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Pete Morrell - returned with Borough's 1st goal.

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Scorers: Pete Morrell 18, Thompson 55, Fooks 57, Baber 90.

Borough were missing six regular players, either through injury or unavailability, against the reigning champions. Paul Harding and veteran Mark Baber were drafted in to make their debuts, and Pete Morrell made his first start for 6 months following serious injury.

Both sides attacked from the kick off. Borough thought they had a penalty after 3 minutes when Alan Fooks seemed to be pulled over in the area, but his appeal was ignored. On 7 minutes it was Dorchester who went ahead, as Tony Whitfield failed to intercept a right wing cross, and Martin Hillier was on hand to shoot past Chris Eastman.

Poole immediately pushed forward for an equaliser, and a Fooks shot was cleared off the line. Further chances were created for Harding, Dan Cockwell and Pete Morrell, but all were off target.

After 15 minutes Borough thought they had equalised when a Fooks attempt appeared to have crossed the line before being cleared, but the referee signalled play on.

Pete Morrell tested the keeper with a low free kick which was deflected past the post, but made no mistake a minute later, after Cockwell retrieved the ball from a defender on the right by-line and knocked it back to him to drive a shot from the edge of the area, over the keeper and into the net.

Although Borough were creating the vast majority of chances, Dorchester continued to look dangerous on the break, and on 22 minutes their forward should have done better as he shot against the side netting when put through. Borough were utilising the left wing well with both Ben Thompson and Chris Morgan getting past defenders to create chances. Fooks got on the end of a Thompson cross but could only steer the ball past the post.

Further chances were created at both ends, Paul Morrell came close with a header and Baber had a shot saved low down. Chris Eastwood also did well to deflect a close range shot past his post.

Borough were denied a second goal just before the interval when a Baber shot was parried by the keeper, and although Fooks was first to the ball and bundled it over the line, the club linesman saved his team by raising his flag to signal an offside.

HT 1-1

Poole started the second half with Scott Smith forcing the keeper into a save and both Cockwell and Fooks heading over the bar. Borough extended their lead 10 minutes into the half when Smith rolled the ball into the path of Thompson running into the area, who lifted the it over the advancing keeper.

Thompson turned provider 2 minutes later, as he cut inside from the right and squared the ball to Fooks in space who placed his shot between the posts.

With Dorchester looking to pull a goal back, Borough battled well and the midfield of Baber, Harding and Cockwell were outstanding as their constant harrying disrupted the home sides build up.

Being 2 goals up, Borough played for time but should have killed off the game with a number opportunities, but Smith, Fooks and Thompson all put chances wide when through.

With only minutes remaining Baber crowned an impressive performance hammering home a shot from just outside the area after it was knocked back by Fooks.

Considering the forced changes and quality of the opposition, the result and manner of the victory was impressive and ensured the pressure continued on the sides above Borough in the table.

Poole Borough : Chris Eastman, Pete Morrell, Chris Morgan (Lee Atkins 59), Paul Morrell, Tony Whitfield, Mark Baber, Dan Cockwell, Paul Harding, Scott Smith, Alan Fooks, Ben Thompson. Unused Subs : Ross Gulliver, Tom Allen, Matthew Burton