BOSS Tom Killick praised his Poole Town side after they responded in perfect fashion by comfortably dispatching Yate Town 3-0 at Black Gold Stadium.

Goals from Josh Leslie-Smith, Harry Baker and Ollie Dennett paved the way for all three points for Dolphins and provided a tonic following Tuesday’s last-gasp defeat to Tiverton.

Assessing the victory, Killick told the Daily Echo: “It was strange, because part of me felt the game lacked a bit of spark, which is a ridiculous thing to say when you win 3-0.

“It was almost too comfortable at times, which led to us becoming sloppy.

“Yate looked good up front and they’ll trouble a few teams, so there was no room for complacency. I reminded the players of that at half-time.

“After Tuesday I would have been disappointed if there was complacency. But in the second half we played with a bit more snap and saw the game out.”

Dolphins dominated the early exchanges and could have gone ahead just three minutes in when ex-Cherries youngster Josh Carmichael smashed the bar from 30 yards out.

Poole’s early pressure set the tone for a controlling performance and they eventually took the lead from the unlikeliest of sources – left-back Leslie-Smith grabbing his first goal in Poole colours.

Trying his luck from distance, the defender caught Adam Forster out in the Yate goal with a bobbling effort.

Dennett smacked the woodwork a few minutes later with a rasping drive, before Dolphins doubled their lead via Baker.

Dennett turned provider when he fed the ball into the frontman, who lifted over the onrushing keeper to open his account in red and white.

After the half-time break the hosts again remained on top, retaining possession and keeping Yate at bay.

The was game ended as a contest on 67 minutes when Dennett poked home from Will Spetch’s header.

With Dolphins’ summer dealings in the form of Dennett, Carmichael and Baker all impressing, Killick was full of praise for the trio.

“Harry is a very good focal point for our attack,” he added.

“He secures the ball and allows us to get up the pitch, as well as being a goal threat.

“I was very pleased for him (to score). As a striker, when you join a new club, it goes without saying that you want to get off the mark early.

“I didn’t want it to drag on and affect his confidence. His performances have been very good and hopefully this will give him a boost to grab a few more.

“The same goes for Ollie and Josh – their input and impact has been really good and I hope that continues.”

Dolphins are up to fourth in Southern League South ahead of their bank holiday double-header against Weston-super-Mare and Wimborne.

Poole: Cairney, Dickson, Leslie-Smith, Spetch, Whisken, Bedford (Grange, 61), Carmichael, Moore, Baker (Cope, 76), Brooks, Dennett (House, 86). Unused subs: Smeeton, Jackson.