WILL Spetch’s hat-trick of headers proved the difference as Poole Town saw off Wimborne 3-1 in an absolutely crazy Cross-Stour derby.

Spetch had sealed his treble inside the opening half for the hosts at Black Gold Stadium, the third coming after Bouwe Bosma was sent off for the visitors.

Dolphins and Magpies had not faced off in the league in exactly two years, with Wimborne beating Poole 2-1 at the old Cuthbury on New Year’s Day 2020.

Makeshift striker Spetch, normally a centre-half by trade, led the line for Poole, in the absence of top goalscorer Tony Lee.

After both sides exchanged tame early shots, the game suddenly screeched to a halt when Wimborne defender Dan Strugnell landed awkwardly, with what appeared a serious knee injury.

Play was suspended shortly after, leaving the 1,067 in attendance to anxiously wait on as Strugnell was stuck on the pitch awaiting an ambulance.

Once play resumed over an hour after kick-off, the drama continued. A quick Dolphins counter saw Luke Burbidge fashion in Spetch, who was bearing down on goal.

Fearing a clean breakaway, former Dolphin Mark Jamison sweeped the legs out from behind Spetch, right on the edge of the area.

Perhaps feeling sympathetic for the Magpies after the ordeal they suffered, the referee chose not to show a straight red to the last man, instead booking Jamison.

Another free-kick for Poole would lead to the opener, with Spetch nodding home a Corby Moore cross at the back post on 14 minutes.

The combination was a force the Magpies could not deal with, as Spetch and Moore again broke the Wimborne defence at a set-piece. This time Moore sent a very deep ball into the box, forcing Spetch to stoop down low and head home for 2-0.

It was a derby and of course there were feisty challenges throughout. Ex-Cherries youngster Luke Pardoe was knocked whilst in possession, leading to him flying into a challenge in order to retain possession.

Match official Lewis Sandoe blew for a foul, only for Wimborne midfielder Bosma to take offence and shove Pardoe.

Bosma’s overreaction was not matched by Dolphins’ players, leading to the former Coventry player receiving a booking.

Clearly the red mist had descended for Bosma, as shortly after he was sent off for a second booking.

An unnecessary late tackle from behind was always going to see at least a second caution, and official Sandoe quickly gave Bosma his marching orders.

Shortly after, Poole would effectively seal the three points when Spetch was released through on goal.

It appeared he would finally score a goal with his feet, but Cull deflected the strike onto the post – allowing Spetch to nod home for his hat-trick.

The second-half saw the game quieten down significantly, with Poole showing some mercy to a deflated Wimborne.

They still looked for a fourth goal to make sure of the result, with Burbidge coming closest after Jack Dickson’s surging run from the back.

On-loan Cherries youngster Jack Seddon came on to make his debut for Dolphins, but he would not be able to record a first clean sheet.

Wimborne executed a perfect counter, breaking with pace through Lewis Beale.

As Beale approached the goal, he spotted the run of Curtis Young – who latched onto the ball, remaining composed to poke the ball past Childs.

The game petered out despite Wimborne’s consolation goal, with Poole seeing out a 3-1 win.

Poole: Childs, Rose, Jackson (Seddon, 75), Spetch (Chipangura, 55), Whisken, Pardoe, Carmichael (Devlin, 84), Moore, Wright, Burbidge, Dickson.

Unused subs: Mayo, Butler (g/k).

Wimborne: Cull, Strugnell (Chugg, 8), Morrison (Mason, 85), Jamison, Torniainen, Bosma, Young, Morgan, Bartlett, Beale, Bedford (McWilliams, 86).

Unused subs: Langdon (g/k).

Referee: Lewis Sandoe.

Attendance: 1,067.