Match Preview | Poole Town

Tiverton Town v Poole Town 

Tuesday 7^th October Kick off 7:45pm 

The Slee Blackwell Solicitors Stadium 

It's a return to league action for the Yellows on Tuesday evening, when they play host to seventh placed Poole Town and following their elimination from the FA Trophy at the hands of Havant & Waterlooville, a positive response to that result is very much needed. The disappointing display at Weymouth the weekend before, saw our management duo tinker a little with the line up on Saturday and it will be fascinating to see who is selected against a side who have made a decent start to their 2025/26 campaign. 

Aiden Horne who was available for the FA Trophy tie, will come into contention for a starting place. It’s healthy of course to have competition for starting places in the squad and Asa Hall and Steve Orchard are currently searching for a winning formation and will utilise the squad, in order to achieve that. There was a start for Fin Rooke in the FA Trophy game and others will be making their cases in the coming fixtures, in a bid to become regulars in the matchday eleven. 

Pat Suraci and Joe Lea are the co-managers of the Dolphins, having fulfilled those roles at Gosport, prior to their arrival at the Black Gold Stadium. Both former Gosport players, the young management team returned to coach the team, after their first managerial appointment was a success, in gaining promotion to step 5 with Petersfield Town. 

Overseeing the Boro's progression into the play offs in the 2023/24 season, Suraci,, 27 and Lea, 28 are not without admirers. In January they left Gosport to become new Poole bosses, with their remit being to keep a struggling Dolphins in the division, which was duly delivered. 

Some shrewd pieces of business in pre-season saw them freshen things up, with new faces in the dressing room. Shaquille Gwengwe, a very talented centre forward has moved from Dorset rivals Dorchester and has hit the ground running, with 5 goals from 7 league games. Fellow forward IK Hill was a goal threat in the last campaign for Winchester. His 17-goal tally in 37 games, is all the more impressive, as he was part of a relegated side. He has three in eight for his new club and is forging a formidable partnership with Gwengwe. 

Versatile right sided player Ryan Campbell has made the switch from Swindon Supermarine. Captain of his former club, the accomplished Campbell made in excess of 300 competitive appearances for the Wiltshire side. Starting his senior career with Chippenham, he brings real pedigree to his new club. 

Signing permanently for Poole this term, the gifted midfielder Salim Saied was a popular loanee from Farnborough last season. Playing over 100 games for the Hampshire outfit, Saied also has Woking and Slough on his CV.  

Keeper Adam Parkes 25, who played in the age group sides at Southampton before joining Watford and Plymouth, is a talented stopper who was between the sticks for both Gosport and Taunton last term. A former England under 17 player Parkes’ displays for Plymouth Parkway in the 23/24 campaign caught the eye. 

Defender Josh Staunton captained Yeovil in the National League and the 30-year-old established himself at that level, playing for Dagenham & Redbridge, Woking, FC Halifax and Boreham Wood additionally. Joining the Dolphins midway through the 23/24 season, he has become a big player for them. 

Midfield workhorse and renowned ball-winner Billy Lowes began his senior career at Poole. Then he moved higher up the pyramid with Weymouth for a few seasons, before a hugely impressive five-year stint at Dorchester, before returning to Poole via Bashley in the 23/24 season, Lowes is a strong performer at this level. 

Left back Kris Campbell (no relation to Ryan) arrived at The Black Gold Stadium with a vast amount of experience at higher non-league levels. Eastbourne Borough, Welling, Tonbridge Angels, Dartford, Dulwich Hamlet and Hampton Borough and Richmond have all acquired the services of the skilful technician. He is a fan favourite. 

The Yellows will need to be at their best to deliver a favourable result and getting the balance right in tightening up defensively, but maintaining an attacking threat, is a bit of a dilemma for our management team. 

With the exception of Louis Jagger Cane who has had a prolific start to the season, others haven’t been clinical in front of goal, but it’s the mistakes at the other end that Tiverton will need to eradicate, in order to make progress. Let’s get behind the lads once again and show our support tomorrow evening.