Another tremendous display saw Poole Town sweep Southern Premier Merthyr Tydfil aside as the Dolphins go into Monday's draw for the Second Qualifying Round. After the recent terrible weather, the sun shone brightly on a warm day at Tatnam. The pitch again, was in superb condition.

After some players were rested in midweek it was back to the usual starting eleven for Poole. Despite the nine match winning streak prior to this game, everyone knew that Poole had to step up once again if they were to have any chance against a side two playing two leagues higher. Even by Poole's standards this season this was a fantastic performance from start to finish and quite simply, the result never looked in any doubt.

The Dolphins got off to the best possible start. From the off they were right into the visiting team and pressured the Merthyr goal straight away. A defensive header on just three minutes went awry and gave Poole a corner. Hubbard's corner was flicked on by Taffy Richardson and after Stu Brown's shot was parried by the keeper Kevin Gill nipped in to sweep the ball home - his second goal in as many games.

On 12 minutes it looked as though Poole had doubled their lead. Bailey-Pearce provided a great cross from the right and Taffy Richardson rose superbly at the far post to head the ball home. Wild celebrations followed before the referee disallowed the goal as Richardson was deemed to have 'climbed' on the defender. It was a poor decision. The defence hadn't picked up Taffy's run at all and it was a perfectly good clean jump.

It was all Poole though and they continued to threaten every time they went forward. On 15 minutes the Merthyr keeper kicked the ball weakly straight to Austin. He gave the ball to Bailey-Pearce and his perfect cross was met by Stuart Brown but with the goal at his mercy he glanced his header wide of the right hand post. It was a great chance. Six minutes later and Bailey-Pearce saw his freekick cleared off the goal-line with the keeper beaten.

The next chance came a minute later and this time it did extend Poole's lead. A nice ball into Austin saw the young striker turn and fire in a shot. The keeper again parried the ball but Austin thumped in the rebound to continue his incredible form.

The last fifteen minutes of the first half probably saw Merthyr's best spell of the match. On 28 minutes some neat football was ended by a superb defensive block from Mickey Hubbard. The frustration from Merthyr players and supporters was clear to see and the visiting team certainly upped the physical side of their game.

On 34 minutes, after some Merthyr pressure, Bailey-Pearce broke brilliantly, racing fully 50 yards. He played the ball to Austin who then received a return pass from Gill. Austin's shot was superbly tipped onto the crossbar by the keeper and Bailey-Pearce just failed to convert the rebound.

Half time: 2-0.

Merthyr made changes at half time with both wingers being replaced. With a change of formation they looked a little better and on 56 minutes they could have pulled one back. A neat pass inside the Poole box saw a striker bear down on goal. As Harvell came out to narrow the gap the ball was squared beyond the Poole keeper but Lamin Dibba was on hand to clear the ball away.

Any hopes Merthyr had of getting anything from the game ended on 61 minutes. Charlie Austin, in midfield, brilliantly turned and sent Gill away down the right. His cross was missed by the keeper and Stuart Brown collected the ball, turned and fired. His shot was acrobatically saved by a defender on the line who was promptly sent off for deliberate handball and Poole awarded the penalty. Nineteen year old Austin stepped up and slid his 11th goal of the season low to the keeper's right. The celebrations from him as he raced down the touchline show just what scoring means to this kid - he certainly looks a very special player.

Tempers were flaring a bit now as Merthyr's frustrations increased. Taffy Richardson and Stu Brown picked up yellow cards as the referee went a little card crazy. He simply was not going to allow any physical contact in the game whatsoever. Time and again the whistle blew for the slightest touch and it didn't help the game to flow.

On 69 minutes Dibba played a backpass to Harvell. The keeper produced a poor kick straight to a Merthyr striker but his shot fell straight back into Harvell's arms. A Merthyr corner also ended with a shot which squirmed past a few players and hit the Poole post but it too was cleared away. Another cross was easily caught by Harvell but the Merthyr number 9 made a late needless challenge. Having only been booked minutes before he picked up his second yellow card and Merthyr were reduced to nine men.

Steve Smith, Dave Sturgess and Jack Swann replaced Brown, Richardson and Austin respectively - all of them receiving a great ovation from the crowd.

Poole's last chance came on 85 minutes. Steve Smith robbed the ball well and crossed to Bailey-Pearce. He cut inside the defender and his left foot shot curled over the keeper but just missed the top left corner.

A terrific performance backed up by a superb atmosphere at Tatnam. The players were cheered loudly from the pitch and the players lapped it up!