Dolphins host Crusaders in FA Cup qualifying tie

This Saturday the Dolphins of Poole Town are set to face Berkshire side Hungerford Town in the second round of FA Cup qualifying.

Kicking off at 3pm, the hosts will look to continue their recent impressive form, which has seen them rise to second in the Southern League Premier Division South after seven matches. The Dolphins have only lost once which came in their first home game of the season against Tiverton. They also have a game in hand on the league leaders Chesham United who are just two points clear.

The Dorset side signed Havant and Waterlooville striker Ollie Dennett on an initial three month loan deal last month, and so far he has proven to be a strong force in the squad. At just 20 years of age and formerly of Eastleigh, Dennett has scored 5 goals already this season for the Dolphins. They will hope he can play a big part in a result against a strong opposition Saturday.

Tommy Killick’s side deafeated Didcot Town in Oxfordshire two weekends ago to qualify for the second round of England’s most prestigious knock-out competition. They won 1-0 courtesy of a last minute winner from midfielder Corby Moore. Being a league higher however, their opponents have only just joined the proceedings so are yet to play a 19/20 FA Cup tie.

Hungerford Town play in the National League South, which Poole were members of until relegation two seasons ago. In contrast to their seaside hosts, Hungerford have not had a pleasing start to the 19/20 season. Player managed by midfielder Ian Herring, the Crusaders sit second from bottom after eleven games.

Wins have been rare so far for the visitors, who on Saturday recorded just their second of the campaign away at Dulwich Hamlet winning 3-2.  The Berkshire men do however boast recent success over Poole, beating them 2-1 and 4-0 in the 17/18 campaign that saw the Dolphins’ relegation.

The hosts will hope that recent form plays a big factor this weekend, and a win could potentially prove that they are more than fit to continue their promotion bid this season. A win would see them reach the third round of qualifying for a third successive year. Last year they went one further before having hopes shattered at the last hurdle in a 2-1 loss to Haringey Borough.