Conditions at Tatnam Farm were extremely cold, but clear, a very welcome change from the last few days. The pitch was heavy in places, but a big crowd witnessed a very good game played at high pace, between two fairly evenly matched sides. This was never going to be a high scoring game, one goal looked like it would seal the result and unfortunately for us, it was in our hosts’ favour.
The first half saw Poole dominate for long periods, especially the latter stages, and it was on 36 minutes when Cann got that all important goal, managing to beat Jase who did well to get a hand to it, only to see it go into the far corner.
The game was a fairly gritty affair and there were not too many opportunities for either side , although in the early part of the game we had two distinct chances that just flew wide of the Poole goal- on eight minutes the referee played advantage when Strongy was fouled as the ball had been passed out to Coolie on the right, he brought the ball on and his cross was met by Leo who was just wide of the target., moments later- in the next attack Strongy shot over from the edge of the box.
Three minutes before the break Frampton brought down Strongy some twenty five yards out, and received a caution for his trouble. Had Strongy been running towards goal, I don’t think it would have just been yellow in colour.
The second half we upped our work rate and effort putting them under a great deal of pressure for long spells. It was just in the final quarter of the pitch that we couldn’t quite get that vital breakthrough.
However with just seconds on the clock, Jase went up when we won a corner, and his spectacular shot nearly grabbed us a well deserved share of the points, only to see his effort cannon back off a defender a couple of yards out.
Being such local rivals many players know each other really well and the game reflected that quite well. Our game plan was to get the ball wide and get at them from the flanks and we did achieve that. It was a very good all round display by the lads and very difficult to nominate a Man of the Match, with Billy, Lamin, Tim and Mezz all in with a shout. However Coolie is that man on this occasion for his tireless work down the right side.