PRE-SEASON FRIENDLY
TUESDAY 14TH JULY 2015
VERWOOD TOWN 0 POOLE TOWN 2

A strong Poole Town squad faced us that included Tom Whelan Last Season's top goal scorer for Verwood

Agreed before the game was that both Clubs would have wholesale changes at half time to give game time to squad members.

Poole were first out of the traps with a quick move down their right but Fisk and Elliot Head were across quickly to block the cross. Fisk won a tussle and a long raking ball found Swann. A quick turn inside his marker and Swann delivered a good effort that went just wide of the upright.

Pace was maintained. Crisp passing was a feature of the Poole team and both Chas Gajic and Elliot Head had to work extremely hard to keep a tight reign on the centre of the park.

A Max Brimson run and cross, finished with Wood trying a header just inside the Poole Town box but good goalkeeping prevented chalk on the score board.

A switch of play had a long ball from the Poole midfield dropping in our box but Donachy had read it well and a powerful headed clearance took away danger.

The game settled to an even share of the ball and we almost caught Poole defenders napping with a classic break finishing with a Gajic run across the box and a shot that clipped the bar and went over.

The response was an attacking ten minutes pinning us back. Tong saved a long shot and then Kelly did extremely well to back pedal and head a cross neatly to Tong.

Another right flank attack was closed down by Brimson giving away a corner. A good delivery dropped on the spot but it was Kelly's head winning an aerial battle.

28 minutes and we slackened sufficiently in front of the sticks for Poole Town to approach without a challenge. A low dipping shot deceived Tong and we went 1-0 down.

Buck and Swann paved their way down the left with 15 minutes left and Buck's final delivery was inches from Wood's toes.

37 minutes gone and Whelan tried a shot from 15 yards. It was like watching a pin ball machine in action. Four ricochets and the ball slipped over the line to put Poole 2-0 ahead.

Half Time 2-0

A bit of sparring went on for a few minutes and then a sudden spurt meant Lynch had to produce a good save to stop Poole going further ahead.

We settled quickly and Groves picking up a Mills line ball and chipped on for Rutten to have a run down the left. A strong tackle stopped the delivery. The clearance was picked up by Matt Head and a clever chip down the right freed up Moran for a cross into the box. It was Murray who timed it right but his shot hit the side netting.

Smith was noticeable for work rate and determination as we edged the mid field. Poole though were good on the counter and it brought the best out of Harding and McGilchrist.

Slick passing from the Poole side cut us open with 20 minutes gone and luckily Smith had read the move well closing down space and robbing the ball from quick feet.

Lynch was out quickly to grab a hopeful high ball into our box and then had to mirror the effort again as Poole picked up pace and time on the ball.

Moran and Rutten worked the right flank with 15 minutes left and Rutten's cross was inch perfect but no one had followed up and the ball saile into touch.

The pace of the game was quicker than most but we were up for it and carried the game to Poole.

Groves, looking sharp turned his man and had a low shot well saved at the foot of the post. Murray followed up with a rasping drive that inched over the bar.

Mills then blocked a cross as Poole retaliated. A few efforts from outside our area followed but generally we had good cover and with an 'On Form' Lynch didn't feel too threatened.

There was a late flurry of activity as the game came to an end.

Groves slipped his marker and headed a Mills cross a couple of inches over the bar.

Poole then broke through and a shot destined for the bottom corner was brilliantly cut out by Matt Head.

The game finished at 0-2 with both teams acknowledging a good run out.

Result 0-2