TOM Killick took the positives both on and off the pitch after Poole Town slipped to a 2-0 defeat against a Chelsea XI.

Goals at both ends of the second half from Charlie Brown and Tariq Lamptey secured victory for the youthful Blues side.

Dolphins had opportunities, particularly in the first half with their strongest side in action, but failed to cause major problems for the Chelsea goalkeeper.

However, after a tough test for his charges in front of a bumper crowd of 1,426, boss Killick remained upbeat.

He told the Daily Echo: “It was a really good exercise for us in all aspects.

“In terms of off the field, we got a good crowd in, with people who probably have not been here before.

“On the field, it was a very talented Chelsea team that gave us a stern examination, both physically and technically.”

Killick added: “When we were at our strongest in terms of personnel, which was in the first half, we restricted them to probably only two reasonable chances of note and we had three or four opportunities, so it was certainly quite an even game. We can take a lot from that.

“There were a lot of young players towards the end and it was pleasing to give them an opportunity. We want to send a message that there are opportunities for young players to progress and I feel it was another example of that.

“To see a lot of families and children around, with a lot of people you haven’t seen before, you like to hope a few of them might come back – that is always the hope when you get a crowd like this.”

Killick opted to select his strongest available side from the off on a sweltering summer’s afternoon at Tatnam.

And the experience within the ranks of the Southern League South outfit appeared to be more than a match for Chelsea in the early exchanges.

Neither side fashioned a clear opportunity until the 22nd minute when Marvin Brooks, fresh off his return from hit ITV show Love Island, headed over from Jez Bedford’s looped cross.

The London side continued to play second fiddle to Dolphins and Bedford should have done better with a long-range strike, which he smashed over the crossbar.

The best chance before half-time fell to former Ipswich prospect Brown but he could not control his shot from a good position in the penalty area.

In the second half, after Poole had made a raft of changes, it took the visitors just two minutes to break the deadlock.

Brown capitalised on a defensive error and slotted home, showing much more composure than he had done before the break.

Chelsea took confidence from their goal and controlled possession for the rest of the game as the hosts continued to make changes.

Midway through the half, Marcel Lewis went close as his free-kick rattled off the post and away from goal. However, his next effort led to Chelsea’s second, with Lamptey converting from close range after the Poole goalkeeper spilled Lewis’s set-piece.

Assessing where Dolphins stand with just three weeks until the start of the season, Killick said: “We need one or two additions if we can but I feel we are looking quite strong.

“We had a couple of players missing. Will Spetch was not available and Harry Baker had a tight hamstring. We will have them back soon, so for this time of year we are in a good place.”