Poole Borough Football Club
Season 2003/04

THE SEASON

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Gary Fooks -Kepy buzzing through out the game and covered in defence as well as creating chances.

Borough Man of the Match: Gary Fooks

Sturminster Newton took advantage of a disappointing Borough performance to record a 1-0 home win, their first victory of the season, with a goal 5 minutes from time in a game where neither side looked convincing.

Borough created early openings for Matt Bircumshaw and Kieron Campbell but both strikes were off target, while Sturminster also created some half chances on the beak. On 21 minutes the home keeper was fortunate to hold a free kick at the third attempt with Borough forwards bearing down on him and minutes later Gary Fooks attempted a low shot from 30 yards out which went narrowly wide.

Borough however had to defend a series of corners toward the end of the half as the Cherries finished the stronger and Tony White came to the Hornets rescue following a goalmouth scramble with a timely headed clearance.

Half Time 0-0.

Immediately after the break Martin White forced a good save from the home keeper after being set up by Scott Smith. Smith was creator again minutes later after he battled to the by–line before laying the ball back to Steve Russell at the edge of the area, but the keeper was equal to the shot.

Sturminster came back and Fooks did well to clear under pressure as a home forward looked to take advantage from a poor back pass, and the Cherries came close again as a forward arrived unmarked to head a free kick over the bar.

Steve Russell was unfortunate on 60 minutes when he ghosted in from the left but saw his fierce shot from a narrow angle punched over the bar by the gloveman.

Into the final 10 minutes Borough were pushed back as Sturminster forced a succession of corners which required some desperate defending to clear. Borough however broke away and were awarded a free kick on the edge of the area but the kick rebounded off the wall and Alex Gunn shot wide from the rebound.

Just as the game look destined for a goalless draw, another home corner resulted in a scramble in the Borough goalmouth and the ball fell to substitute Newell inside the box to slot home.

Borough: Adam Nash, Gary Fooks, Tony White, Simon Hallam, Martin White, Stuart Merrell (Shaun Clarke 73), Lee Russell, Steve Russell (Matt Norris 82), Scott Smith, Kieron Campbell (Alex Gunn 73), Matt Bircumshaw.