Poole Borough Football Club
Season 2003/04

THE SEASON

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James Edwards
Returned to run the midfield for Borough.

Conditions

Overcast & mild. Pitch excellent.

Borough Colours

Gold & Black Shirts, Black Shorts, Black Socks

Borough Scorers: Steve Russell 26, Alex Gunn 69.
Borough Man of the Match: James Edwards

Blandford United took advantage of a below par Borough performance to clinch the double following a 4-2 victory at Turlin Moor.

Early chances we at a premium but Tony White came close with a quickly taken free kick on 12 minutes and Gary Fooks was unfortunate to see his shot charged down after he ran through from deep.

The game however ignited when the Royals took the lead on 24 minutes following a swift breakaway as a low cross alluded Adam Nash leaving Jamie Knight a simple tap in. Borough came straight back and Steve Russell broke through before knocking the ball behind the keeper, but the gloveman scrambled back to just beat Alex Gunn to the loose ball.

Borough however were level a minutes later when Tony White sent over a deep cross from the left and Russell arrived at the far post to head home.

The visitors continued to look dangerous on the break and Shaun Clarke did well to block a shot in the line. Blandford though took the lead again 10 minutes before the interval as another break away saw the ball centred to Gary Simpson, who coolly made space for himself before picking his spot just inside the post.

Half Time 1-2

Four minutes after the break Russell went close for Borough with a shot just over the bar, but a minute later the Royals went further ahead when Peter Knight took advantage of a poor clearance from Nash to tuck the loose ball home.

Borough pushed forward looking for a way back and a Gary Fooks shot went narrowly over before the Hornets gave themselves some hope on 69 minutes when Matt Bircumshaw battled down the left before turning the ball back to Alex Gunn just inside the area to convert.

James Edwards just failed to equalise with a shot which went narrowly wide, but Blandford put the game beyond Borough ten minutes from time when another swift attacking down the left resulted in a low which Simpson steered home at the near post.

With time running out Alan Fooks did well to get to a cross into the box by Gary Fooks but put the ball over and Tony White saw a header cleared off the line but it was not enough to stop Borough being consigned to their heaviest home defeat of the season.

Borough: Nash, M.White (Allen 36), T. White, Orchard, Clarke, G.Fooks, Edwards, Gunn, Russell, A. Fooks, Bircumshaw (Flooks 81). Unused sub: Whatling.

Managers' Comments ..................

Losing manager Tony White was impressed by his opponents. He said: "It was a very poor performance by us but take nothing away from them because they have a great spirit. Individually they perhaps do not have the quality of other sides but as a team they stick to basics and fight for everything. They are a very tough team to play against."