Poole Town travelled to local rivals Ringwood Town in a rearranged game which gave the Dolphins a quick chance to put the memory of the Gosport Borough defeat behind them. Stuart Brown returned to the side after his enforced 'absence' from the Gosport game and he took Sean Hogan's (unavailable) place as right wing back. Dan Cann took the left wing back role which enabled Funnell to return to a more familiar central midfield position. Karim Benssaouda also started up front alongside Keith Middleton.

The difference in quality between Gosport and Ringwood was evident right from the start and Poole took full advantage and dominated the game for the entire ninety minutes. It's impossible to list every chance that came Poole's way as I would have been writing for much of the ninety minutes and wouldnt' have seen any of the game!

On 11 minutes Luke Whitley surged forward through the midfield and fed a neat ball through to Benssaouda but his header was aimed straight at the Ringwood keeper. A minute later and it was Benssaouda again as he neatly took the ball around the keeper but miskicked his shot when a goal looked certain. Any disappointment was soon overcome as just seconds later another Benssaouda run into the box saw him brought down by the Ringwood number 5. Gary Funnell stepped up and tucked the penalty away to give the visitors the lead.

On the quarter of an hour mark Benssaouda again received another pass and this time he let rip with a fine 30 yard effort which beat the keeper but dipped just too late onto the top of the bar. The second, and best, goal of the game came on 23 minutes. Stuart Brown (another fine game on his return, particularly in the first half) did well down the right and he delivered a superb cross deep into the box and there was Dan Cann to side foot a first time volley back across the box into the right hand corner. It was a well worked and well executed goal.

On 35 minutes another Dan Cann corner was headed towards goal by Benssaouda but the keeper did well to turn it round the post. On 43 minutes however he was unable to prevent another Dolphins goal. Benssaouda did well and fed the ball down the right to Brown. Brown did exceptionally well, beat his man and cut the ball back for Middleton to clip the ball past the keeper to make the half time score 0-3.

At the start of the second half it looked as if Ringwood were more fired up. Two minutes into the half they broke down the right hand side and a cross found an unmarked colleague who blasted the ball over from just inside the box. This was a rare attack however and Poole resumed their scoring on 53 minutes. A ball over the top found Benssaouda down the left and as he cut in he hit a left foot shot which, despite the keeper getting a hand to, found it's way into the bottom right hand corner of the net. Four minutes later and it looked like the excellent Trefor Smith would get a deserved goal. He made a great run from midfield, rode several stiff challenges, including the keeper, but his shot was deflected over the bar from the only defender on the line. Smith was involved again three minutes later when he fed Benssaouda. The striker put a nice pass through the defence and from a tight angle Middleton hit a shot with the outside of his right foot which narrowly went over the bar. Within 60 seconds it looked as if Taffy Richardson would score - he broke the offside trap with a perfectly timed run and after knocking the ball around the keeper he was just unable to get to it before it ran over the line for a goalkick.

Half way through the second half manager Tommy Killick rang the changes as Chivers, Chris Smith and Saadi were brought on for Middleton, Taffy Richardson and Trefor Smith respectively.

Benssaouda added his second of the game on 71 minutes. Wide on the right he cut in onto his favoured left foot and drilled the ball across the keeper into the far corner. Into the last ten minutes and Chivers saw a shot cleared off the line. The ball rebounded back out to Saadi and his run towards the box was ended with a foul right on the edge of the area. Funnell stepped up and curled the ball round the wall into the corner for his second of the game and Poole's sixth. The final chance came in the 89th minute when Stuart Brown saw his shot beat the keeper but cannon back off the post.

An excellent performance from Poole and good preparation for the upcoming game at home to AFC Totton on Saturday. The only blemish on the night was Benssaouda picking up an unnecessary yellow card for dissent in injury time.

Poole: Frampton, Whitley, Roberts, I. Richardson, Brown, Cann, Funnell, S. Richardson (Saadi), T. Smith (C. Smith), Benssaouda, Middleton (Chivers)

Poole Town's first home league game in over a month since the defeat against Fareham and unfortunately the Dolphins made it three defeats in four league games despite yet again being the better side for the majority of the game. This is probably the best football Poole have played over the course of a month since the season started and yet it also combines with the poorest results achieved in a month. Frustrating to say the least.

As part of Stuart Brown's return to Poole Town this month Gosport had requested that he not play against them so unfortunately Brown had to watch from the sidelines. Aaron Skelton too was missing and his place was taken by Fawzi Saadi in midfield. Glenister and Cann played up front. The powers that be also decided that a young inexperienced referee should take charge of such an important game. Enough said.

Gosport could, and should, have taken the lead in the first two minutes. Poole were caught sleeping at the start and a ball into the box saw Michael White completely unmarked but from two yards his toe poke was superbly saved by Max Frampton. Despite this early scare Poole came back into the game strongly and were far the better side in the first half. On 17 minutes Glenister produced a good turn and although his shot was blocked Trefor Smith pounced on the rebound and his deflected shot was well turned round the post by the Gosport keeper.

Poole had a few freekicks around the edge of the visitor's box but all were wasted as shots flew wildly over the bar. On 28 minutes Gosport had a chance when a ball was knocked down the right channel. Although clear the number 8 blasted high and wide of the goal. Seven minutes later and Dan Cann received the ball, turned but his shot was aimed straight into the keeper's arms.

Half time: 0-0.

The second half was less impressive from a Poole point of view as Gosport seemed content to defend in numbers and hit on the counter when they could. On 50 minutes Glenister helped the ball into the path of Hogan but he miskicked his shot and the ball went harmlessly wide. A minute later and Glenister picked up a knock and had to be replaced by Karim Benssaouda. On 56 minutes Poole broke on the right. From a promising position Taffy Richardson held the ball up and waited for Hogan to make the overlap down the right wing. Richardson timed his pass to perfection and Hogan was away. Unbelievably the linesman flagged offside to a player some 40 yards across the other side of the pitch! It was a dreadful decision and only topped by the referee's backing of the decision.

With the referee clearly out of his depth and making panic decision after panic decision the game descended into a bit of a scrap. On 67 minutes Taffy was clear fouled and immediately Hogan was also scythed down. The referee shouted "Settle!" to the Gosport players but allowed play to continue. Another foul by a Gosport player some seconds later was eventually met by a whistle. All 20 outfield players trotted towards the Gosport half only for the referee to point the other way and give the kick to Gosport. Needless to say tempers soon frayed and Poole picked up yellows during the match for Taffy Richardson, Dan Cann, Karim Benssaouda, Tom Roberts and Luke Whitley. Gosport managed to pick up several of their own too.

Against the run of play Gosport took the lead on 71 minutes. A freekick on the right was whipped in by Birmingham and possibly there was a touch of the head of Taffy Richardson before the ball found the corner of the net. As time wore on Killick had no choice but to push Ian Richardson up front and leave just two at the back. It was a do-or-die effort. On 79 minutes there was a Gosport corner swung in and Whitley did well to clear off the line. After a scramble in the six yard box the ball was eventually cleared for another corner.

The game was finally settled on 87 minutes. Poole were pushing up and another Gosport counter saw Frampton collide with a Gosport player and this allowed John Wilson to drill the ball home past two defenders on the goal line.

Poole: Frampton, Whitley, I. Richardson, Roberts, Hogan, Funnell, S. Richardson, Saadi, T. Smith, Cann, Glenister (Benssaouda)

Poole Town will play Sherborne Town in the semi final of the Dorset Senior Cup. Tie to be played on 27th February 2007 - venue to be announced. Dorchester Town will play the winners of Wimborne Town / Swanage & Herston in the other semi final.

The first league match since Boxing Day saw Poole travel to Moneyfields in Portsmouth. With Moneyfields having won a hard fought battle at Tatnam already this season this was expected to be a tough match. A very heavy pitch also awaited both teams. Good news for Poole - Stuart Brown has returned from Gosport Borough and with Karim Benssaouda suspended and Keith Middleton away, Brown immediately started up front alongside Carl Chivers.

This was, quite simply, one of the best performances, if not the best, from Poole Town all season. The defence was absolutely rock solid from start to finish and there is no doubt now that Mark Hankey's gap has more then been filled by Ian Richardson. He has continued to impress alongside the ever solid Luke Whitley and Tom Roberts yet again looked a quality unflappable defender at the back. How we would like to keep this defence together! The midfield was once again in control and despite only playing 65 minutes Aaron Skelton produced a performance in a different class from anyone else on the pitch. His ability to read the game and the quality of his first touch creates so much space for himself that he seems to have plenty of time to ping pinpoint passes all over the pitch. Up front? Carl Chivers worked his socks off on the heavy pitch chasing everything down and Stuart Brown, back up front where he wants to play, underlined exactly why that is with a superb performance leading the line. He looked sharp, strong in the air, worked the flanks well and his goal showed why he must surely retain the starting position up front.

The first few minutes actually saw Poole give the ball away a bit too cheaply and on just three minutes a Moneyfields player found himself through one on one with Frampton but his shot flew over the bar. It was a good chance. On 5 minutes Trefor Smith crossed and Brown got his head to the ball before another header had the ball in the back of the home net only for it to be disallowed through offside. A minute later though and a bit of a scramble saw the ball in the Moneyfields goal - Gary Funnell claiming the goal.

Even with the lead Poole piled forward looking for more and the lead was doubled as early as the ninth minute. Skelton produced a superb pass with the outside of his right foot to Brown wide on the right. He waited for support and then delivered a low cross to the back post where Carl Chivers got enough of a touch to poke it back past the keeper into the far corner.

The half continued in a very competitive but fair manner and Moneyfields looked a good side as they knocked the ball around the pitch very well indeed. On 29 minutes they produced a shot which fizzed just over the Poole bar. Two minutes later and Skelton again produced a superb pass this time drilling it from the left back position to Brown out wide right. The striker took one touch and fired his shot past the keeper but also just wide of the left hand post - a great opportunity. Funnell produced a right foot shot which went past the right hand post on 37 minutes and as the half closed out Sean Hogan picked up a yellow card, which in truth always looked like coming as he seemed more charged up than normal for this match!

Half time: 0-2.

The second half continued in the same manner as the first. On 58 minutes Stuart Brown produced some magic on the right and his cross found Chivers practically on the goal line but whether the ball stuck in the mud or whether Chivers just miskicked, but somehow the ball failed to find the back of the net. A minute later though and the points were secure. Brown was involved again and when the ball fell to Skelton he produced another great pass to put Hogan away. As the keeper came out the young wing back placed the ball past him to claim his fourth goal of the season.

The goal of the game came just five minutes later on 63 minutes. Skelton made a great block about thirty yards out and when the ball rebounded to Stuart Brown he turned and fired a stunning volley into the top right hand corner. His celebration said everything about being back at Poole and wanting to play up front!

Four up and Tommy Killick rang the changes. Fawzi Saadi and Dan Cann replaced Skelton and Chivers respectively and shortly after Chris Smith replaced Taffy Richardson. Cann had a shot just over on 72 minutes and after several attacks down both flanks a Funnell cross was headed home by Brown only to be correctly disallowed for offside. The final serious attempt on goal fell to Moneyfields when a fine shot on 80 minutes was superbly tipped over by big Max - he too has got better and better for Poole through the season.

One point of note: in the last 5 games between these two sides over the last few years the home side has never scored!

Poole: Frampton, Whitley, I. Richardson, Roberts, Hogan, Funnell, S. Richardson (C. Smith), Skelton (Saadi), T. Smith, Chivers (Cann), Brown

The away match at Ringwood Town has been postponed.

Latest match pictures are up from the Hamworthy United game - click here or follow the link on the left.

Despite the torrential rain during the early evening Poole Town returned to action as they took on Portland United in the Dorset Senior Cup Quarter Final at Tatnam. Both Trefor Smith and Fawzi Saadi were serving suspensions and Gary Funnell had only just returned from holiday so he too was absent. Back came Taffy Richardson from injury and there was a rare but welcome start for Chris Smith. Dave Sturgess also started as left wing back.

With Portland riding high in the Dorset Premier League a tough game was expected but Poole stamped their intentions on the game from the very start and in truth the result never looked in doubt. Poole got off to a fantastic start when they took the lead after just 75 seconds. A ball was played into Richard Glenister and after turning and dropping his shoulder he clipped the ball past the Portland keeper into the left hand corner of the net.

Although Poole dominated the early possession Portland managed to equalise on 18 minutes. A shot came from the right hand side of the Poole box and it managed to squirm over the line at the far corner. Despite the linesman flagging for an offence the referee overruled him and the goal was allowed to stand. Within three minutes it looked as though Poole would be back in front but a superb 30 yard freekick from Aaron Skelton cannoned back off the bar and was cleared away. It took only another four minutes for the lead to be restored however when Chris Smith cut in from the left and although his shot was palmed away by the keeper, Sean Hogan was on hand to slot the ball into the far corner.

On 42 minutes Benssaouda and Glenister combined well and Glenister's shot was well saved, being pushed around the post. Portland did break quickly just before the break and Frampton had to get down and save well when another equaliser looked odds-on.

Half time: 2-1.

Keith Middleton replaced Taffy Richardson at half time and Poole continued in the same excellent vein during the second half. On 56 minutes Benssaouda was played in and as the keeper advanced he placed the ball to the keeper's right and into the corner to score his first of the night. Four minutes later and it was 4-1 to Poole when Hogan played the pass of the match from the right wing inside the defence to Glenister. He turned one remaining defender and placed it into the right hand corner. More changes for Poole as Danny Neville and Carl Chivers replaced Sturgess and Glenister respectively.

On 71 minutes Danny Neville produced a strong run down the left and after his shot was blocked the rebound was played to the far post where Benssaouda had a simple tap in for his second of the night. Still Poole kept pushing and the final chance came on 81 minutes when a right sided corner was met by the head of Whitley but the ball narrowly went over the bar.

Another good performance from Poole and a good workout for the team as they prepare to get back to league action at Ringwood on Saturday.

Poole: Frampton, Whitley, I. Richardson, Gilbert, Hogan, Sturgess (Neville), S. Richardson (Middleton), Skelton, C. Smith, Glenister (Chivers), Benssaouda