Poole defeated Swindon at the second time of asking to face Taunton in Q2 of the FA Cup.

The first half was an entertaining game played at fast pace with plenty skill on show from both teams.  Swindon started the brighter.  Staunton gave the ball away cheaply on 6 minutes with Swindon breaking quickly down the right wing with a good ball in to the box but no-one there to meet it.

As the half progressed Poole grew in to the game.  On 18 minutes Smith neatly passed several Swindon players before laying off the ball to Hewlett whose shot was blocked.   3 minutes later McCarthy passed to Hewlett who turned neatly and set up Slade who shot just wide.  From a Poole corner on 31 minutes the ball looked set to go in but the keeper held.  Hewlett then had 2 good chances – on 35 minutes he turned and fired a good shot which Brabham saved well.  2 minutes later a quick break from Poole saw McCarthy set up Hewlett whose fierce shot produced another good save.  Just a minute later from a corner the fans celebrated but then realised McCarthy’s header had only found the side netting.

Finally on 42 minutes Poole took a deserved lead with a goal of the season contender.  Clarke took the ball and ran across the edge of the box from left to right, then cut back and hit the ball in to the top corner of the net.  Swindon’s best chance of the half came just at the end with a great ball over the top but Plain just got there ahead of Sims-Burgess.