Another big game away at 4th place Alton Town faced The Dolphins on a wet and miserable midweek evening. Like Petersfield Town last week, Alton had already won 2-1 at Poole this season and were looking to close the gap at the top of the table. With Simon Lynn out with a recurring injury, Paul Maloney filled the gap on the left hand side.

From the kick off Alton moved down the pitch and with all the Poole players backing off they continued into the box and prodded the ball past Terry Stockley for a 1-0 lead. Time on the clock - about 30 seconds! Alton then continued to exert much of the pressure as they took control in the midfield and dealt considerably better with the slippy conditions than Poole did. On 17 minutes Kieron Wall sent Richard Glenister clear but the keeper closed the angle well and Glenister's shot was deflected just over the bar. More good work from Wall on 31 minutes again saw the ball laid off to Glenister and his right foot shot narrowly missed the angle of post and crossbar. These two chances were the only glimmers for Poole as Alton produced some excellent football. They deservedly took a two goal lead on 33 minutes when a great cross from the right was put away and made it 3-0 just two minutes later when a similar move resulted in a stunning left foot volley into the bottom corner of the Poole net. The half time whistle was met with stunned silence from the travelling Poole faithful as they had seen The Dolphins completely outplayed for 45 minutes. Half-Time: 3-0.

One thing Poole always guarantee is a fighting spirit and so it proved in the second half as they battled to get back into the game. Neil Wardle and Kieron Wall were replaced by Simon Flanz and debut signing Chris Smith and Martin Jones dropped into the back three as Jamie Holland moved up alongside Glenister.

On 53 minutes Holland produced some great work on the right and his superb cross was met at the far post by Glenister who managed to stretch and knock the ball in. With Poole now looking dangerous the match turned nasty and Paul Maloney was left on the deck after an Alton defender lashed out and caught him in the eye. The match was stopped for 5 minutes as treatment was given and the ref duly sent off the Alton player. Supporting your team is one thing but the ridiculous and inane comments by sections of the Alton supporters when a player was clearly injured were unnecessary and, in this instance, offensive.

With a man advantage Poole resumed with greater control and the chances starting coming. On 63 minutes Holland was sent clear and in a 1 V 1 situation the keeper raced out of his area and as the ball was knocked past him, deliberately took the striker out. With only the keeper to beat the ref awarded only a yellow card. Although no-one wants to see players sent off there was no consistency between this and his previous decision. Within another five minutes Poole had pulled another goal back when Glenister headed home another great cross from the right.

This set up a barnstorming last 20 minutes as Alton got all players behind the ball and Poole pushed forward looking for the equaliser. Corner after corner saw several goalmouth scrambles but even the extended injury time for Maloney's previous stoppage could not help
and the whistle was met by screams of delight from the Alton bench.

All in all there can be no complaints on the Poole side. They were taught a lesson in the first half but did superbly to fight back in the second period. With the chances that were created Poole could have taken home all three points but instead must now put this behind them and concentrate on the home game against AFC Aldermaston on Saturday.

Poole: Stockley, Wardle (Smith), Gater, Pratt, Mooney (Atherton), Fletcher, Jones, Maloney, Holland, Wall (Flanz), Glenister

Website News

As of the end of January, the Poole Town website has been up and running for exactly one year. The response to the site has been staggering with over 5000 hits achieved so far. I would like to take this opportunity to thank everybody who has helped or contributed to the site and this includes club officials, players and supporters.

If anyone has any ideas or suggestions for the website please drop me a line here. Thank You.

Fixture News

Please note that the home game against AFC Aldermaston on Saturday 3rd February will NOT be played at Tatnam Farm. The English Schools FA are using the Tatnam facilities and a change of venue has been arranged. If you are wanting to go and do not know where the match is taking place please either mail me here or ring me on 02380 395279 (day) or 01202 525103 (evenings) for further details.

Poole Town Football Supporters Club

With the continued success on the field and progress being made off the field with regard to securing a new permanent home, it is now seen as the right time for the launch of a new Poole Town Football Supporters Club. The Club will endeavour to give supporters a greater insight and more involvement with Poole Town as well as promoting the image of Poole Town Football Club and raising the much needed money to progress back up the football ladder.

A successful meeting was held on Tuesday 23rd January and the following appointments have been officially made:-

Chairman : Martin Sheppard
Secretary: Dick Thomas
Treasurer: Steve Bean

Another meeting will be held on Thursday 1st February at Poole Labour Club, Wimborne Road at 8.00pm. After this meeting has been held I will set up a new section on the website dedicated to the Supporters Club and how people can become members. As this website has now reached it's first birthday I have been amazed at the number of people who have contacted me from all over the world (Australia, Canada and Sweden to name but three) and who all share a common interest in the club. The Supporters CLub will also help to keep these remote supporters more in touch with the fortunes of The Dolphins.

After losing at home to Petersfield earlier in the season, the Poole players were out for revenge but also realised that this was going to be a tricky fixture to negotiate. The match started brightly and Poole soon found themselves in front - Gary Fletcher finishing from close range after a cross from Simon Lynn. The rest of the half saw Poole under extreme pressure and it came as no surprise when Petersfield deservedly equalised on 44 minutes. It is probably fair to say that this was the toughest half of football Poole had faced all season and the second half was set up to be a classic - and the supporters were not to be disappointed!! Half-Time: 1-1.

Again Poole were put under pressure from the restart and after 55 minutes, disaster struck. Neil Wardle was adjudged to have fouled a player in the box and a penalty was awarded. Wardle's continued protestations saw him sent off and The Dolphins were reduced to 10 men. The penalty was converted and Poole fell behind 2-1. Within four minutes Poole were back level - Jamie Holland scoring his 12th of the season. Better was to come as Gary Fletcher spotted the home keeper off his line and brilliantly lobbed him from a long way out. With ten men, Poole suddenly were 3-2 up but still the
pressure mounted on the Poole defence. On 77 minutes Petersfield again equalised and a minute later looked to have sealed the points when Andy Gater conceded another penalty and there was no mistake from the spot. 4-3 to Petersfield. With just minutes left manager Pete Moore brought Simon Flanz off the bench and his substitution proved inspirational as the gifted midfielder waltzed through the Petersfield defence, rounded the keeper and salvaged a vital point from the game.

Although the winning run has ended Poole remain unbeaten in 13 games and this will almost certainly be seen as a point won. With a free Saturday coming up, Poole's next game will be an equally difficult trip to Alton Town next Tuesday evening. A game half as good as this one would make the trip more than worthwhile.

Poole: Stockley, Gater, Wardle, Pratt, Mooney, Fletcher, Jones, Culliford,Lynn, Holland, Wall
Subs: Glenister, Adams, Flanz

The fixture list has been updated with forthcoming games scheduled for February. There is a total of 7 games planned for The Dolphins. Check them out here. Please note, these fixtures are subject to confirmation.

With numerous games being called off across the area due to the frozen conditions, it was an absolute credit to the groundsmen at Tatnam as they provided a fantastic pitch for the game. Freshly rolled and cut, it is no wonder that this pitch is considered the best in Poole! Darren Mooney and Simon Lynn both returned to the side and Martin Jones took the absent Andy Culliford's role in midfield.

After winning 3-0 last week away at Esso the supporters were expecting lots of goals today but the first half an hour, the visitors battled gamely and Poole were unable to carve out any real opportunities. It was a defensive error on 27 minutes that allowed Poole to take the lead - Kieron Wall pouncing to prod the ball home. Two minutes later the Esso keeper picked up the ball from a back pass and Poole were awarded an indirect free-kick just 6 yards out. The first effort had to be retaken as an Esso player was booked for dissent. On the retake Chris Pratt hammered the ball against the wall and then slotted home from the rebound. On 31 minutes, Andy Gater delivered a superb cross - Martin Jones volleyed just wide. Half-Time: 2-0.

A nice move on 49 minutes saw Jamie Holland dummy a Wall pass and again, Martin Jones saw his shot flash over the bar. Richard Glenister sent Jones clear again three minutes later and his cross to the far post saw Jamie Holland tap in for his 11th of the season. Glenister himself took centre stage as he then fired a hat-trick in 16 minutes. He chased the ball through on 59 minutes and let rip with a half volley into the corner. Nine minutes later Kieron Wall played a neat one-two and his cross was met by Glenister at the near post to make it five and he completed the rout on 75 minutes when he slammed home a Holland cross. Other chances came and went, notably Jones heading just wide from a Simon Flanz corner and Flanz himself missing an open goal after brilliant work and a super cross from Jamie Holland.

An eigth straight win for Poole Town (unbeaten in 12 games) and a fourth straight clean sheet left the fans happy and the team now need to prepare for the next two games, away at Petersfield and then Alton Town - the only two clubs to win at Poole for nearly two years!!

Team: Stockley, Wardle, Pratt, Gater, Fletcher (Flanz), Mooney, Jones, Holland, Glenister, Wall (Adams), Lynn (Maloney)

Meeting News

A meeting of Poole Town Football Club's supporters is to be held at Poole Labour Club on Tuesday 23rd January - starting 8.00pm. The new Supporters Club Committee will be set up and all are welcome to attend.

Website News

Please note that the Guestbook on this site has been deleted by mistake by Geocities GuestCities. Although they have apologised they cannot retrieve same so I have had to set up a new guestbook. Apologies to anyone who has left a message - please feel free to enter new messages on the new guestbook below.

On a cold and sunny day, Poole Town continued their march up the table with their seventh straight victory, 3-0 away at Esso (Fawley). Simon Lynn failed to recover from his injury and Darren Mooney was too unwell to play. Andy Gater returned from suspension, Paul Manning and Simon Flanz both started and Martin Jones, Kieron Wall and Danny Adams took their places on the bench. The pitch was in an awful condition being both bumpy and overgrown. With good football a remote possibility on such a surface The Dolphins controlled the game against a very poor Esso side. struggling at the wrong end of the table.

After just four minutes Poole were in front. A Paul Maloney free-kick was not cleared by the defence and Jamie Holland nipped in to tuck away his 10th of the season. Another free-kick on 21 minutes saw Chris Pratt direct a header straight at the keeper and just five minutes later Simon Flanz saw his superb header from another cross tipped brilliantly over the bar. Half-Time: 0-1.

Poole showed more composure in the second half and their superior fitness showed as they created more and more space. Richard Glenister saw a couple of left foot shots flash past the right hand post but it was a fortunate goal on 54 minutes which put Poole two up. Gary Fletcher made a great tackle in midfield, advanced down the left hand side and eventually cut the ball back from the by-line. With seemingly little danger the keeper miss handled the ball and it nestled into the back of the net. Two minutes later Glenister cut in from the edge of the box, curled the ball around the keeper only to see the ball cannon off the post to safety. Wall and Adams replaced Glenister and Manning and Adams immediately headed wide from a corner when it looked easier to score. Kieron Wall wrapped up the game on 75 minutes when he headed home an Andy Culliford free-kick.

There was some disappointment with only a few minutes left as Andy Gater was sent off for dissent, not having received any prior warning or talking to. Within two minutes of the sending off an Esso player deliberately hacked Jamie Holland down, leaving him to hobble from the pitch. The result? Yellow card. Work that one out if you can..............

Team: Stockley, Wardle, Pratt, Gater, Fletcher, Maloney, Culliford, Manning (Adams), Flanz (Jones), Holland, Glenister (Wall)

Poole Town started the new year as they finished the last - winning comfortably to make it 6 wins on the spin and extending their unbeaten run to 10 games in all competitions.

With Andy Gater out suspended, Neil Wardle came into the back three whilst Paul Maloney replaced Simon Lynn on the left side. Andy Culliford also made a welcome return. The game started brightly enough and the Dolphins were in front after just six minutes. Danny Adams sent Richard Glenister clear and his run of scoring in every game continued as he coolly slotted the ball past the advancing keeper. 1-0. The game became scrappy as the half went on and although Poole controlled the game, the flowing football of the last few weeks was absent today. The referee also made poor decision after poor decision, booking a total of five players in a game where there was not one bad tackle. A Danny Adams turn and snap shot over the bar on 40 minutes was the only other notable chance. Half-Time: 1-0.

The second half became another dogged midfield battle and eventually manager Pete Moore replaced Adams, Glenister and Fletcher with Wall, Manning and Flanz respectively. The substitution paid off in the second minute of injury time as Kieron Wall pounced in the box to slam home his 4th of the season.

Not a vintage performance from Poole but enough to secure a further three points. With another clean sheet it was nice to see the boys grind out a result when not playing to their potential. Back into fourth place and with other teams not in league action (Vospers - when are you going to start playing??), Poole continue to head towards the top of the table and a good sized crowd of 118 went home happy.

Team: Stockley, Wardle, Pratt, Jones, Mooney, Maloney, Culliford, Holland, Fletcher (Flanz), Adams (Wall), Glenister (Manning)