Poole Borough Football Club
Season 2003/04

THE SEASON

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James Edwards - instigated the best of Borough's moves through midfield and floted over a superb free kick for the Borough goal.

Borough Scorer: Simon Hallam 50
Borough Man of the Match: James Edwards

Borough’s good start to the season was brought to a halt at Gillingham where they were punished for some poor second half defending against a Gillingham side reduced to 10 men in the first half.

Borough, starting the game playing down the Hardings Lane slope made some early inroads and forced a series of corners but were unable to capitalise while the home side also created two chances the second seeing Adam Nash come out smartly to force the triker to shoot wide.

The Gills, however, took the lead from the penalty spot on 15 minutes after a forward was upended in the area & NickWard converted. Gillingham were reduced to 10 men in the 22^nd minute after Steve Russell was tripped by Martin Silk as he ran through on goal. From the resulting free-kick Stuart Merrell shot low to the keeper’s left but the glove man did well push the ball past the post.

Tony White came close with a header from a corner as Borough tried to press their advantage, and Kieron Campbell also shot wide after good approach work from Lee Russell.

Half Time 1-0.

Further pressure saw the Hornets drew level 5 minutes after the break as persistence from Steve Russell wide on the left resulted in a free kick being awarded to Borough, which was floated in James Edwards and met by the head of Simon Hallam at the far post.

Having clawed they way back Borough handed the advantage back to their hosts after a defensive error on 54 minutes which allowed the ball to be knocked forward to Stacey White to score.

Steve Russell came close to putting Borough level again with a cross from the left which came back off the bar, but Hornets keeper Adam Nash was also kept busy, making two fine saves.

On 74 minutes Gillingham went further ahead when a goal line clearance went only as far as Loic Herouard who ran through to convert. Keiron Campbell saw a well time volley punched clear by the home keeper, but the Borough defence was breached again 10 minutes from time when Stacey White ran through to score his second of the match.

Borough: Adam Nash, Lee Russell (Sean Clarke 43), Tony White, Simon Hallam, Matt Bircumshaw, Stuart Merrell, James Edwards, Steve Russell (Matt Norris 81), Scott Smith, Kieron Campbell, Martin White (Alex Gunn 77).

Manager's Comments............

Gills' boss Paul Down said: "We had a game plan to hit them on the counter-attack and it worked, even if they did equalise within four minutes of the second half starting."

Peter Morrell blasted his players. He said: "We were awful. There was no passion or commitment and we have had a bit of a heart to heart."