POOLE Town face a near impossible task to reach the Wessex League Cup final after meekly surrendering the semi-final first leg 3-0 at Thatcham Town.

"We didn't just lose, we got absolutely walloped," admitted Dolphins manager Tommy Killick, whose biggest disappointment was knowing that his Division 2 promotion seekers were capable of so much more.

Thatcham, a high-flying third in Division 1, seized an early lead through an Ashley Perry back header and built on it courtesy of ex-Salisbury striker Sean Cook and substitute Adam Campion, who is back from a broken leg.

Killick reflected: "We knew Thatcham would be a good side - and they were - but even after such a comprehensive beating I still believe we haven't got too far to go to compete with these sort of teams.

"We wanted to keep things tight and gradually impose ourselves on the game, but we conceded a soft goal from a free kick in the first couple of minutes and gave them the initiative.

"The only positive thing I can say is that I know we can play much better.

"If it had finished 1-0 or 2-1 the tie would still be alive but, realistically, we know that's not the case now. All we can do is look at the second leg in isolation and see if we can at least win that game and establish some credibility."

To cap a disappointing night for the Dolphins, Division 2 leaders Lymington Town scored a slender 2-1 home victory over East Cowes Vics to pull four points clear with a game in hand over Poole.

"A couple of weeks ago I'd have said we had no hope of winning the league, but now we've got a slim hope and we've got to cling on to that and keep the pressure on Lymington," said Killick.

But he conceded: "They're still in a strong position and I'd be very surprised if they threw it away."