Report: Dorchester Town 2-2 Luton Town - FA Trophy R1

LATE LEVELLER: Charlie Clough

AT times the gulf in class was all too apparent, but not often enough as the giants of non-league Luton Town were outbattled by dogged Dorchester.

The fact that Charlie Clough’s equalising header arrived in injury time couldn’t paper over the cracks as the Hatters’ full strength side flattered to deceive in Dorset.

When Paul Buckle’s full strength side looked good, they were imperious and threatened to take the Magpies to the cleaners, but the visitors’ effort and endeavour soon waned with Phil Simkin’s cup heroes showing how it should be done.

Inspired by their recent FA Cup heroics against League TwoPlymouth, Dorchester didn’t allow their heads to drop when Luton did show their strength.

And in truth, the hosts produced some classy moments of their own that were more than deserving of a second trip to Kenilworth Road in fourdays next week. The task facing Dorchester in the FA Cup 2^nd round will seem all the less daunting now they have matched their illustrious opponents.

In many ways it was so close to an unlikely victory for the Magpies and had it not been for a shaky start, a defensive lapse and two fine saves from Luton custodian Mark Tyler we could be talking about another famous upset.

It didn’t start that way though. Dorchester were clearly unnerved by the Hatters who took full advantage, albeit with an element of fortune in the opening minute. Just 58 seconds had passed when Andre Gray’s follow up cannoned off Neil Martin and into the unfortunate Jason Matthews’ net.

A long night was on the horizon as Gray only found the sidenetting when set away down the right and JJ O’Donnell should have found the net on 11 minutes but his tame finish at the far post was deflected wide.

Dorchester eventually settled and found their outball through Jake Gosling on the right who regularly got the better of Lathaniel Rowe-Turner.

However, the host’s chance of the half came from a straightforward punt downfield with debutant Richard Logan flicking on for strike partner Ben Watson to race through one-on-one, but Hatters stopper Tyler stood firm and tipped his low finish around the far post at full stretch. 

It was a rare moment where Luton’s rearguard looked like it could be breached during the first half with defender Janos Kovacs in fearsome form, blocking from Logan and winger Sam Malsom before the break.

At the other end, the Hatters faithful will be wishing that Gray had shown similar prowess after weathering the storm, but the former Hinckley United frontman enjoyed a tortuous evening, wasting three glorious chances to double the lead before half time.

And how Luton were to rue those misses as Dorchester got closer to their opponents from the restart and played the more enterprising football.

It is no secret that Dorchester have lacked a cutting edge this season, hence the arrival of more striking options in recent weeks, but they eventually forced the ball home through the determination that has won them so many plaudits.

Overlapping stand-in full back Nathan Walker drilled the ball across the face of goal for Logan to hold up and lay off for onrushing captain Mark Jermyn to crash the ball home, a fitting contribution for a man making his 100^th cup appearance for Dorchester.

Logan blazed over the crossbar as the game became tight, but the home side’s heads were in hands as a soft goal seemingly handed Luton victory.

Stuart Fleetwood came off the bench for the ineffectual Gray and merely stood on the shoulder of the last defender, collecting six offsides during a 28-minute appearance, but his predatory instincts paid dividends as he slammed home O’Donnell’s cross-shot with 12 minutes to play.

Clough saw a header from Jon Garcia’s corner acrobatically clawed away by Tyler as Dorchester pushed for a leveller but the Magpies’ tenacity finally paid off in stoppage time. Portsmouth loanee Dan Thompson, whose touch frequently evaded him after replacing Logan, flashed a corner in for Clough to peel away from Simon Ainge and thump home the equaliser.

It was a mini triumph for a side that had given its all and a stern message to Luton, as if they needed it, that it takes more than the best squad on paper to succeed in non-league.

DORCHESTER TOWN: Matthews, Walker, Martin, Clough. Pugh, Gleeson, Gosling, Jermyn, Watson, Logan (Thompson 79), Malsom (Garcia 69). Subs not used: Smeeton, Morgan, Crittenden.

Goals: Jermyn 58, Clough 90+2.

LUTON TOWN: Tyler, Rowe-Turner, Kovacs, Lawless (Dance 86), Rendell, Howells, Ainge, O’Donnell, Smith, Henry, Gray (Fleetwood 62). Subs not used: Beckwith, Walker, Brill.

Goals: Martin (og) 1, Fleetwood 78.

STAR MAN: Mark Tyler (Luton Town)

This match ebbed and flowed and went from the sublime to the silly in its own entertaining way. Tyler takes the award for proving to be the difference. He made two outstanding saves when his side were one up and could well have kept them in the competition. If Luton go on to lift the Trophy, they will look back on this night and thank their keeper. 

Report: Bashley 0-4 Poole Town - FA Trophy 1st Qual Rd replay

HAT-TRICK HERO:
Carl Preston

ANOTHER heavy Bashley defeat may have followed the loss of the opening goal, but this time it was as much about Carl Preston’s virtuoso performance for Poole Town as it was the host’s capitulation.

But that and the fact the losing margins are getting smaller will be scant consolation for the Bash faithful.

Shipping six against Hemel and five against Barwell was bad enough, but to lose so comprehensively to lower league opposition and local rivals will really stick in the throat for the New Forset outfit.

Again, this was a solid enough performance from Bash until they conceded, but once the Dolphins had their opener the host’s resistance quickly disintegrated.

That said there was plenty of force behind the gust that blew the house down as Preston’s hat-trick marked a fearsome return to form for the former AFC Bournemouth youngster.

A scrappy opening half an hour had little tempo with Bashley creating two half chances, Matt Finlay’s stretch was not enough to connect with a loose ball at the far post before James Stokoe’s cool control and smart turn was wasted with a tame finish.

In truth, though, Poole’s game plan worked effectively as they controlled the game with a quiet authority before a moment of magic ultimately decided the destiny of this tie.

Preston was alive to nip in behind Josh Casey and get to the byline in the 32^nd minute, working the perfect amount of space to curl the ball across Stuart Moore and find the bottom far corner.

Four minutes later, Preston almost added a second that would have rivalled Gareth Bale’s solo effort for Spurs in Milan two years ago – a mazy run from the half way line left Brad Strickland and Ian Richardson for dead but Moore raced off his line to smother the low effort.

Ragged Bashley soon conceded a second though with pacy Preston at the hub of the home side’s panic, darting down the left and crossing for Gary Middleton to scuff into his own net from the uncomfortable position of facing his own goal.

A slick move just after the hour provided the third with Adam Kelly and Karim Benssaouda zipping the ball around statues with Preston rounding Moore to coolly slot home.

Poole’s persistent predator earned a shot at his hat-trick nine minutes from time by further terrorising Richardson, drawing a handball from the former Totton stopper as he tried in vain to stop a cross from the left – Preston despatched the spot kick to Moore’s left with aplomb.

Ian Oliver and Pearce Farren entered the fray for Bashley and added some endeavour – the two substitutes combined for Farren to clip the frame of the goal late on, but that didn’t mask the problems facing Frank Gray at the moment.

He needs to pick his players up and fast – the goals are flying in at an alarming rate as soon as Bash concede. Poole, however, will be pleased to get through a tie they were so close to losing first time around – this was the type of form everyone expects from Tom Killick’s men and there would have been many Premier Division teams struggling to contain them on this kind of form.

BASHLEY: Moore, Smith, Casey, Strickland, Middleton (Oliver 70), I Richardson, Finlay, Hill, Stokoe (Farren 77), Jenkinson, Knight.

Unused subs: Gazzard, Vokes, Kearn (g/k).

POOLE TOWN: Hutchings, Baines, Spetch, Emmerson, Walker, Dibba (S Richardson 66), Burbidge, Devlin, S Brown (Benssaouda 50), Preston, Kelly (Wilson 79).

Unused subs: O’Donnell, T Brown (g/k). 

Goals: Preston 32, 61, 81(p), Middleton 42(og).

STAR MAN: Carl Preston (Poole Town)

It was always a matter of when rather than if Preston would find his form again as both Poole and their talented wideman have yet to hit top gear this season – until now. It is no coincidence that one of the Dolphins’ best displays this season came on a night when everything went right for their key man. Poole were imperious and unstoppable with one man taking them from stoic to sensational – Carl Preston.

Report: Poole Town 1-1 Bashley - FA Trophy 1st Qual Rd

LATE GOAL: Benssaouda

KARIM Benssaouda’s last ditch equaliser gave this FA Trophy tie an all too familiar finish as Poole Town rescued a replay with local rivals Bashley.

Bash suffered late heartache in the FA Cup, losing a 90^th minute goal to draw 1-1 with Gosport Borough three weeks ago before controversially losing the replay in the now famous ‘phantom goal’ incident.

And with Poole, who went into the game boasting a 100% home record, trailing their Southern Premier visitors by a single goal, there was an air of inevitability about the Dolphins’ leveller at the death.

Tatnam boss Tom Killick has readily admitted that his side have yet to sparkle this season, but have still ground out the necessary results, especially on home soil.

So despite their average-at-best showing in what was anything but a ding-dong derby, the draw was not surprising or undeserved.

The lower league hosts went into the clash as favourites with a three point lead at the top of the Southern South & West while Bashley sit second from bottom in the Premier Division, higher league status that just eluded Poole in the play-offs at the end of last season.

The Dolphins played with confidence and made the early running, but it was Bash who created the most presentable openings in a goalless first half.

The visitors felt they should have had a penalty on 16 minutes when debutant Andrew Jenkinson’s throughball was handled by Will Spetch, but referee Mark Lawrence infuriated Bash boss Frank Gray by awarding a free kick on the edge of the penalty area for an offence that both sides acknowledged was inside the box.

Charlie Knight was at the hub of Bashley’s attacks, providing the ammunition for James Stokoe to miss a sitter from five yards midway through the first half.

However, Bash were forced to defend in numbers and were often indebted to another new face, goalkeeper Stuart Moore, who caught several testing crosses under severe pressure from the host’s attack.

Benssaouda dispossessed Brad Strickland but shot across the face of goal before Carl Preston hit the post as Poole finish the first 45 with a flourish.

The interval, however, came at the wrong time for the Dolphins who failed to settle at all in the second half and Bashley took full advantage four minutes after the restart.

Giant defender Ian Richardson pressured Marvin Brooks into flicking a header towards his own goal from Josh Casey’s free kick and left ‘keeper Nick Hutchings stranded as the ball looped into the net.

Poole had their own penalty appeal waved away moments later when Gary Middleton appeared to wrestle Michael Walker to the ground, but Bash were in the ascendency and could have wrapped the tie up in the final fifteen minutes.

Firstly, an unmarked Knight headed Tom Hill’s cross over at the far post before Stokoe shot tamely into Hutchings’ arms when one-on-one with four minutes to go.

Those misses set up a grandstand finish with two efforts scrambled off the Bashley line in a goal mouth melee.

But the hosts were not to be denied as marauding full back Keith Emmerson burst from his own half to the edge of the penalty area, seeing his low shot well parried by the unfortunate Moore who could do nothing to stop Benssaouda’s rebound.

Both bosses had differing views on the performance levels at full time, which is unsurprising on current form. 

The draw was a fair result though, and it is back to Bashley Road on Tuesday night with the incentive of a winnable tie at home to Didcot Town for the victors.  

POOLE TOWN: Hutchings, Baines (S Brown 69), Spetch, Emmerson, Walker, S Richardson (Wilson 58), Kelly (Burbidge 77), Devlin, Benssaouda, Preston, Brooks. 

Unused subs: O’Donnell, T Brown (g/k).

Goal: Benssaouda 90. 

BASHLEY: Moore, Smith, Casey, Strickland, Middleton, I Richardson, Finlay (Oliver 80), Hill, Stokoe, Jenkinson, Knight. 

Unused subs: Gazzard, Farren, Vokes, Kearn (g/k).

Goal: Brooks(og) 49.

STAR MAN: Stuart Moore (Bashley)

In what was not the most inspiring of football matches, Moore withstood the pressure piled on by Poole's big hitters on an important afternoon between the sticks for the Reading youngster. Making his debut in the heat of a local derby, in an FA competition, is not easy for a young goalkeeper, but his bravery from the outset saw him command his area well. Despite Benssaouda taking the plaudits late on, Moore's impressive contribution should not be overlooked. 

Report: Poole Town 3-1 Beaconsfield SYCOB - FA Trophy Prel Rd replay

INFLUENTIAL: Taffy Richardson

SUBSTITUTES who make sure nothing happens can be as important as those who light the blue touch paper, but Poole Town had the luxury of both on Tuesday night, seeing off Beaconsfield SYCOB in the FA Trophy.

The pendulum swung back in the visitors’ favour when Anthony Page pulled a goal back after Carl Preston and Marvin Brooks had handed the Dolphins a two goal lead.

But savvy Tatnam boss Tom Killick had two aces up his sleeve, managing to stick then twist with a pair of well timed changes.

45-year-old Taffy Richardson entered the fray and duly snuffed out Beaconsfield’s momentum before Karim Lammali came off the bench, scoring a classy goal within three minutes of coming on to seal the tie.

It was no less than Poole deserved – they may have lacked a little punch before the first goal on the stroke of half time, but were the better side throughout other than a hairy ten minutes following Page’s strike.

Preston’s fierce drive cannoned off Craig Carby, looping over the crossbar inside the first five minutes before Brooks fired over from 18 yards after good work from Keith Emmerson.

Michael Walker flashed a header wide from Steve Devlin’s deep free kick while Beaconsfield looked threatening, breaking with pace but not testing Dolphins ‘keeper Nick Hutchings before the 40^th minute when Gavin James’ low shot had to be clawed away.

As the first half appeared to be petering into stalemate, Poole’s pressure finally paid off as Preston's cross from the right  evaded everyone in a busy penalty area but Devlin cut back with the ball bobbling through to Preston who drove into the net from close range.

Devlin turned provider again six minutes after the interval as the Dolphins doubled their lead – the Tatnam terrier’s corner was nodded down by Walker for Brooks to smash back across goal at the far post, finding Jonathan Nydell’s bottom right corner.

The lively Emmerson’s cross-shot flashed wide shortly after, but the visitors found their feet and scored following a goalmouth scramble on 56 minutes – Justin Clayton and Yiadom Yeboah made a nuisance of themselves to help Page bundle home from a corner.

Substitute Nathan Poulton was at the centre of Beaconsfield’s resurgence, setting Ryan Blake away but Will Spetch intervened with a last ditch slide tackle, and Poulton himself went close curling wide from 18 yards.

Cue Poole’s own super-sub as Richardson added bite and drive in midfield, shutting out a side that were starting to look relentless and Dorset’s answer to Stanley Matthews helped put a cap on the result, passing to Brooks to find Lammali with the enigmatic striker finishing deftly with the outside of his right boot.

The win sets up a tasty derby day in the First Qualifying Round with Poole facing local rivals and Southern Premier outfit Bashley. Based on Town’s tenacity at Tatnam so far this season, that home advantage could prove crucial.

*The Bournemouth Echo’s post match reaction with Poole boss Tom Killick can be found here.

POOLE TOWN: Hutchings, Baines, Spetch, Emmerson, Walker, Kelly (O’Donnell 90), Burbidge (Richardson 59), Devlin, S Brown (Lammali 75), Preston, Brooks.

Unused subs: Chudy, T Brown (g/k).

Goals: Preston 44, Brooks 51, Lammali 78.

BEACONSFIELD SYCOB: Nydell, James, Carby, Clayton, Yeboah, Lee, Upward, Page, James, Blake, Walters (Poulton 56).

Unused subs: Saroya, Jack.

Goal: Page 56.

STAR MAN: Taffy Richardson (Poole Town)

The hosts played well on the night with Keith Emmerson’s drive and determination standing out, but when the chips are down Tom Killick always turns to his old mucker. Reliable as ever, Richardson offered the strength and influence to turn the tide back in Poole’s favour. Taffy may not be getting any younger, but it doesn’t look like he needs to be.