Match Report: Lee again the hero as Poole overcome frustration

Poole Town 2

Hendon 1

Dolphins had Tony Lee to thank again after the striker continued his mesmerising form with another late winner.

It seemed Poole were to be left frustrated after failing to convert control into goals, with the Dolphins coming back from a losing position.

Poole started brightly and played with confidence – epitomised by Tony Lee, who tried his luck from a tight angle and came dangerously close to an opener.

Despite the strong start Dolphins could not find an opener, allowing the away side to slowly grow into the game.

A somewhat fortuitous goal gifted Hendon the lead after just twelve minutes. Mark Childs went up to catch a corner, but was bundled over from behind in the process.

Unclear whether a Poole or Hendon body impeded Childs, the referee allowed play to continue and for Hamza Semakula to slot home in a crowded box.

Hendon only managed to threaten when Poole made mistakes, but the game ground to a halt frequently with bizarre refereeing decisions.

Will Spetch was hauled to the ground and pinned by Lucas Perry in the box, but despite his attempts to get up and out of the grasp of the Hendon defender, was also booked.

Poole were still their own enemies, as some sloppy passing at the back saw Whisken dispossessed on the edge of his own area. Fortunately for Dolphins, Liam Brooks’ curled the ball past the far post.

Neither side generated much of note, with Poole relying on set-pieces for any chance at goal.

The equaliser would come shortly after the hour mark, with Jamie Whisken heading home in a crowded box for his first of the season.

Dolphins switched formation with the introduction of Corby Moore, allowing Jack Dickson and Brooklyn Genesini to bomb down either flanks as wing-backs.

Dickson would come close when his rasping drive was somehow kept out by the strong wrists of Fred Burbidge in the Hendon goal, but Dickson would help Poole snatch a winner.

A low, drilled cross found man of the moment Tony Lee, who duly tucked the ball home in the 83rd minute to send Poole onto a third win from three games.

The result cements Dolphins’ spot in the playoffs, with Poole remaining fourth after twelve games played.

Dolphins: Childs, Rose, Genesini, Spetch, Whisken, Bartlett (Moore 59′), Holmes (Wright 90+4), Carmichael, Lee, Burbidge (Fletcher 57′), Dickson

Unused subs: Wickham, Mayo

Hendon: Burbidge, Moore, Perry, Forbes, Brewer (Alexander-Greenaway 75′), Smith (Gordon 70′), Lucien, Budd, White (Semakula 9′), Brooks, Carvalho

Unused subs: Clarke, Atagyamfi

Goals: Whisken 62′, Lee 83′; Semakula 13′

Bookings: Holmes, Genesini, Spetch, Fletcher; Perry