Match Report: Dolphins held by National South Chippenham

Poole Town 1

Chippenham Town 1

F.A. Challenge Cup | Second Qualifying Round | 18/09/21 |

Poole Town and Chippenham will have to do battle all over again as the sides played out a 1-1 draw at the Black Gold Stadium.

Dolphins started brightly, with Tony Lee feeding in Dickson who drew a fine save out of Will Henry after just a minute played.

Lee himself would have a fine chance, when Dan Bartlett slipped the man in-form inside. One-on-one at a tight angle, Lee could only find the midriff of Henry.

Chippenham slowly grow into the game and finally started asking questions of Poole’s defence.

Dan Griffiths came closest when his header caught Childs out, before cannoning back of the crossbar and away from danger.

Despite Poole’s early grasp of the game loosening, the Dolphins would take a first-half lead after 27 minutes.

After a Poole attack was half-cleared, Dan Bartlett sent a speculative effort towards Henry’s goal from around 30 yards.

The dipping effort caused Henry to push the ball away, but Luke Burbidge chucked himself on the rebound to stab home his fifth of the campaign.

Neither side really threatened after the opener, with the rest of the first half passing by without incident.

Shortly into the second half Poole should have doubled their lead – with Dickson feeding in Bartlett.

One-on-one with Henry, Bartlett took too much time and took the wrong option, trying to place it underneath the keeper. Henry stood his ground and made a fine stop to keep his side in it.

That missed opportunity would prove costly, as the away side would equalise shortly after.

A common trend this season, Poole failed to proper clear after dealing with an initial attack, allowing Chippenham to swarm into the box and Alex Bray to tap home an equaliser.

With parity restored the game became a far more equal affair, with both sids nullifying each other’s attacks.

The final stages of the game was marred by overhit passes and poor attacking runs, making a stalemate all but inevitable.

Dolphins will now travel to Wiltshire for the replay on Tuesday, with both sides knowing their potential opponents after Monday’s FA Cup draw.

Side: Childs, Rose, Jackson, Spetch (Holmes), Whisken (C), Carmichael (Fletcher), Moore, Lee, Burbidge (Bedford), Dickson, Bartlett

Subs: Cazé, Butler (g/k), Wright

Chippenham: Henry, Elechi, Parselle (C), Richards, Alene D’Abadia, Dan Griffiths, Bray, Bunker, Hanks, Rosse, Warwick

Subs: Leach, Gunner, Jackson, Green-Slade, Stearn, Myrie-Williams

Goals:

Bookings: