Arlesey end with loss in eight-goal thriller

Six goals came in the second half as both teams played attacking football which was pleasing on the eye for the 250 spectators.

Arlesey welcomed back skipper James Hatch and Andre Maltey for their last game of the season, but with Bobby-Joe Taylor recalled by Cambridge United, Kyle McNulty unavailable and Hallelujah Basmel missing the coach due to transport issues, they were a little thin on the ground.

Poole started strongly and Luke Burbidge attacked down the right, before Steve Devlin fed in Jordan Chedozie but he was well stopped by a good tackle from Martel Powell.

As Poole pressed forward Marvin Brookes shot over the bar after a good move and Devlin had a shot blocked.

Arlesey were also working hard and Barry Hayles fed Jonny McNamara but his shot went over the bar as he was closed down.

A good ball in from the right was then controlled by Luis Medina before Hatch hit a fine shot into the far corner of the net to give Arlesey the lead.

But Arlesey seem to be vulnerable just after they have scored and Devlin put in a cross from the right that seemed to take a double hit between Powell and Chedozie and flew past Aiden Grant to equalise.

As Poole resumed pushing forward, Burbidge did well as he was crowded in the box by Stuart Farrell and he turned before shooting over the bar.

A super ball in over the Poole defence looked to have found Hayles as he slid in but it was well taken by the alert Dan Thomas in goal.

A Poole shout for a penalty was waved away but, as half-time approached, Hayles put a good ball through to feed in McNamara but he was well stopped by Thomas.

Arlesey made a double change at half-time as Andre Maltey replaced Liam McGovern and Christian Tavernier came on for Juan Mouko-Nsue.

As Poole again pushed up, Burbidge attacked into the box but was well stopped by Maltey before Devlin hit a shot that was blocked.

Sam Willet limped off to be replaced by Curtis Shaw, while Poole made a double change as Billy Lowes was replaced by Jon Davies and Lamin Dibbe came off for Ekow Elliot.

Arlesey who made the next breakthrough as Shaw got down the right and put in a cross that found Hayles on the edge of the box; he hit a shot that went under the diving Thomas for a third goal in three games for the experienced striker.

But Arlesey yet again showed their vulnerability after they had scored as Davies cut in from the left and hit a long low shot that beat Grant to fly into the net for the second equaliser.

Suddenly Arlesey’s defence lost concentration as a cross found Dan Cann whose shot was blocked but the ever alert Burbidge quickly pounced on the loose ball to fire past Grant and give the home side the lead.

Arlesey tried to get their game back together as Hatch hit a long low shot that was taken by Thomas, before an effort deflected off Hayles and trickled past the post.

A long ball up was stopped by Maltey, but he failed to clear and it dropped to Devlin who chipped the ball over Grant from outside the box to give the home side a two-goal advantage.

As Arlesey tried to push up they were nearly caught out as another long ball found Cann but he was stopped by a fine tackle by Powell on the edge of the box.

The away side got their reward when Shaw slid an effort under Thomas and into the net for his first goal for the club on the last day of the season.

Arlesey gained a corner that Farrell headed over the bar and, as the game wound down, Devlin put in a cross that came to Cann who had a easy tap in from four yards to make it a flattering 5-3 to the home side.

With this the players played out the remaining few minutes of the season, leaving a scoreline that included plenty of goals for the spectators to cheer but not very much for either defence to be particularly proud of.