Match Report: Dolphins Deepen Reds Gloom

Poole Town 3-1 Uxbridge

Uxbridge’s poor run of form continued down in Dorset on Saturday, as 3rd placed Poole Town inflicted the fifth defeat in six matches on The Reds, although on the second half showing this could have been a different encounter. The visitors were forced into a couple of changes as Rhys Forster and Ada Okorgoheye were unavailable, Harry Rush though made a welcome return to the bench.

The match began with a chance for Uxbridge as early as 4 minutes, as Jo Lawal broke away from a Poole corner and fed Cam’ron Ismail, but the shot was curled over the bar. In a case of making the most of your opportunities it was Poole who took the lead in the 8th minute, as the ball was lost in midfield allowing a pass out to the left flank, where Ayo coolly slotted home past Reds keeper Kacper Orlowski. Poole continued to test the Uxbridge goal, with a shot just over the bar from Kris Campbell on 20 minutes. Poole continued to dominate possession, and it was no surprise when they doubled their lead on 31 minutes, as the ball was passed neatly around the visitors penalty box, and created a shooting chance for Shaquille Gwengwe, who found the top corner with a fine finish. The two goalscorers nearly combined for a third goal on 35 minutes as Kris Campbell clipped a ball into the box and Gwengwe shot at goal, but Orlowski made a fine block. George Moore as usual was working hard up front for The Reds, and he pinged a shot just wide on 44 minutes, in a rare foray forward. Sadly the game was all but done right on the half time whistle as the ball was won back by Poole in midfield and some neat passing saw Selim Saied cut inside and fired a low shot into the corner, to give the home side a commanding lead at the break.

HT 0-3

The second half saw Uxbridge bring on Harry Rush and Kyle Bailey and tweak the formation as they pushed to get back into the game. An early cross from Cole Brown was fired in but well kept out by Adam Parkes. Uxbridge looked much the brighter side, as Poole began to sit back on their lead, and it was Toby Nnadozie whose shot went straight at the keeper on 64 minutes. Poole always looked dangerous on the break and Orlowski was called into action again soon after, rushing out to block as Owen Dore broke away. Uxbridge though continued to create chances, Frank Keita going close on 70 minutes but firing over the bar, after good work from Moore to set up the chance. Uxbridge did get on the scoresheet though - as George Moore cut in from wide left, and curled a fine low finish leaving Parkes rooted to the spot on 77 minutes. Uxbridge sensed a comeback creating multiple chances in the final ten minutes. Liam Prior Tack found himself in space on the corner of the box, but couldn't keep his shot down. Two minutes later Moore went close again but dragged another low shot just wide of the far post. Keita fired wide soon after, before Moore again couldn’t find the target in injury time.

Ultimately Uxbridge left themselves too much to do after the first half, however the signs were definitely there in the second half that the current slump will be one that doesn’t last too much longer.

FT: 1-3

Att: 588

Uxbridge: Orlowski, Brown (Hobbs), Ismail (Bailey), Fearn (Tanner), Stepney, Nnadozie (Prior-Tack), Lawal, Giamattei, Hector (Rush), Moore, Keita

Match Gallery here - courtesy Emma Neumann-Russell