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A large crowd turned out at Branksome Rec to watch this top-of-the table clash. It turned out to be the classic game of two halves.

Poole Borough completely dominated the first-half but had only one goal to show for it at half-time. Ben Thompson caused havoc down the left side with his strong runs and chances were falling to Poole almost from the first whistle. The best chance fell to Alan Fooks after 12 minutes but he put the ball wide of both keeper and post after being put through.

Poole continued to press and Stourpaine’s prolific goalscorer Simon Freak was a lonely figure in their attack. Any time Stourpaine looked threatening they were closed down by a defence well marshalled by Peter Morrell. The breakthrough finally came in the 27th minute when Ben Thompson curled a free-kick over the wall and past the Stourpaine keeper and they could have gone further ahead 2 minutes later when Scott Smith shot narrowly wide after a fine run by Winston Buckfield.

The stand-in Poole keeper John Brown had little to do as the rest of the first half was all flowing football from Poole but they could not add to their single goal lead.

HT - 1-0

At the start of the second-half it became clear that the roles had been reversed as Stourpaine took the game to Poole and started to play like a team at the top the table. They put more pressure on the Poole goal in the first 5 minutes than they had in the whole of the first-half, but keeper John Brown was playing confidently. The hard-working Stourpaine no longer allowed Borough the room or time to play and were winning the battle in mid-field although the Poole defence were still holding firm.

Stourpaine were awarded a penalty in the 76th minute when Lee Atkins pushed an attacker in the box. Poole had no complaints about the penalty but felt they themselves should have had one when Ben Thompson had earlier gone down in the box. Simon Freak duly placed the penalty in the corner of the net to the delight of the travelling support.

Stourpaine now scented a win and the Borough fans had some anxious moments as they pressed for a winner. Jimmy Rushen came on for his debut as Lee Atkins was substituted and then things got worse for Poole as Peter Morrell went down with a knee injury. After a lengthy bout of treatment Peter continued on.

Stourpaine substitute Colin Miller nearly put them ahead as the ball came loose only a few yards out but he was off-balance and shot over. Peter Morrell took the resulting goal-kick and immediately went down again injured to be replaced by another Borough debutant Ryan Malone. In the closing minutes both teams had chances to win the game.

For Borough Ben Thompson twice broke down the left but failed to get his cross in whilst James Russell beat three players but saw his low shot saved a the foot of the post.

At the final whistle both teams had to be satisfied with a point which leaves Stourpaine on top by the fact they have scored more goals. The return fixture should be one to watch.

Poole Borough : John Brown, Lee Atkins ( Jimmy Rushen 78) , Tony Whitfield, Ron Denty, Peter Morrell ( Ryan Malone 88) , David Holdroyd, Winston Buckfield, James Russell, Scott Smith, Alan Fooks, Ben Thompson. Unused Sub: Paul Arnold