool, slotted the ball past Jalal into the bottom right corner: 1-1

The rest of the half was difficult for me to see as my eyes were stinging from the smell of the insect repellent the people on my left started to apply to themselves – strangely reminiscent of the spray we used on the dog to ward off any amorous advances from other dogs – whatever works I guess.

My mood was not improved as I winced through AFCB’s no 10 attempting to chest the ball, miss-timing it horribly and taking it straight in the throat. That had to smart

Not as much, however, as it was to see Poole go into half time 1-2 down, though, as a good ball through to the No 9 had him chipping the ball over the keeper and following it up to put it in at close range.

In fairness – it was a very well taken goal

Thomas came on for Hutchings in the second half and he was soon picking the ball out of the net.

It was on 53 minutes that Cornick bamboozled his way down the right and cross found its way to No 10 and although Thomas made a great save initially, the ball rebounded back and he was able to slot the ball home at the second time of asking.

Lots of subs were then exchanged but without the usual tannoy announcements quite frankly it could have been Lord Lucan and Elvis coming on – I’d not a clue. Wearing shirts with no numbers didn’t help much either.

Trouble was , I never got to see the Poole player’s backs much in the second half as AFCB’s no 9 started to make AFCB tick at a faster pace and Poole were very much on the back foot

Manny (I heard someone shouting his name) did have one chance, sliding in to meet a corner (just wide) but apart from that, a long range shot from Cann and a chest and overhead shot from Brooks (something for the cameras) the action was very much at the other end, with Thomas proving himself a worthy opponent

Final score 1-3

Summary – Poole were the better side in the first half and Jalal kept AFCB in it with a string of fine saves. The second AFCB goal on half time was the sucker punch that knocked the wind out of the home side and they were never to recover. The second half was almost all AFCB with their superior fitness proving the deciding factor

Man of the Match – Brooks – A masterful display in the middle with a mixture of aggression and attacking play, creating chances for others and himself and was unlucky not to notch himself when he hit the post

Not the hardest warm up......

 

What time's the bus again?

 

Action shot

 

 

 

#dolphins 1 v 3 #ytfc

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

 

 

Poole Town 2 v 0 Swindon Supermarine

County Cup

 

Tonight was billed as the big celebration, picking up 2 trophies  and deservedly so. How often do these situations have a spanner thrown in the works by losing the game

Surely that couldn’t happen?  What do you mean Walker isn’t playing? I don’t care how far he’s run in his own time. Who’s his replacement?

Oh

Swindon started the brighter and within 2 minutes Killick was shown to have an embarrassment of riches in the goalkeeping department.

A stunning shot from their number 6 glanced off a defender’s head and stand in keeper Tom Brown did amazingly well to tip the ball over the bar

4 minutes later he was in action again. Again it was number 6 that shot, this time into the bottom left of the goal and Brown did well to get over and push away, especially as the ball bounced just before reaching him

It wasn’t until the 13^th minute that Poole had their first meaningful attack with a corner headed on by Dibba (Walker’s replacement) but no-one was able to latch on to it.

A pitch more bobbly than a 14 year olds’ forehead wasn’t helping control but Poole’s passing was poor with even the simplest passing going awry.

Passing through midfield wasn’t working and so long ball after long ball was fired up for Preston to run onto but clearly Swindon had done their homework and double teamed him to keep any threat at bay.

Swindon were having the better of possession and chances and will long rue missing 2 chances in 2 minutes on 26 minutes as first a free header and then a free shot from inside the box were inexplicably sent wide.

The first piece of home class was shown by a great turn and drive by Preston who was unlucky to have his shot blocked

 

This coincided with Pippa  joining the RWA and finally getting some volume out of the worryingly quiet regulars

It was still Swindon, however, doing most of the pressing and worryingly Poole’s defence started arguing amongst themselves

An old head on old shoulders Taff realised that the mood needed lightening and when pulled up for a foul, produced a Punch and a Judy doll from his socks and in his best Punch voice shouted “he just kicked my leg!!!”

Probably the most I have ever laughed at anything.

The half ended nil-nil and Taff’s cameo aside, there was very little to remember so I decided to break my tee-total intention in the hope that if the second half wasn’t any better – maybe I would still think it was.

As with all Poole games I have seen this season, Poole came out stronger in the second half and Devlin and Preston were slowly starting to take control

It was Devlin on 55 minutes that tried to get onto Soccer AM’s showboat slot with a quick round of keepy-uppy on the edge of the box before shooting low to the keeper’s left and it was well saved

2 minutes later Preston weaved his magic on the left and charged into the box. Instead of floating the ball over he fired it in low and hard into the 6 yard box only for the hapless number 4 to turn it into his own net.

The RWA were in full voice now but I feel they do need work on their diction because as I was joining in to their chorus of “where’s your quiche gone?” I couldn’t help but feel that couldn’t be right

Poole were in the ascendency now and were growing in confidence and control.

On 64 minutes Preston  was elbowed in the head to prevent him getting to the by-line and Devlin stepped up to take the kick from the left.

A low-ish cross (still too high for their number 10 – officially the smallest player I can remember seeing since my son’s under 12’s game) found its way to Spetch who turned sharply to strike it into the bottom right of the goal. Very nice, very nice indeed

The RWA redeemed themselves with a bellowing of “We’re putting holes in your Swindon submarine” and “Can we play you later this weeeeek?”, drowned out only by the gentleman to my left who spent the rest of the match shouting ”Shut up number 5!!” (maybe a Short Circuit fan?)

Summary: A performance of a team that has already won everything, with nothing really to play for, but still able to win. I can see why Swindon are right up there but when it mattered, Poole were just more clinical

Star Man : Brooks – Playing deeper than usual due to the Marathon reshuffle he was solid at the back  and looked a threat when going forward

An extra mention for Dibba – I gave him some fearful stick the last time I saw him as it appeared he’d put his boots on the wrong feet but today, despite a couple of wobbly moments when the ball was on the ground, was dominant in the air and showed the potential that he has

Oi, get your hands off Eloise - that's my daughter!!!

 

We are going up !!

 

Poole Town 4 - 1 Wimborne Town

Fans huddle against the rain

 

This was my first Poole Town away game, at Hamworthy United for the Dorset Cup final against local rivals Wimborne Town.

The clubhouse was bigger and better than Poole’s, but at £3 a pint (instead of £1.70) was it a price too far to pay? You decide. (I decided to still have 3)

Busy Clubhouse

 

The Wimborne fans were very vocal inside and outside the bar but Poole countered with a chant of “we don’t need no drum!” – I’ll grant you, not entirely grammatically correct but it did the job

The teams line up

 

We had twins for lino’s – our side had Danny DeVito whilst the other side had to try to look around Arnie.

We did worry about Danny’s credentials several times as he never stayed in line with the last man but insisted on tearing past him – it took until the 20^th minute for us to realise he was actually doing a bleep test and eventually scored 15.3 – bravo

Wimborne started the brighter with their Keith Lemon impersonator, the wrist-bandaged number 10 running the show with pace and skill in ever worsening conditions.

It was he who capped the first 8 minutes of pressure with a run that sliced effortlessly through Poole and  set up their number 6 to put Wimborne 1-0 up – it was an early goal, but nothing more than Wimborne deserved.

2 minutes later Poole were awarded a free kick 30 yards from goal and Devlin was handed the ball. He changed his boots for running spikes and lowered himself onto his quickly created marks before setting off on a 50 yard run up and crashing the ball onto the crossbar.

He and Cann were the stand out players for Poole in the first half but it was a half edged overall by Wimborne, despite Poole coming stronger as the half progressed, mainly because of the quality of the Wimborne crosses which made Poole’s constant over-hit efforts to the far post look very ordinary.

I did enjoy Burbidge defending a corner shouting “who’s meant to be defending the short corner” only to be told it was him (back to the training ground) and a 3 minute period where the ref used the Lancelot set of balls to make his free-kick decisions which baffled all and sundry but the half looked like it was fizzling out when Cann pounced on a loose ball

His ball to Preston was slightly deflected by the defender’s outstretched leg and this helped Preston to decide to take the ball and cut inside the Wimborne box. Then, just like his strike against Winchester, he drilled the ball to the keeper’s left and into the corner :  1-1

At half time Killick was looking confident after his consultation with his spy in the Wimborne camp – the guy was a master of disguise but we think we may have spotted him…

The Swans fly west in the morning...

 

Whatever news the Poole manager received, he put it to good use as Poole came out of the traps the quicker.

Conditions were getting worse by the minute and when Preston slid in to try to get onto a low cross after 48 minutes it was lucky that the Red and White army were slow to scatter as he’s still be sliding now had he not been met by one of the more *ahem* robust members of the 12^th man of Poole

Terrible conditions - even worse recording

 

Keith (10) was still calling the shots for Wimborne and Poole just couldn’t seem to get close enough to him to prevent a dipping shot which the keeper did well to claw away. But 10 aside, the balance of power was swinging towards Poole

Devlin and Brooks were gaining a stranglehold in the middle and crosses were beginning to find their mark. On 65 minutes one such cross was flicked on at the near post and Adam Kelly smashed the ball into the top right corner to put Poole ahead 2-1

6 minutes later, a Cann long throw in from the right was to be the undoing of Wimborne. The ball bobbled to Brooks who, reminiscent of a snakebite-drinking teenager, stumbled, got up, tripped and staggered through the whole back line before prodding the ball home for 3-1.

In a post match interview the Wimborne defence claimed they thought he was having a stroke and didn’t want to get involved – lesson learnt – play to the whistle

Wimborne heads were down now but there was still time for the goal of the game on 82 minutes.

Too late for the keeper to start praying....

 

Adam Kelly picked up the ball 25 yards out and a Messi-like run saw him bemuse and bamboozle all before him as he ran through the defence like a ghost before passing the ball into the bottom right corner of the goal

Final Score: 4-1

Summary Wimborne started the better and despite Poole’s equaliser, they shaded the first half. Poole, though, proved too strong in the second half and I hope that despite the backlog of fixtures, they get some time to enjoy this victory

Man of the Match – Brooks, Preston, Devlin and Cann all played well, but for the quality of goals in awful conditions, this goes to Adam Kelly

PS, if Killick is looking to improve his squad, he need look no further that Keith Lemon – OOOOOSH!!

Panoramic View of the ground

 

Poole Town 2 v 0 Winchester

Tonight was going to be a very different night – a sober one.

After all I didn’t need alcohol, it was the Prince versus the Pauper – top v bottom. Winchester reinforced this idea by turning out in sky blue T-Shirts with no names on them – thank goodness Primark was still open when they arrived.

 

How were we to know that this in fact was a cunning plan as no player could be properly booked (no numbers) and they were able to sneak extra players on to the field as they all looked the same…

Even the warm ups were different as Poole went through a thorough series of drills whereas Winchester turned up late and in the style of St Trinians, moped about until they were able to go back to the warmth of the changing rooms. If victory was defined by volume of the trainer, surely this game was in the bag

Poole started brightly when the ball found its way to the right to the open Kelly in the 2^nd minute and an audacious chip just went over the bar.

Play though was scrappy and both teams traded penalty shouts as the ball struck Walker clearly in the chest (not hand ball) and Charles fell over at the other end (Tom Daley-esque)

Devlin was now taking control of the midfield with his tenacious tackling and unfeasibly long hang time in the air for headers and had 2 efforts miss narrowly from long range.

On 30 minutes Walker transformed himself into a tank and whilst running up for a free kick pushed over a Winchester player then ran over him. He was on the edge now as it was so unnecessary and still a long way to go – yellow card

I almost missed the incident as I was passing around the “friends of Kelly” petition that I’d typed up.  Him having no friends on the team was the only reason I could think of why no-one would pass to him, despite him clearly having the run of the park on the right. Yes, I understand that Preston has pace on the left– but he didn’t have space.

Just because Burbidge wasn’t playing, doesn’t mean that the ball shouldn’t go right.

On 44 minutes , after a first half of almost constant Poole pressure with no goals, the ball finally made it to Kelly

“Yes” I thought, until he trod on the ball – maybe his team mates knew more than I did – but no, he doubled back, beat the defender and charged at the goal. His shot, from the right was powerful and accurate and the keeper did well to parry it away – straight to Byerley. He steadied himself and shot as if to break the net and I’m sure it did – if your goal was in Wimborne

0-0 at half time: sod this sobriety lark – it was cold and I needed a beer

The half time team talk was obviously worth its weight in gold as Preston had a shot saved on the line in the first 2 minutes but Winchester were still in it as their 6 (running joke)  ran through on 49 minutes and Hutchings made a great save to his right.

Although Poole were still the dominant side they still constantly ignored the easy ball to the wing and one such aimless ball was floated up to Charles on 58 minutes. A half hearted challenge with a defender, though, ricocheted in his favour and he ran though to slot home superbly: 1-0

Just 3 minutes later another long ball sent Preston running forward. It looked hopeless but his speed took him past the defender and he smashed the ball to the keeper’s left 2-0 – a great finish

This was game over now for Winchester as they resorted to kicking out to keep the score down. The only real fear Poole fans felt was when Taff attempted an overhead bicycle kick clearance in defence. I say fear, but it was more excitement for me, as I had him down for an age appropriate hip injury – but he defied all odds and carried on playing

There was still time for Byerley  to strike the bar, with Kelly missing from close range from the resulting cross and for a free lick to strike the post but in fairness 2-0 was probably a true reflection of the play

Summary – Good enough to win – but not good enough to be in the next league. Plus, Poole should kiss and make up with Kelly and give him the ball more

MOM – Man of the Match – Devlin –superb in the middle (closely followed by Jacob Cane)

MOM – Moaner of the Match – Byerley – I especially enjoyed how his voice breaks like a 14 year old girl who has just spilled her nail varnish with every “injustice” encountered

Poole Town 2 v 1 Sholing

Having witnessed 5 AFCB defeats in a row I was very much looking forward to seeing Poole Town v Sholing and I was to be rewarded for my bravery on such a cold night, despite yet another restricted view…..

 

Sholing soon warmed the cockles of my heart by going back to the grass roots of football by putting the fat kid in goal. All I needed to see was the small kid with the oversized kit and bottle bottomed glasses playing safely away from trouble on the wing and my day would have been made.

Poole started very much on the front foot and as early as the 3^rd minute Devlin had a rasping shot blocked wide by a last gasp challenge.

From then on it was the Emmerson and Burbidge show. Cultured passing from Emmerson put Burbidge through time and time again and Burb’s skill and trickery gave him extra space to fire in telling cross after cross.

It was from one of these combinations that Poole gained a corner after Burbidge amazingly kept the ball in and his resulting cross was headed behind. From the corner, on 18 minutes, Brooks rose the highest to head the ball home.

Let’s face it, the keeper wasn’t going to jump that high which did make us wonder why the next 2 chances for Devlin were struck along the ground. There was never enough clearance between the keeper’s low centre of gravity and the ground to score there.

At this point I remembered that the last time I saw Emmerson play, he played left back, so I wondered why he was at right back. This question was asked time and time again as his replacement, Dibba, clearly didn’t relish the left back position.

I won’t harp on too much, but in the second half Dibba fell over and the ball hit him and went out – that was his best contribution of the game. My pal offered to go get his boots, but refused to take his woolly hat off so the substitution never happened.

On 34 minutes, yet another attack from Sholing down the right (theme developing) had the ball crossed to Smeeton. It all looked safe enough but a smart turn to his right gave him space to smash the ball left footed into the right hand corner of the goal. In fairness it was a good goal, but was against the run of play.

We all enjoyed Walker’s ode to the Bee Gees shouting “Stay Alive” for the remaining 11 minutes but despite Burbidge running riot down the right, the half ended 1-1

We’d invited youngsters to the game and they ran to the bar as us old timers creaked our way from the pitch – thank goodness for that – I’d have never been served

 

Second half and Sholing clearly had ideas above their station as they were all over Poole. In a complete reverse of the first half Poole struggled to keep or clear the ball and the weakness on Poole’s left was being cruelly exposed

Walker’s cry of “if he’s there to be smashed, smash him” was taken as literally as it was intended as their 5 had the audacity to show tekkers worthy of a Soccer AM showboat sequence. He found it rather harder to complete the breathtaking move with a boot up his a**e.

By now Charles and Cann had been brought on by Killick in a brave attacking move.

Slowly Poole began to get a toehold in the game and Sholing started to foul a little more regularly. On 70 minutes one such foul resulted in a free kick wide on the right half way between the box and the half way line.

Just as the ball was struck, whipping the ball in wickedly, the Red and White army played their trump card and wafted 2 portions of chips and a saveloy sausage from behind the goal and while their keeper was understandably distracted, Charles ran in and headed home.

10 minutes later from a corner Poole scored again but the referee disallowed it – we couldn’t work out why, can you?

 

Poole then did a lot of running into corners and were almost made to pay as a last gasp Sholing attack on the left had the ball crossed in and just poked wide by their attacker at full stretch

Summary – A well below par performance but despite it being ugly, it was still a win. Positives were the Burbidge/Emmerson partnership and the fact that Poole have such attacking options on the bench. Negatives – not enough strength in depth in defence

Star Man – Emmerson – looks effortless on the ball and let no-one past in defence (Burbidge has every right to feel disappointed)

 

Poole Town 4 v 1 Taunton Town

A warmer night tonight and so I was down to the basic 7-8 layers.

We arrived later than usual so had to give the bar a miss and head straight for the pitch. I must say, like most grounds I was a little disappointed with the restricted view I had

How Can I see past this?

 

It was at this point I realised I’d forgotten my glasses and once announced I had to look into the pained expressions on my friends’ faces as they realised the awful truth – they were going to have to keep telling me who had the ball and what was going on.

In fairness I went into the changing rooms before the game and asked whether the players wouldn’t mind wearing sandwich boards with their names on, or at the very least celebrate their goals near me. I left as Walker approached me menacingly….

The 12 year old referee started the game a few minutes late and Poole were quickly on the attack.

Preston on the left and Burbidge on the right were giving their right and left backs a torrid time and powerful crosses saw Brooks go close twice – to be fair he deserved the chances after almost being scythed in half after 2 minutes by their no 7

On 20 minutes Burbidge took matters into his own hands by stinging the keeper’s hands from a tight angle but Taunton countered immediately with practically their first attack of the night down the right with a left footed curler just going wide.

It was a rare counter indeed as Poole had wave upon wave of attack with Devlin having 2 crashing shots in 2 minutes that the keeper did well to save.

I do have to mention the keeper at this point. How unlucky it was for him to have just put in for his incapacity benefit claim before the game and the benefit’s officer turning up at the match.

The keeper spotted him in the crowd and so cleverly showed him that when retrieving the ball, he could in fact only travel at 2mph and every time he caught the ball he fell over afterwards. On this performance, the cheque is in the post.

I thought then that Burbidge had got Comic Relief mixed up with Children in Need as he came on to the pitch bandaged up like Pudsey bear but when he came close you could see that he was badly dazed. In my opinion he shouldn’t have been asked to come back on to the pitch and it’s a credit to his bravery that he saw the half out

HT 0-0

Charles came on for Burbidge and for some reason that seemed to knock the stuffing out of Poole. It was almost a complete reversal of the first half as Taunton took hold of the game. This wasn’t meant to happen – I thought they came here for the draw

Their keeper still did want the draw – why doesn’t  Poole have ball boys? That would save all this time wasting nonsense.

After 15 minutes of pressure and several good chances wasted by Taunton, the rest of the team decided the keeper was right and started wasting time by kicking the ball out of the ground.

By the time Brooks fired over on 63 minutes the ball bag only contained a golf ball, a basket ball and Zoe Ball so the RWA chipped in by retrieving and throwing it back

Emerson was really starting to come into the game and it was he who finally unlocked the resolute Taunton defence on 66 minutes.

He ran down the left and crossed into the middle and the ball was met, on the volley, by Charles who put the ball into the far corner 1-0

Two minutes later the ball was played up to Charles again and he was felled inside the penalty area. A pen was duly awarded and Devlin put it away

Never in doubt

Their keeper kept up his slow motion performance even though his team was 2-0 down but the next major action he was involved in was picking the ball out of the net for the third time.

It was a mistake by their number 4 that allowed Cann to rob him of the ball and he hit it with the outstep of his boot into the bottom right corner 3-0

Taunton were looking ragged by now and when Cann was put through, chested the ball down and fired at the keeper, it was inevitable that the ball would fall to a Poole player, which it did and Charles easily knocked into the open goal left by their keeper waiting for his carer to help him to his feet

Taunton, though, had the last say in the game as their 14 ran from the half way line, beating at least 4 defenders with the maziest of runs before slotting home. The best goal of the game, the last kick of the game

Summary – It was all Poole first half but they did have to weather a tough 15 in the second. Once the first went in though, there was only going to be one winner

Star Performer – Devlin – tireless performance picking up the pieces and keeping Poole on the front foot for most of the game