Poole's ground had a crowd of 1652 for the FA Vase semi-final first leg

Poole Town chairman Chris Reeves has warned defence will still be key to overturning Whitley Bay's advantage in the semi-final of the FA Vase.

Whitley came from behind to score two late goals and leave Poole facing a 2-1 first leg defeat last Saturday.

Reeves told BBC Radio Solent: "The players will have to have a solid and professional approach to this game.

"In big games you got to be disciplined and keep your shape, then you have a chance to control the game."

Whitley Bay, who have won the FA Vase for the last two years in a row, beat Poole 3-1 in the fifth round of the Vase last year.

There's a huge amount of quality in our side and our players are determined to do what they can to put things right Poole Town chairman Chris Reeves

"Whitley are favourites but we have the ability to turn this tie around and win," said Reeves.

"We've got to be solid and confident that with only one goal in it, the game can change at any moment.

"There's a huge amount of quality in our side and our players are determined to do what they can to put things right.

"It's not going to be easy, but we're capable of it and we believe we can do it and that's what we're going to do."

Meanwhile, the club's plans for a new £2m stadium at Bearwood will now go before Borough of Poole Council on 14 April. The plans were originally due to go before the council planning committee earlier this month, but the meeting was postponed for a second time.

"Yes it's going to go ahead in April. There's huge amount of public support for it and we're hoping to have large numbers turning out for the meeting to demonstrate the huge support we have to the councillors," said Reeves.

"I would find it inconceivable that the meeting would be postponed again, we are very confident it will happen on 14 April and hopefully we will get a good result."

E-mail this to a friend

Printable version