Three changes for Poole from the first match a week ago. Captain Ian Richardson returned from suspension and replaced Karl Yelland and Pete Smith and Chris Smith both started in place of Steve Smith and the injured Stuart Brown. Gary Funnell was suspended.

Poole needed a good start in order to quieten the crowd and they certainly got it as they looked by far the sharper in the first twenty minutes. On 4 minutes Dan Cann got on the end of a good move but his shot proved too weak and the keeper was able to fall on the ball comfortably. A minute later and a Cann long throw was flicked on and after the home keeper had spilled the ball Ian Richardson connected but could only scoop the ball over the bar.

Three minutes later and Poole were in front however. Another long throw from Cann (something Consett struggled with all game) was headed backwards over his own keeper by Mark Gaffney. This put Poole in front for the first time across both matches and they quickly looked to double their lead. On 13 minutes Dan Cann crossed from the left and after a mix-up by the keeper Pete Smith only had to tap into an empty net when he was clearly brought down. The incident has already been report widely elsewhere and suffice to say all the Consett supporters around us were convinced it too was a penalty. The referee however had other ideas and play was allowed to continue. Within a minute Poole should have finally doubled their lead - Pete Smith raced away and set up brother Trefor for a one on one with the keeper but he failed to get a good contact on the ball and the keeper saved. Consett breathed a collective sigh of relief and promptly went down the field and equalised. A move down the right saw a cross and shot which Harvell did brilliantly to save but the rebound was tucked away by Steve Brown.

This began a very good period of pressure from Consett as they looked to get on top of Poole. On 25 minutes a low skimming ball was held superbly by Harvell who, like last week, was magnificent in goal. On 34 minutes Ian Richardson made a rare mistake giving the ball away at the back. Harvell made another terrific double save before Steven Johnson drilled a nice shot into the top left corner.

Poole were hanging on a bit as the first half continued but on 40 minutes another clear cut penalty appeal was denied when a Consett defender handled in his area. Again, a number of Consett supporters conceded that it should have been a penalty but certainly there was to be no luck for Town this afternoon. Aaron Skelton was again magnificent at the back and arguably the man of the match in both games against Consett.

On 42 minutes there was a mother of all goalmouth scrambles when at least six or seven shots from just a few yards out were all cleared off the Poole line. The sound of the crowd's 'Yessss...ooohhhh' repeating time after time was actually quite funny and luckily for Poole the ball somehow stayed out. Two minutes later and another Consett shot from the left was again cleared off the line.

A breathless first half which could have ended about 7-4 to Consett finally finished at just 2-1 to the home side.

Half time: 2-1.

If Poole were very much in the game during the first half then unfortunately Consett pretty much dominated the second half and looked very good for the win. On 46 minutes some neat work on the right saw a low cross into the Poole area and the resulting shot went just wide of the post. Poole still managed the odd chance and on 60 minutes another long throw from Cann was flicked on and Culliford stuck out a foot to see the ball roll just wide of the post. Fawzi Saadi came on for Pete Smith on 63 minutes.

On 68 minutes a right foot shot from Mattie Moffat took a deflection which looped the ball over a helpless Harvell into the far corner. A minute later and a Taffy Richardson shot went wide for Poole as they now had to really chase the game. Saadi took a stupid kick at a Consett player shortly afterwards and was very lucky to only get a yellow card - it probably should have been red. At this point Poole lost their heads a bit as both Chris Smith and Luke Whitley joined Saadi in the book for bad fouls, all within a three minute spell.

The final goal came on 75 minutes - a Steven Brown freekick took another nasty deflection and Harvell could only look on as the ball found the corner of the net.

Steve Smith and Jordan Fisk replaced Chris Smith and Taffy Richardson respectively but the game played out to a win for the home side.

The end of the Wembley dream for Poole this season but all the players can be extremely proud of a great Vase adventure this campaign. For the fans too it was fantastic to travel up to Consett and to meet some great people. They are a very very good side and over the two games they certainly deserve their crack at the fifth round. Very best of luck to them going forwards.

Poole: Harvell, Whitley, I. Richardson, Skelton, C. Smith (S. Smith) , Robinson, S. Richardson (Fisk), Culliford, T. Smith, P. Smith (Saadi), Cann

Tuesday 12th February - Home to Brockenhurst
Tuesday 19th February - Home to Hamble Assc
Saturday 5th April - Away to AFC Totton

With the Vase replay taking place next Saturday 26th January, the league away game at Wimborne Town will now be rescheduled.

The draw for the semi finals of the Dorset Senior Cup have taken place and Poole Town will face Portland United on Tuesday 26th February - venue to be announced. The other semi final will be Sherborne Town V Bridport.

A massive blow was the suspension of centre back and influential skipper Ian Richardson. On the plus side both Luke Whitley and Aaron Skelton returned to the defence and Taffy Richardson made his first full start since returning from injury and it was Gary Funnell who had to make way - starting as he did on the bench. With Ben Osborne cup-tied, Stuart Brown partnered Steve Smith up front in a side much changed from the defeat at home to Totton last week.

Rumours had been rife that Consett were going to be a very good side and they certainly did not disappoint. Right from the start they looked very capable and especially dangerous going forwards. At times in this match their passing and movement was superb, carving Poole apart on numerous occasions. Both sides looked to play at a fast tempo and with a good referee allowing the game to flow, it made for a tremendous cup tie.

The opening quarter of an hour was end to end stuff as both sides looked to gain the upper hand. Poole looked god but Consett looked very dangerous on the counter. On 13 minutes Dan Cann missed a header and this allowed Consett to break the offside trap. In a one-on-one situation the Consett player chipped Harvell but the ball bounced just wide of the post - the first of several let-offs for the home side.

Poole hit back with Culliford providing a couple of crosses from the left, the best of which found Stuart Brown in the middle of the area but whilst stretching for the ball he couldn't quite get a strong enough contact on the ball.

On 23 minutes the Consett number 6 caught Trefor late and was immediately booked - a little harsh given that it was his first offence. From the freekick Dan Cann crossed the ball into the box, Taffy nodded it down and Brown fired a shot across the keeper and just wide. Ten minutes later and Cann was adjudged to have handled just outside the Poole area and Harvell had to be on his toes to tip over the resulting freekick. The end of the first half saw Consett provide good pressure on the Poole goal. One goalmouth scramble saw Harvell try to prevent a corner when he would have been better to have allowed the ball to go dead. By keeping it in he left himself out of position and a cross and shot saw the ball blocked on the line and cleared by the Poole defence. Right on the stroke of half time Consett took the lead. Taffy Richardson twice tried to play the ball out of trouble on the edge of the box when probably a big clearance would have been better and after losing the ball Poole brought down a Consett player. Steve Brown took the freekick and curled it sweetly over the wall into the top left corner - a great strike.

Half time: 0-1.

Poole started brightly in the second half and on 52 minutes they got the equaliser. A corner was flicked on by a Consett head and another touch saw the ball fly into the far corner. Although there was mention of Karl Yelland getting the touch I'm pretty sure it was an own goal (Consett match report backs this up). Either way it was all level and everything to play for again. Credit to Consett, at no time in this match did they 'settle' for a draw and replay. They continually attacked looking for a winner and it made for an exciting and nervy second half. On 55 minutes the Consett number 10 had a twenty yard effort well saved by Harvell.

Gary Funnell replaced Taffy Richardson on 57 minutes and Pete Smith replaced Steve Smith on 72 minutes. On 76 minutes Consett broke again and after getting to the bye line the ball was puled back for a shot which Harvell again did well to push away for a corner. Harvell's best save came on 86 minutes however. A shot from just inside the box looked to be heading for the corner but Harvell did brilliantly to get an outstretched hand to the ball and push it away.

Right on the stroke of full time it looked as though Consett would nick it. A neat ball was chipped over the Poole defence and two attackers raced away against one defender. The resulting lob left Harvell stranded but the ball bounced just wide of the post.

Full time: 1-1.

If anything Consett looked the more dangerous again in extra time. At times it looked as though a goal was certain only for either the finishing to be poor or they simply over played it. On 100 minutes Harvell closed the space on a forward but with another Consett player waiting with an open goal the pass went just behind him and the chance went begging. Chris Smith came on for Stuart Brown and this left Pete and Trefor Smith up front for the Dolphins.

The final good chance fell to Consett on 107 minutes. They broke the offside trap and a striker raced away with just the keeper to beat. With Poole supporters' hearts in mouths the shot was poor, going well high and wide.

A thrilling match played in an excellent spirit between two good sides. If Consett proved hard to beat today it will be twice as hard in the replay at their place. Poole can play a lot better than this however and they are certainly not out of this tie yet. Another match like this one will be most welcome - it's what non league football is all about.

Poole: Harvell, Whitley, Yelland, Cann, Skelton, Robinson, S. Richardson (Funnell), Culliford, T. Smith, Brown (C. Smith), S. Smith (P. Smith)

Both Luke Whitley and Aaron Skelton failed to recover from injury in time for this game and this meant that the Poole back line had an unfamiliar look as Stuart Brown partnered Ian Richardson at centre back with Funnell and Yelland playing full backs. New signing Mark Robinson made his debut in the centre of midfield and there was other good news with the return of Trefor Smith from injury. Dan Cann and Ben Osborne started up front with Steve Smith back on the bench.

Town started really well as they were on top in the opening quarter of an hour. The tempo was quick and they really looked as though they wanted to get in among the Totton players. Within the first 90 seconds they could, and probably should, have got a penalty. A long throw from Cann was flicked on and with Robinson pulling back his foot to shoot, he was clearly knocked over, losing his boot under the challenge. It looked fairly clear cut but the referee waved play on.

On 12 minutes the always dangerous Floyd Hamodu challenged for the ball in the Poole area. As it dropped to him again he stuck out a foot to toe poke the ball past Harvell but into the side netting. Three minutes later and Funnell delivered a quick freekick to the far post and Culliford saw a looping header go just over the bar.

On 23 minutes a superb pass split the Poole defence and a Totton player fired a shot across Harvell. With the ball running towards the goal Stuart Brown made a desperate attempt to clear the ball but he ended up in the back of the net along with the ball and Totton were in front.

There was still very little between the sides and on 31 minutes a Funnell freekick was spilled by the Totton keeper and in the ensuing scramble for the rebound the ball dribbled wide for a goal kick. With play going from end to end Totton delivered the killer blow on 40 minutes. Another fantastic ball was chipped in between two Poole defenders and the Totton number 8 controlled it before poking it under Harvell to double the lead.

Half time: 0-2.

This was almost an exact re-run of the same fixture back in February 2007. Totton grabbed a two goal half time lead then and then sat back, defended solidly and invited Poole to break them down. Poole couldn't then and it was exactly the same today. Poole dominated possession in the second half but it was because Totton allowed the Dolphins to have the ball. They defended very very well and in truth Poole never looked like getting a goal back.

Dave Sturgess replaced Ben Osborne at the start of the second half. Sturgess moved to left back with Funnell pushing up to midfield with Dan Cann on his own up front.

A defensive error on 51 minutes allowed Hamodu to race clear but Harvell made a superb save with an outstretched foot. A minute later he was called into action again as he pushed the ball away for a corner.

Poole huffed and puffed but there was no way through the Totton defence. Taffy Richardson and Steve Smith replaced Mark Robinson and Dan Cann on 61 minutes. With Poole pushing forward they got caught again on 82 minutes. Totton attacked with a two on one advantage and when the ball was eventually squared to the free striker his shot was poor and Harvell made the save.

Frustration boiled over for Poole as Brown picked up a yellow card on 84 minutes and Taffy Richardson picked one up on 90 minutes for dissent. Three minutes later and another challenge from Taffy was met with another yellow card and he was sent off.

A disappointing result as Poole again failed to find a victory against Totton. On the day the better side won. Plus points for Poole? Trefor Smith is back from injury and Robinson looked very assured in midfield - he just needs more match practice.

Poole: Harvell, I. Richardson, Yelland, Funnell, Brown, Robinson (S. Richardson), C. Smith, Culliford, T. Smith, Cann (S. Smith), Osborne (Sturgess)

The Wessex League cup 3rd round tie at home to Romsey Town has been postponed as the referee felt the pitch would be unplayable.
A new date is awaited.

Poole Town have signed 31 year old midfielder Mark Robinson. Previous clubs include Whitstable Town, Gravesend, Weymouth and Dorchester Town.

• After several requests, I have now added a page which records various statistics applicable to the Wessex Premier League for this season. The page can be found here or on the menu on the left.
  
• The 'Links' page has been updated to include all sites for current Wessex Premier teams plus an overhaul of other links. The page can be found here or on the menu on the left.
  
• With the excellent increased online content within the Bournemouth Daily Echo this main screen will carry links to the latest Dolphins stories in the Echo. These can be found above under the 'Dolphins Milestones' section.

Both sides attacked from the start and this made for a pretty open game. On 6 minutes Dan Cann made a mistake and slipped and Lymington broke clear. A cross from the right was met with a smart snapshot and Harvell was on his toes to tip the ball over the bar. The resulting corner was met with a completely free header and Harvell had to dive full stretch to push the ball away for another corner. Two very early warning signs for the league leaders.

A minute later however and Poole took the lead. Culliford took a quick throw and Osborne did well to get away down the left. His cross was met by the keeper but he fumbled it and the ball dropped to Steve Smith who had done well not to give up on his run. His touch took the ball onto the post and a defender but Smith managed to get the ball over the line for his second in as many games.

This seemed to settle Poole down as they began to control the game. On 10 minutes a Yelland corner deep to the far post was headed back across goal by Ian Richardson and Culliford fired in a shot which beat the keeper but was cleared off the line by a defender. Dan Cann picked up a yellow card for a challenge a moment later.

On 27 minutes Gary Funnell had a shot deflected for a corner and after he had taken the kick himself the ball dropped out to Stuart Brown on the edge of the box and his left foot volley looked destined for the top left corner only to be headed off the line by a defender.

Disaster for Poole on 37 minutes. A diagonal ball from left to right saw a Lymington player chase after it with Dan Cann. As both got to the ball Cann slid in needlessly and the referee had no hesitation in showing a second yellow card and Cann was sent off. It was the right decision given Cann's position as last man - no complaints.

Down to ten men and suddenly the home side took encouragement and started to make use of the space. An already stretched Poole side now looked pretty makeshift with Brown and Sturgess playing as full backs and Yelland and Ian Richardson in the centre of defence. Lymington put some pressure on the Poole goal and on 42 minutes a long range effort swerved viciously and went just wide of the post. Things were evened up right on half time when the Lymington number 6 received his second yellow card after hauling Ben Osborne to the ground - again - no complaints.

Half time: 0-1.

Both sides started the second half with ten men but it was Lymington who looked the sharper for the first fifteen minutes. Harvell was forced into another good save on 53 minutes from the Lymington number 9 - he really has proved his worth since replacing Max Frampton between the sticks.

Poole doubled their lead on 58 minutes. A pulsating run from Funnell was ended with the midfielder being brought down and it was his freekick which found Andy Culliford at the far post for a trademark Culliford header into the net. A minute later and it was Funnell again surging forward who slid the ball through to Culliford again. This time his shot was palmed away for a corner. Funnell, having an excellent game in midfield, delivered a pinpoint corner to the back post where Ian Richardson rose unmarked to head down into the goal. From looking under pressure at 1-0 suddenly Poole were three up and back in control.

Credit to Lymington they didn't allow their heads to drop and twenty minutes from time they were awarded a penalty after a foul in the Poole box. A cool finish reduced the deficit to two goals.

On 81 minutes Ben Osborne and Steve Smith who had both worked really hard all afternoon were rested and Shane Ayres came on together with a welcome return for Taffy Richardson. A minute after the substitutions and Ayres passed to Taffy and his cross drifted towards goal and had to be tipped over for a corner. Two minutes later Ayres raced across the pitch to lunge into a tackle which brought him a yellow card but he showed what talent he has with an unbelievable run a minute later. He picked the ball up in his own half and dribbled past four or five Lymington players, at pace, before sliding the ball through to set Dave Sturgess away. As the keeper came out Sturgess squared to Taffy Richardson but he could only shoot wide under pressure from a defender.

Lymington hit back on 88 minutes when a good move saw a cross and header just over the bar. And deep into injury time Poole broke with men over and after the ball broke to Funnell on the penalty spot he could only hook the ball over with an empty goal beckoning.

With Wimborne and Totton sharing the spoils at Testwood Park and with Totton visiting Tatnam next Saturday, this was a vital three points for the Dolphins. A hard working performance.

Poole: Harvell, I. Richardson, Yelland, Funnell, Brown, Sturgess, C. Smith, Culliford, Cann, Osborne (Ayres), S. Smith (S. Richardson)