Friendly faces and a five-goal thriller

Poole Town 3-2 Winchester City. Massive victory for the Dolphins who are now just two points behind City in their quest for survival.

We headed down towards Dorset at lunchtime and went to see Nanna & Grandad and Nanna Banana for lunch before the game. We met them at Baiter and had a play by the sea as well as some chips 😋

Most of my family live in Dorset, so we do gravitate to this direction fairly regularly, but there are still trips to Christchurch, Poppies, Wimborne, Hamworthy Utd, Dorchester, Weymouth and many others to plot in yet!

It was Miss’ first visit to the Tatnam Ground, I’d been several other times with City and also with the Cherries for pre-season friendlies 🍒

Parking isn’t great at the ground, but you can park in the neighbouring school. I park on Tatnam Road and walk down, only a five minute walk though so all good.

Credit to Poole firstly. International Women’s Day so all females got free entry, lovely gesture, which was well received. A crowd of 722 watched the game, great attendance for Step Three Non-league football! Poole fans are passionate and really get behind the team. A pocket of around 100 fans congregate in the stand at the far end behind the goal and sing throughout, creating an excellent atmosphere. The locals really enjoy their football and that transmitted onto the pitch for this huge match.

Unfortunately there are no baby changing facilities ❌ There was a sign for accessible facilities, I never found them. There was a locked portakabin by the Gents so assuming it was meant to be there 🤔 so it was a nappy change on a cold toilet floor, sorry Miss 😬

Access is a bit odd. There are two routes into the ground from the clubhouse, with the middle bit blocked off. People were restricted with where they could have a beer 🍻 which confused and frustrated some. No obvious signs with where to go or why - I’m assuming relating to being so close a school 🤷‍♂️

There are raised standing areas alongside one side as well as seated stand in between. Miss had great fun going up and down the terracing, she loves this feature of football grounds! Also meant Daddy could sit down, enjoy the sunshine and watch the game.

‘Toast’ was thrown around throughout the game (a cuddly toy not left over breakfast!) Mummy has de-stained him now we’re home and he will be in the wash tomorrow along with Miss’ jeans as she threw herself around having a great time.

Games of catch with Gemma and hide and seek with Sally kept Miss entertained, plus five goals and a red card!

IK Hill was on fire 🔥 for City, scoring twice in as many minutes looking like the game had turned around, but to Poole’s credit, they were galvanized following a red card and came back into the game, went 3-2 and then defended for their lives, cue jubilant celebrations at full time.

Davo was clearly deflated at full-time (he still got a wave 👋) as were the lads as they left the pitch, Miss managed to get a high-five with Simba though 🙌 but she left IK hanging… sorry 😬🤦‍♂️

We waited for several minutes for the Poole players to leave the pitch with the tunnel pulled across. Miss was curious… 👀

We had a lovely day out spending time with family and seeing some familiar faces, whilst watching an entertaining game of football ⚽️

On to next week, next Saturday will be game 99. Then AFCB Ladies next Sunday - how fitting game 100 for Miss will be at Dean Court 🍒