Coach Timmy Mellett set firm strategic guidelines, during his comprehensive pre match team talk, following Xander King’s motivational shout “let’s have ‘em!”.

Portsmouth started brightly, fuelled by the gusts of storm Amy, completely ignoring coach Tim’s, 3/4 press call.

The two teams were well matched in the early exchanges, with Portsmouth dominating possession. Debutant Dan Whitcher, with his second touch of the game launched an aerial into the opposing 25, 5 mins later magician Whitcher in true Italian style switched sides and delivered a pass across his own D to the Poole centre forward, fortunately the Portsmouth defence held strong.

However, they were swiftly undone by a miss-hit-bobbler, beating the outstretched John Arnell at the near post - pulling something in the process. Jeremy “glass jaw” Bulled, took a strategic stick to the face, to allow the well worked Portsmouth team to rest, ruby red all over his white shirt.

Portsmouth continued to apply pressure, eventually leading to a messy but excellently executed equaliser by Charlie Boswell, only for it to be “upgraded” to a short corner, Portsmouth were unlucky to face half time on the back foot.

Halftime - 1-0, Poole.

Portsmouth went into the second half confident, following a reminder of their strategic aims, but were shortly 2 nil down.

A spark of hope came to Portsmouth in the form of smooth fast aggressive hockey, from Ryan Rochester and Guy Sheldon, leading to Portsmouth’s second goal… or so they thought, when they turned to see that it had once again been upgraded to a short corner!

Due to the variable push outs over the last few weeks, Portsmouth adopted a two castle set up. Despite some good routines the 11 short corners resulted in 0 conversions.

Poole continued to apply pressure and were able to convert a number of opportunities into goals. Meanwhile, some of the Portsmouth side took unplanned breaks recommended by the umpires.

Portsmouth finally had some luck, with the bench screaming post, a stray ball - disregarded by the Poole goal keeper - rebounded off the opposition post setting Chris Palmer up to score the first and only goal for Portsmouth.

It wasn’t Portsmouth’s day with the final score of 5-1 to Poole, a scoreline which could easily have read 4-4.

Unlucky fellas.

Fantastic debuts from Dan Witcher and Xander King.

MoM - Charlie Boswell

DoD - Glass Jaw Jez