The eagerly anticipated wait is over, the football season is finally back and for the Dolphins that meant a trip to Berkshire as we faced Bracknell Town on the opening day.

Steve Tully made one change from the impressive 2-0 win against Worthing in pre-season as Josh Staunton came in for Charlie Davis to make up a back three of himself, Whisken and Thomas. Hanger and Jam Smith provided the width. A midfield four of Slade, Clarke, McCarthy and Billy Lowes with Toby Holmes leading the line.

The referee’s whistle got the game underway, and Poole started the better of the two teams with an early chance for Jake McCarthy which was fired into the side netting.

As the first half progressed, both sides continued to test each other out with neither team proving clinical in the final third.

Toby Holmes had the chance to give Poole the lead after a fantastic delivery from Hanger which Holmes was unable to convert from close range.

Bracknell’s best chance of the half fell to Dan Roberts who was excellently denied by a strong arm from Cameron Plain in the Poole Town goal.

The half drew to a close with neither side breaking the deadlock.

In similar fashion to the first half, Poole came out the stronger of the two sides but as the half went on Bracknell grew into the game.

There were chances for either side but a lack of clinical edge prevented either side from opening the scoring.

An abundance of substitutions for Poole saw Diaz, Davis, Hoey, Hewlett and later Tyler Forbes come into the fray.

The major chance of the second half fell to Jake McCarthy who was denied by an incredible save from Eacott in the Bracknell goal.

Poole defended resiliently in the last ten minutes to hold onto a point as the full time whistle was blown but perhaps believed they deserved more from the game.

Next up for Steve Tully’s side is the first home game of the season as we host Taunton Town on Tuesday in what should be a highly entertaining game.

Written by Connor Hannon