Winchester City 1-1 Poole Town – Match Report
Both teams came off the back of FA Trophy action on the weekend with Winchester progressing and Poole going out on pens.
Steve Tully made a few switches to his starting 11 with Rafa Ramos starting in place of Toby Holmes and Antonio Diaz replacing the absent Josh Staunton. Tully set his side up in a 4-3-3 formation.
The game got underway in very challenging wet and windy conditions. Poole dominated on the possession side of things in the first half but it was Winchester who looked the most likely to break the deadlock.
Cam Plain was on top form making save after save keeping his side level. Jake McCarthy had the best chance for Poole in the 1st half after his headed effort was saved by Cairney.
Half Time and the two sides were somehow locked at 0-0. Winchester having more of the chances.
And it was the home side who came out flying with Plain called into action multiple times again. The Poole defence was starting to open up but Winchester just could not find that all important first goal.
The Dolphin’s number 7 Jake McCarthy found space in midfield and dinked a sublime ball which found Antonio Diaz who delightfully lifted the ball over Cairney to give Poole the lead in front of their incredible travelling fans!
Tully made changes nearing the end of the match with Toby Holmes, Jam Smith and young Leo Whitbread all entering the action. With Winchester piling on the pressure it was only a matter of time before something went their way.
Within the last minute of the game the referee gave City a penalty. Unusually it was Luke Cairney who claimed the spot kick to try and rescue a point for the home side.
Cairney struck his penalty low to the right which was saved by Plain but the Poole stopper couldn’t stop it rolling over the line. Heartbreak for the former AFCB academy keeper who was so unlucky not to keep it out.
A 1-1 was the outcome with Poole moving up one position into 8th. The Dolphins travel to Sholing on Saturday in search of three points.