It was the clash that everyone had been waiting for as the top two met for the first time this season. Unfortunately it was the weather that came out on top as the result will be void and they will have to replay at a later date.

Grant Porter started in goal for Poole with Harvell injured and Steve Smith partnered Austin up front due to Stuart Brown's unavailability. Again Skelton was preferred in midfield with Bailey-Pearce on the bench for the second match running.

At kick-off, despite the rain, the pitch was in good condition with no standing water except for small puddles in each goalmouth. This enabled both sides to play some good football and it was clear to see that both these sides are the top two for a good reason. The tempo of the game was very high right from the start and the control from all players in such slippery conditions had to be admired.

VT started well and earnt two or three corners in the first five minutes. A shot and also a block on the line from Kevin Gill kept the scoresheet clean for Poole but the threat from the home side was as strong as expected. After the initial few minutes however it was Poole who started to take control of the game as the midfield clicked into gear with Taffy, Hubbard and Skelton starting to break things up and launch concerted attacks for Poole.

On 12 minutes Gill won the ball well and streaked down the right wing. His ball into Austin was good but the final shot was saved well by the home keeper. Poole's goal came from an attack down the right again. This time Whitley provided a brilliant cross into the box and Charlie Austin headed home superbly to give Poole a deserved lead.

VT hit back straight from the kick-off, pushing forwards immediately looking for the equaliser. They couldn't have come closer than on 22 minutes when Paul Sales produced a great turn and shot in the box which beat Porter but came back of the inside of the post straight into the keeper's grateful arms. Great skill from Sales and was unlucky not to score.

It was still Poole's half however and the VT keeper had to push away a fierce shot from Hubbard just before half time. The rain had been incessant and the pitch was beginning to gather water especially in the centre circle as the two sides walked off at half time.

Half time: 0-1.

If Poole had the better of the first half it was VT who looked the stronger in what was played of the second half. Wind, driving rain and slope behind them the home side really pushed to get back into the game and a couple of early crosses into the Poole box caused some alarm in the Poole defence. Despite the pressure however the Poole defence looked solid as usual and there was good reason to expect Poole to hold out for the win.

On 64 minutes Michael White was adjudged to have fouled Sales and the referee had no hesitation in awarding the penalty. Gibbons made no mistake and VT were back level. At this stage however the pitch was becoming unplayable with firm passes getting stuck in water after just a couple of yards. The final straw came as Gill attempted to beat a player and the ball stopped dead with neither player knowing where it was. The referee immediately brought the game to an end and despite some protests from a few players it was definitely the right decision. Player safety is paramount and with VT already on several yellow cards the match would have become a lottery. Supporters of both sides want to see these two sides go head to head in terms of a football match and so no-one should complain about going through it all again.