Poole Town and Portland United go head to head tonight with a place in the Dorset Senior Cup final at stake.
The Dolphins welcome Portland to the Black Gold stadium off the back of a resounding 3-1 win over local rivals Wimborne on New Years Day.
The visitors did not kick off the year so well however, having been routed 1-5 at home by Hamworthy United.
Poole have lost 1 in their last 5 and are arguably the favourites to win it, as they sit 2 levels above their opponents on the Football League Pyramid.
It will be a tall task for Portland, as Poole go into the game searching for a place in the Dorset Senior Cup final for the first time since 2019, where they thrashed aforementioned rivals Wimborne 5-0.
Portland meanwhile are looking to book their place in the final for the first time since 2008, when they were beaten 2-1 by Sherborne Town.
Both sides have fared differently with their respective league forms this season.
Poole Town sit just outside the playoffs in 8th place in the Southern Premier South.
Portland on the other hand, occupy 17th place in the Wessex Premier.
Oli Lowes, Portland United player and ex Poole Town starlet will be facing a return to the Black Gold stadium, after he left them following a successful 2018/19 season in their reserve team.
Full time 1-4 and Oli Lowes hat- trick
— Poole Town FC 🐬 (@PooleTownFC) August 3, 2018
He bagged 14 goals in 27 appearances for the Dolphins reserves that season, but signed for Portland last year and has scored 3 goals in 21 appearances at RB and RW this season.
“I was at Poole for a good few years so it’ll be nice to go back there.
“I haven’t been back to the stadium in a few years and it’s a different situation being two leagues below, but who knows what’s gonna happen tonight.”
Lowes also spoke about his team’s setup ahead of the clash.
“We’ve had a few upsets this year drawing with top sides in our league
“Nothing will change in the way we play, we’re just gonna go there and give it our all like we do every game.”
Poole Town v Portland United kicks off at 7:45 tonight at the Black Gold Stadium, Tatnam Road.
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