Killick "disappointed" despite Dolphins 2-0 home win

Poole Town bagged two first half goals as they returned to winning ways beating bottom side Merthyr 2-0 courtesy of Luke Burbidge and Josh Carmicheal tokeep their playoff hopes alive.

The Dolphins came into the game with something to prove after a 3-0 defeat to Truro City last time out with the Cornish side just one place above them in the Southern Premier South Division.

Merthyr started the game well with some early chances, but the early forray forward was easily dealt with by Poole keeper Mark Childs.

Poole dominated the first half with a flurry of attacking sequences thereafter. Jack Dickson drove into the box with intensity but the winger's cross into the box was blocked at the last moment. Corby Moore then registered the home side's first shot on target when he had a crack from outside the box, however, the midfiekder's shot was a comfortably saved by Merthyr’s Jamie Cogman, who smothered it.

Poole's dominance finally proved too much for the visitors and with 25 minutes played Luke Burbidge volled home from close range. Will Fletcher initially latched on to a poor back pass from the Welsh side which Merthyr keeper Cogman completly misread. Fletcher was forced wide and initially saw his shot blocked on the line before looping the ball to the back post where Burbidge lay waiting to strike.

The goal enabled The Dolphins to gather some momentum and started to look dangerous in possession and eventually doubled their lead. A peach of a cross from Corby Moore on the left wing was headed powerfully into the lower right corner by Josh Carmichael for his 5th goal this season.

Merthyr were struggling to retain possession due to the quality of the home side who were putting the Welsh side under constant pressure, but the last action of the half fel to the visitors. Mark Childs was rooted to the spot, as a daring first-time volley from Ewot Richards skimed past the far post.

The second half saw the introduction of prolific striker Tony Lee who replaced Fletcher. It was his first appearance in 2 months due to an injury and welcome sight for the home fans.

Both sides created chances after the restart and the league's top scorer, Lee, almost made a dream return but his header went wide of the post, then just before the hour mark Keiran Evans and Karnell Chambers linked up well for the visitors forcing Childs into a save.

The game really should’ve been put to bed with a third for Poole in the 65th minute. Burbidge somehow missed what seemed to be a sitter from 10 yards out as he pulled his shot wide after Luke Pardoe's great run and pull back had initially set up the striker. 

Merthyi made a series of changes which seemd to swing the game in their favour and Poole looked sloppy for the final 20 minutes of the half, however, the home side would come closest to finding the net again through Lee. The striker broke through one-on-one with only Cogman to beat but the Merthyr keeper saved well to deny Lee a goal on his return. Then in the dying embers of the game Jamie Whisken struck the bar with a header before Pardoe follow up was blocked.

After the game, NERVE SPORT spoke with Dolphins boss Tom Killick who was left "disappointed" with the teams second half despite the 2-0 scoreline.

“The players had to try and build their own intensity, and just maintain their focus and concentration," he explained.

"This is due to the amount of games going on today, we knew that we wouldn’t have the biggest crowd, so that was unsurprising. I thought the lads behind the goal did us proud again though.

"In the end it was relatively comfortable, but in that second half we got a bit sloppy. We were a little bit disappointed that we lost our intensity, lost our way and took our foot off the gas a little bit."

Poole Town remain in 10th position, with two wins in their last three league games. They play 2nd placed Hayes and Yeading Utd next Saturday as they look to continue their push for the playoffs with just 12 games to go.