SUPERB SURRIDGE SMASHES CLARETS
POOLE TOWN 4 CHELMSFORDSurridge 26, 45, 66 (pen), Brooks 55 0
POOLE started the fireworks early with a resounding victory over second-placed Chelmsford, who had come into this match unbeaten in their last 11 league games.
The match took a while to get going and until midway through the half it was a fairly even contest with neither team really threatening.
Poole, however got the breakthrough on 26 minutes following good work down the right wing.
Luke Burbidge crossed to Sam Surridge in the centre whose powerful header found the net despite Ross Fitzsimons best efforts to keep it out.
As half time approach Poole doubled their lead with what manger Tommy Killick described as “the best goal” he had seen at Poole “for a long time”.
Starting within their own half, a series of quick one touch passes found Burbidge who slotted through to Surridge who beat a defender and fired in past the keeper from a tight angle.
The closest visitors Chelmsford came was when striker Shamir Mullings’ fierce shot hit the bar.
The Chelmsford fans were expecting a second half reaction but it never materialised after a brief spell of early pressure.
Marvin Brooks made certain of the result following good work down the left from Luke Roberts who found Brooks who had time to hit a beautiful shot from outside the box into the far top corner.
From the restart, Surridge almost had another but fired over.
Again the brilliant Surridge was involved with a ball sent over the top which the forward controlled and
he was then brought down in the box.
There was no debate over who was to take the penalty with Surridge stepping up to confidently convert for his hat-trick.
Poole calmly played out the rest of the game with Chelmsford, coming into the game in great form, unable to provide any real threat.
Substitue Billy Bricknell was brought on late and came close to grabbing a consolation when he ran through, but two home defenders were able to get back and block his effort to round off a miserable day for Rod Stringer’s outfit.
Poole boss Killick was naturally delighted with his side’s performance which he described as “at a really good level”.
Left beaming over his side’s passing football against a team pushing for promotion, Killick added: “How we managed to press and squeeze Chelmsford up the pitch was very important in today’s performance.”
The result moves Poole level with Chelmsford on points and finally into a positive goal difference.
They had scored just 18 times in their 16 National League South games before this big win, mainly down to Surridge’s fantastic performance.