What a week it has been for The Dolphins. Two local derbies, 8 goals scored without reply, in front of two crowds both exceeding 1200. Those two wins take us to third place in the table (P11 W7 D3 L1 24 points) and have done much to improve our goal difference. Along the way Shaq fired himself to the top of the Pitching In leading scorer’s table with 9 league goals.
We showed in both games how dangerous we are in attack but still resolute in defence. We will need all those qualities again on Saturday as we travel to New Meadow Park to face Gloucester City. As we know Gloucester lost in the play-off final last season so missed the chance to play in National League South. They will be keen to put that right this season and, like ourselves, have started the season extremely well. They have picked up maximum points at home and lost just the one game on the road, the 2-1 defeat at Plymouth Parkway. They are currently in second place in the table (P11 W8 D2 L1 26 points) and second in the form table (P6 W5 D1).
Gloucester lost only two home league matches last year; Bracknell beat them 2-0 in November and Walton & Hersham are the last team to take all three points there when they won 2-1 in March.
We lost both matches against them last season, the 4-1 away defeat in November was followed by the 1-0 reverse in February.
Gloucester decided on a change of manager at the end of last season and turned to someone they know well, Dafyyd Williams. He was with the club in the 2021/22 and 2022/23 seasons before joining EFL side Newport County as Assistant Manager.
Upon returning to Gloucester, Dafyyd said: ‘I’m absolutely delighted to be back, I know what this football club is about having had a great experience here previously. It was a difficult decision to leave Newport County but it was made a lot easier by having the opportunity to come to Gloucester City. I’m really excited for the future.’
Following Williams to Gloucester is the former Morcombe and Newport County captain Aaron Wildig. He is a vastly experienced central midfielder, having begun his career at Cardiff City in 2009 where he made 21 appearances when the Bluebirds were playing in the Championship. After a spell at Shrewsbury, he moved to Morcombe where he amassed 248 appearances and scored 25 goals, becoming captain for the Shrimps after winning promotion to League One. He then joined Newport County where he was made team captain last season before departing the Exiles after 90 appearances to join Gloucester City.
A player who is quickly making a name for himself in a Poole Town shirt is our latest signing Samuel “AYO” Faniyan. He has made three appearances for the club, all from the bench and he has been extremely impressive on all three occasions, including his goal against Weymouth. The 24-year-old winger started his career in the youth ranks with Reading, before making the move to non-league with the likes of Hertford Town and Tooting & Mitcham. After a successful 2023/24 campaign with Hayes & Yeading United, where he found the back of the net on eight occasions, Faniyan linked up with Joe and Pat at Gosport Borough. Last season, he made 31 appearances for Gosport, but with Joe and Pat’s departure from Privett Park, Faniyan also departed the club not long after and finished the campaign with Walton & Hersham.
It promises to be a fantastic top of the table clash between two in form sides, with much at stake.
Enjoy the game
Neil Wellington.
