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Post by Hatboy on Apr 11, 2014 20:55:09 GMT
Poole Town Preview (H)
Details Published on Friday, 11 April 2014 14:27 Written by Jake Ellacott Hits: 89
The Saints welcome play-off chasing Poole Town this Saturday to Clarence Park, in another vital fixture as the race for promotion begins to reach its climax.
Poole have had an impressive first season back at this level, after winning back to back promotions to reach the Calor Southern League, they currently find themselves sat in 7th place, just outside of the play-offs, with 67 points from the 38 games that they have played. They have two games in hand on most of the sides above them, and therefore, their chances of getting into the play-offs cannot be written off just yet.
However, the Dolphins have hit a poor patch of form recently while they’ve been trying to catch up on the matches that they had postponed during the bad weather in December and January. Their past five games have seen them lose four and win just one, with two of those defeats coming away from home against relegation threatened AFC Totton, and most recently on Thursday night at Hungerford Town, who like Poole, are chasing down the play-off pack. The loss against Hungerford could prove to be a blow to Poole’s play-off hopes, as the side from Berkshire over-took the Dolphins and moved into 6th place courtesy of a double salvo from Stefan Brown.
That defeat leaves Poole seven points adrift of the play-offs, and with two games in hand, they will surely be looking to grab all three points to keep the pressure up on the sides above them.
We met The Dolphins on the opening day of the season, and they came out with all three points after an impressive 2-1 victory at Tatnam. A very different looking St Albans side took the lead early on, but Poole’s Carl Pettefer equalised in the 17th minute, before the winning goal came through Steve Devlin with 62 minute’s on the clock. It was a deflating result for the Saints, but since the opening day, an upheaval of the squad and improved performances have seen the Saints shoot up the table.
City go into Saturday’s clash six league matches unbeaten, drawing two, and winning four. Those four victories include an impressive 1-0 win away at Stourbridge, and a comprehensive 5-2 defeat of Burnham at Clarence Park. Last weekend, St Albans held Hemel at Vauxhall Road to a 0-0 draw, which is only the second time that the league leaders have been at home this season. It was an impressive defensive performance by the visitors, and more of the same will be needed against Poole.
With both Paul Bastock and John Frendo returning to the squad after serving their suspensions, and also Darren Locke and David Keenleyside reaching first team fitness, joint managers James Gray and Graham Golds have a full squad to choose from for virtually the first time all season. With just four league matches left, going into the run-in with a fully fit squad could prove to be crucial.
It could prove to be a crucial match at Clarence Park in St Albans’ play-off hopes, so make sure to come down and cheer on the side.
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Post by Hatboy on Apr 11, 2014 21:09:41 GMT
Saturday's best available odds:
Bashley (9) Draw (22/5) Biggleswade Town (1/5)
Burnham (9/5) Draw (13/5) Corby Town (11/10)
Chippenham Town (11/17) Draw (3) Banbury United (14/5)
Arlesey (11/8) Draw (13/5) Redditch (13/8)
Bedford (9/5) Draw (13/5) Truro City (5/4)
Bideford (27/10) Draw (3) Chesham (13/15)
Cambridge City (6/11) Draw (7/2) Frome Town (17/4)
Hemel Hempstead (4/11) Draw (4) Hitchin (7)
St Albans (4/5) Draw (3) Poole Town (29/10)
Stourbridge (5/11) Draw (15/4) AFC Totton (7/2)
Weymouth (5/4) Draw (13/5) St Neots Town (2)
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Post by Boomer on Apr 11, 2014 21:12:47 GMT
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Post by Hatboy on Apr 11, 2014 21:14:08 GMT
Latest form guide:
Saints @ Home WWDWWLWW F 20 A 8
Poole Twn away WLLWDWLL F 13 A 11
Poole have lost their last 3, 4 of their last 5 and 5 of their last 8
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Post by Boomer on Apr 11, 2014 21:24:47 GMT
An interview with Poole Town manager Tom Killick, after their defeat on Thursday evening at Hungerford. He is of the belief that Poole had the better players but the Hungerford workrate was second to none and won them the game. Says it all - you can have all the skill in the world but if the hunger, determination, workrate and application aren't there, you are going to come away empty handed. soundcloud.com/hot-radio-sport/hungerford-town-2-0-poole-townCOYS No images allowed -http://i44.tinypic.com/34o7ceq.jpg |
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Post by Saint on Apr 12, 2014 11:06:14 GMT
Remember, kick-off will be 3:07pm, and there will be a minute's silence beforehand.
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Post by Saint on Apr 12, 2014 13:55:20 GMT
Team: Bastock; Hall; Chappell; Marwa; Martin; Locke; Wales; Comley; Frendo; Whitely; Watters.
Subs: Henry; Sykes; Corcoran; Kaloczi; Keenleyside.
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Post by Saint on Apr 12, 2014 14:25:34 GMT
Chappell has come closest so far. He saw his shot tipped wide by the GK.
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Post by Saint on Apr 12, 2014 14:31:11 GMT
Poole Town's no.11 hits the post.
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Post by Saint on Apr 12, 2014 14:40:42 GMT
Pretty even game so far, not many clear cut chances for either side.
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Post by Saint on Apr 12, 2014 14:55:47 GMT
HT: 0-0
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Post by Saint on Apr 12, 2014 15:09:52 GMT
Kaloczi's coming on at HT. Probably what we need, as the midfield has looked a bit weak.
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Post by Saint on Apr 12, 2014 15:11:16 GMT
No, Locke's off for Kaloczi. Injury I suspect.
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Post by Saint on Apr 12, 2014 15:17:39 GMT
Watters effort straight at the GK.
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Post by Saint on Apr 12, 2014 15:21:33 GMT
Sub: Keenleyside on for Watters
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Post by Saint on Apr 12, 2014 15:22:58 GMT
Poole no.9 misses a good opportunity.
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Post by Saint on Apr 12, 2014 15:23:44 GMT
ATT: 581
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Post by Saint on Apr 12, 2014 15:25:16 GMT
Goal: 0-1 Poole.
A ball into the box falls to no .9 on the edge of the area, and he slams it home.
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Post by Saint on Apr 12, 2014 15:29:57 GMT
Bastock superbly denies a Poole forward 1 on 1, before up the other end, Wales hits an effort over from the edge of the 6 yard box.
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Post by Saint on Apr 12, 2014 15:30:16 GMT
It's all becoming a bit stretched at the moment.
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Post by Saint on Apr 12, 2014 15:35:05 GMT
Sub: Henry on for Marwa.
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Post by Saint on Apr 12, 2014 15:55:32 GMT
Just a few minutes left.
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Post by Saint on Apr 12, 2014 15:59:17 GMT
Well into injury time here
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Post by Saint on Apr 12, 2014 16:00:59 GMT
FT: 0-1
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Post by Saint on Apr 12, 2014 16:01:13 GMT
Oh dear...
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Post by St Michael on Apr 12, 2014 16:10:44 GMT
Cambridge, Chesham, Stourbridge all won their games.
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Post by citycentresaint on Apr 12, 2014 16:20:59 GMT
Not good enough, won't go up at this rate.
The thought of another year against pub sides is worrying.
Hope lads can turn it around.
COYS
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Post by asaintreborn on Apr 12, 2014 16:25:37 GMT
Easy to sum this match up. "We choked!" I'm so glad I swapped my work shift for that performance. Our record against the top 6 is truly woeful. Even if we make the playoffs, which I think we will. Do we really have a chance?? Regardless I will be there supporting the team if we make the playoffs.
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pirate
Saints Reserve Team Player
Posts: 295
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Post by pirate on Apr 12, 2014 16:36:22 GMT
A hugely disappointing performance.
I agree now, there is little optimism we will beat any team in the play offs given those tactics, and performance. What happened to the team that beat Tonbridge, that played Mansfield?
Can anyone suggest that getting rid of Graham has enhanced the team?
Only if you think boot and rush is the only way.
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Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Apr 12, 2014 16:38:45 GMT
taking marwa off was a 'brave' decision...
...for a team who can neither pass or shoot.
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