Poole Town ensured their survival in the Southern League Premier South with a massive 3-1 win over Chertsey Town at the BlackGold Stadium. Goals from Ezio Touray and Christos Batzelis, as well as a Chertsey own goal, helped the Dolphins to three points in front of the 1,140 in attendance. There were scenes of jubilation on the full time whistle with a huge sigh of relief as Poole Town ensured their safety from the drop.

In a game where a victory would’ve guaranteed safety, the first ten minutes saw Poole Town on top, creating plenty of chances. The 8^th minute saw Selim Saied wriggle free from a Chertsey defender in the box before flashing a pass across goal that Ezio Touray couldn’t reach in the centre.

The deadlock was broken only ten minutes later when Tyrique Clarke delivered a great cross that found Touray who fired home to give Poole the lead.

Touray had a chance to double his tally just two minutes later when he was put through on goal by Saied, but he was denied by the Chertsey keeper, Josh Strizovic, with a great save.

Despite a decent three minute spell for the visitors, a shot from Tyrique Clark outside the box was saved and as Chertsey attempted to clear, bounced off a defender into the net to give the hosts breathing room with a 2-0 lead.

Touray had more chances to make it three as the first half came to a close, but Chertsey came closest to scoring as their number ten, Oliver McCoy, hit the post after some intricate footwork in the box.

As the half time whistle arrived, it was clear that Poole were the better side in the first half. There was plenty of threat from Saied and Touray, with Tyrique Clarke’s superb pressing also contributing to the chances created.

Despite this, the away side started the second half more convincingly and created more chances early on. McCoy had a penalty shout waved away midway through the half before Saied also had the same happen to him at the other end of the pitch just moments later.

Chertsey were quick to break following this and won a free kick just outside the box, with Oakley Hanger being booked for his foul. The free kick was hit under the wall and deflected into the path of Luke Robertson, who poked the ball into the net to give Chertsey a goal back in the game.

However nine minutes later, Poole restored their two goal advantage through Batzelis, who was able to find space in the box and rifled a shot into the roof of the net. This established his man of the match award which was applauded by the fans as it was announced to the ground.

With an uneventful final ten minutes, the full-time whistle brought an end to another league campaign for Poole Town. The win confirmed their stay in the Southern League Premier South and gave the fans something to cheer about as the season came to a close.

With the season concluding on the final whistle, we would like to thank everyone at Poole Town FC for all their support throughout the season as we look forward to a bright future at our football club. Up the Dolphins!