Poole Town 3-1 Sholing

Scorers : Toby Holmes 40, Wes Fogden 44, Kyran Samadi 80 / Own Goal 11

Date: Saturday 7 October 2023, 3pm – FA Trophy Third Round Qualifying

Venue: Black Gold Stadium   Attendance: 407

Sholing : Ryan Gosney, Brad Targett, Marv McLean, Charlie Davis, Owen Roundell, Jake Hesketh (Jake Flannigan 14), Lloyd Isgrove, Byron Mason ©, Dan Mason, Jake Cope (Jake Adams 62), Wayne Robinson. Unused subs : Fin Du Port, Pete Castle, Rob Flooks

A mixture of mistakes and misfortune saw us exit the FA Trophy at Poole Town.

It might have been the unseasonable warm weather, but the game started more like a low key pre-season friendly than a blood & thunder Cup tie and that was partly reflected in the opening goal as we took the lead on 11 minutes.

A corner swung into the box was knocked past his keeper by a Poole Town player for an Own Goal.  It was Jake Hesketh's turn to pick up an injury as we were forced into yet another early change, but there was the pleasing sight of a fit again Jake Flannigan coming on.

The game's tempo picked up, especially as we were having success with outpacing the Poole back line.  Firstly Wayne Robinson sped past the last defender, but couldn't get his shot off, with the ball eventually falling to Dan Mason to fire over.

With Marv on one flank and Lloyd Isgrove on the other, we continued to stretch the home side, getting balls into dangerous areas, but couldn't make the most of it.   That was the case on 36 mins when Isgrove beat two men and picked out Wayne in the 6 yard box, but he skewed a great chance wide with the goal gaping.

So, despite looking quite comfortable, it was another case of missed chances and bad decision making that allowed the opposition back into the game.  Brad Targett attempted to head the ball back to Gosney from the middle of our half, but got it all wrong, with the ball dropping into no mans land allowing Toby Holmes to seize upon it, round Gos and score.

Max Evans in the Poole goal had to dive full length to deny a goalbound shot from Dan Mason and the home side went straight up the other end to take the lead.  A chipped cross into our box found Wes Fogden unmarked and he slotted into the net.  HT 2-1

A change in formation for the 2nd half by Sholing as we went looking for an equaliser.  Wayne Robinson, who in the first half was urged by his teammates to shoot more, did so, but a couple of times, there were other players in better positions. 

Gosney made a good save to tip over a flick header and then Poole hit the base of the post.  We then hit the woodwork, Dan Mason smashing a 22 yard shot that dipped over the keeper, but came back off the crossbar.  The ball was recycled to D-Dan, who tried his luck again from distance, this time Evans made an excellent save.

A big moment on 76 mins, Jake Flannigan let fly from 25 yards, the ball smacked against the underside of the bar and when it bounced down, it appeared to be over the line before the backspin brought it back into play.  The linesman wasn't up with play, so no decision was made and the game continued.

To rub salt into the wounds, Poole then scored a worldy of their own when Kyran Samadi hit a 30 yarder that screamed into the top left corner giving Gosney no chance. 

Gos had to make a couple of decent late saves to stop Poole giving the scoreline an even more flattering look.  We now have a 10 day break before our next game due to Chesham's involvement in the FA Cup next Saturday.  FT 3-1

Next Game : Sholing v AFC Totton - Tuesday 17 Oct 7:45pm - Southern Premier

Photos courtesy of EspieJaz, swipe to view