Poole Town were victorious as they sailed through to the Dorset Senior Cup final after beating Portland United 3-0.
Poole Town were victorious as they sailed through to the Dorset Senior Cup final after beating Portland United 3-0.
With thirty places separating the two sides, Poole Town hosted Portland United with both teams having a chance to book a place into the Dorset Senior Cup final. Portland looked to get revenge on the home side due to their last meeting taking place in the same competition back in 2020 which saw the Dolphins comfortably win four goals.
The first 10 minutes saw the away side dominate possession as they enjoyed the majority of play in Poole’s own half. Due to the slippery surface on a cold and misty evening, the home fans’ frustration was heard due to the Dolphins gifting away possession to Portland on multiple occasions. Troy Welbridge and Franklin Clarke, for the visitors, linked up well to create the first chance of the game forcing a save from Poole’s Will Butler.
A Portland challenge on Ardwell Chipangura inside the penalty area was followed by loud penalty calls from the home fans yet a corner was the referees’ verdict. Poole grew into the game with Jack Dickson involved in some clever bits of skill and play from the home side.
A poor two footed challenge from Poole’s Josh Carmichael meant he was the first booking of the evening for his dangerous tackle.
There were further penalty calls from the home side which too resulted in a corner which saw the ball fall to Tyler Forbes. One too many touches saw him lose the ball, but Poole were now carrying the momentum. With a few minutes left of the first half, Captain Corby Moore put the Dolphin’s one nil up with a low and powerful effort from twenty-five yards out, beating Portland’s Mike Edgar down to his left-hand side.
Two minutes pass and another chance for Corby Moore saw the captain bag a brace by putting his side two goals up with a very similar version to his one prior. Unfortunately for the Blues’ keeper it was a deflected effort off one of his defenders. The Dolphins went into half time two nil up.
As the match got back under way, Poole came out as they went in and created more chances. Sam Jackson looked to score Poole’s third, but Edgar was there to deny. shooting it straight into Edgar’s palms who parried it away. Sean Wright’s powerful header caused further concern for Edgar but was just off target. Portland managed to find the net after a looping ball from Marcus Smith found the head of forward Joel Hewitt, but their joy was short lived as offside was called.
As the match came into its last twenty minutes, Forbes’ blistering pace won the home side a free kick as he was brought down by Portland’s keeper just outside the penalty area. The home fans were active in their calls for a red card. Poole continued to show their quality against a tiring Portland side, as efficient and well worked link up play saw Wright tap in the third goal.
It was a valiant effort from the away side. Although favourites, Poole Town did not abstain from showing their quality in what was a youthful side. The dolphins have now booked their place in the Dorset Senior Cup final and will play either Hamworthy United or Wimborne Town after they play on the 18th of January.