Islanders miss chance to pull plug on Poole (From Dorset Echo)

Islanders miss chance to pull plug on Poole

5:30pm Tuesday 5th March 2013 in Sport By Echo Reporter

POOLE TOWN U18s 3 PORTLAND TOWN U18s 2

PORTLAND Town produced their best attacking performance of the season away to Poole Town but somehow managed to lose the game.

The score was harsh on Town but missed chances and sloppy mistakes usually add up to defeat and that was the case here.

Town were in control from the start and Matt Dunlop saw his effort from a Brad Davis corner saved then Liam Thompson flashed a shot wide from a lovely Danny Clifford through ball.

Thompson then turned provider for Archie Markwell whose effort also sailed wide as Town dominated the first 15 minutes.

And they deservedly got the first goal of the game a minute later when Charlie Fox broke from defence and found Adam Hanger on the wing. He played a neat through ball to Markwell who coolly slotted past the keeper.

Poole were level 10 minutes later when a static Town defence failed to deal with a free-kick and the home forward had an easy tap-in.

Liam Thorne replaced the injured Fox on the half hour mark before Markwell and Thompson failed to turn good chances into goals.

Chances fell to Town players at regular intervals before the break but the sides went into the interval level at 1-1.

Controversy struck in the 58th minute when a Thompson corner curled straight into net with the Poole keeper falling in with it as he tried to clear the ball.

With Town players celebrating the only two people who did not see the ball cross the line were the referee and linesman.

Town enjoyed several more opportunities to take the lead again. Davis saw a 40-yard effort well saved and Brendan McNulty’s neat flick from six yards went straight to the keeper.

Eventually, Markwell did put Town 2-1 up with a great finish from a Thompson lay back but Poole equalised immediately when Peart was caught out by a shot from long range that bobbled through his legs.

Poole unbelievably went 3-2 ahead when their forward was alert to a Floyd Musson back pass before tucking the ball past Peart. Musson almost atoned with 20 minutes left but his header flashed wide.

The visitors then laid siege to the Poole goal. A Thompson attempt was blocked on the line, McNulty smashed a fierce drive against the post and Markwell saw another effort saved.

Man of the match: Danny Clifford