On a beautiful day in Poole there was almost a party atmosphere surrounding the visit of league leaders East Cowes Vics. A sizeable crowd turned up to see if Poole could gain revenge for the 6-4 reverse on the island in January. 16 year old David Walsh continued in goal for Poole and Louic Rocher returned in midfield to replace Paul Maloney.

East Cowes looked the livelier of the two sides in the opening fifteen minutes as they sought to get an early lead. Despite carving several opportunities for themselves each shot ended up the wrong side of the post. On 23 minutes Poole took the lead when a seemingly harmless cross from the left was met by Mike McDonnell who looped his header over the keeper into the far corner. The rest of the first half remained fairly even although again it was East Cowes who looked the more dangerous on the break. On 44 minutes Holland knocked a header into the path of McDonnell but the resulting volley whistled past the post. Half-Time: 1-0.

Poole stepped up a gear in the second half and slowly took control of the game. The points were sealed on 58 minutes when Matty White rose to head home into the top corner after a cross from the right.   Poole never looked liked conceding after this and indeed looked like pushing on to get a third. A Rocher freekick was dropped by the keeper mid way through the second half and with three Poole players all following up the ball ended up in the back of the net only for the linesman to flag for an offence.

Another good performance from Poole Town and more evidence that O'Donnell is slowly building a team to challenge for the title next year.

Poole: Burt, Woodward, Clay, Spalding, Wood, Pratt, White, Holland (Horlock), Rocher, McDonnell (Bailey-Pearce), Elmes (Thornley)

Poole Town's current run of victories came to an end at Stockbridge when only a last gasp equaliser from Paul Maloney grabbed a point from a game which Poole controlled for long spells. With keeper Colin Randall injured Poole played the 16 year old Salisbury Youth keeper David Walsh in goal. Jamie Holland's 42 day suspension also came to a close and he took his place on the right side of midfield with Tommy Killick once again helping out up front.

Stockbridge took the lead on 12 minutes. Keeper Walsh came out to kick the ball but his kick rebounded off the Stockbridge striker from close range and the ball dribbled over the line to give the home side the lead. On 22 minutes Holland produced a bit of magic to beat two players and set off on a great run from deep in his own half. His eventual cross was met by McDonnell but the shot went just wide of the post. Half-Time: 1-0.

Poole continued to press in the second half and their build up play was as good as it has been for many weeks. The passing was crisp and movement good but the final ball just seemed to elude the Poole players. Killick especially proved again what a player he is, causing all sorts of problems in the Stockbridge defence and working hard all evening. On 61 minutes the Stockbridge No.6 was dismissed for consecutive bookable fouls on Paul Maloney and Poole sought to capitalise on having the extra man. It looked as though Poole had pulled level when Holland produced a good header from a McDonnell overhead kick but again the ball went agonisingly wide of the post. When all looked lost on the night Maloney unleashed a 35 yard volley in injury time which the Stockbridge keeper fumbled and the ball crept into the net to give the Dolphins a deserved share of the points.

Poole: Walsh, Woodward, Wood, Spalding, Thornley (Pratt), Holland, Elmes, White, Maloney, McDonnell, Killick

As Poole Town extended their current run of victories to five the Poole supporters enjoyed an individual performance which could see a new hero for the future - Darren Crook. In only his third match for the club Crook produced a superb display up front and was head-and-shoulders better than anyone else on the pitch. There was also welcome returns for Mike McDonnell (suspension) and James Wood (injury).

On a bumpy sloping pitch the chances of good passing football were always limited and the referee also helped to break up the flow of the game. Four players were booked inside ten minutes (including Matty Lovell and Rob Thornley) and yet there wasn't one bad foul in the entire match! Poole took the lead on 19 minutes - Woodward delivered a great ball across the field to Horlock who immediately played it to McDonnell who was unmarked in the box. After controlling the ball the striker fired low into the far corner for his fifth of the season. After 513 minutes without conceding a goal the Dolphins defence was finally breached on 32 minutes when despite Randall making a point blank save the Petersfield players were quickest to react and they pulled the match level. Half-time: 1-1.

The second half belonged to Crook. On 48 minutes he produced a fine twisting, turning run and his shot smacked off the outside of the left hand post and went out for a goalkick. On 52 minutes Petersfield took the lead when a cross from the left found a player completely free at the far post and he headed home to make the score 2-1. Poole were not to be denied however and the last half hour was totally dominated by the visitors. On 60 minutes Paul Maloney delivered a clever freekick into the near post and Neil Spalding nipped in to get the slightest touch for his first goal for the club. A minute later and Poole took the lead for the second time in the match. Crook made great progress down the right and delivered a perfect cross onto the head of Carl Woodward who raced in for his debut goal as well. Crook tormented the Petersfield defence for the rest of the match. He chased everything down, got a foot in at crucial moments, held the ball up superbly and delivered some great crosses from both flanks. When Horlock's shot was saved on 90 minutes it was fitting that it was Crook who was on hand to thump home Poole's fourth and his first for the club.

New coach Paul Morrell came on in injury time and there was a good cheer from the (mostly Poole) crowd when the final whistle blew.  As the injuries and suspensions gradually clear (Holland due back for the game at Stockbridge on Wednesday) so the team is getting stronger all the time. Things are looking good.

Poole: Randall, Woodward, Clay, Spalding, Thornley, Horlock, M. Lovell (Wood), White, Maloney, McDonnell (Morrell), Crook

The Dolphins notched up their fourth consecutive clean sheet with a comfortable victory at Hythe & Dibden. As usual the pitch at Hythe was dreadful and this was never going to be an attractive game of football. Despite this, after a poor opening twenty minutes, Poole took control of the game and there was only ever going to be one winner.

Matty Lovell received a booking on 31 minutes after a Hythe player hit a freekick straight at him when the ball was still rolling. Bizarre! A minute later and it was Lovell again who had a shot cleared off the line after a great cross from Horlock on the right. Darren Elmes popped up on 40 minutes unleash a shot which was brilliantly tipped round the post by the keeper but two minutes later Elmes continued his rich vein of scoring form when after his initial shot was stopped on the line by a defender the striker carried on to tap in the easiest of goals. More goals should have followed before the break as both Horlock and Elmes missed chances to double the score. Horlock looked in good form during the first half as he showed some neat touches and good composure on the ball. Half-time: 0-1.

On 54 minutes Paul Maloney produced a great run from the midfield and sent Matty Lovell clear only for the resulting shot to go wide of the post. Horlock found himself clear again on 65 minutes but in a one on one situation the keeper made another good save to deny the youngster. A minute later and Elmes was tripped in the box. Matt Lovell stepped forward and made the score 2-0 to Poole. The Dolphins were now carving through the Hythe defence at will and five minutes later another attack saw the ball saved by the keeper but bouncing off a defender into the net for an unfortunate own goal. With 15 minutes left man-of-the-match Lovell left the field to be replaced by manager Brian O'Donnell.

A solid win which keeps the good run going. With Jamie Holland and Mike McDonnell finally available again next week after suspension and with James Wood, Tony Avery and Chris Pratt hopefully all back from injury the squad should be further strengthened for the trip to Petersfield Town next Saturday.

Poole: Randall, Woodward, Clay, Spalding, Thornley, Horlock, M. Lovell (O'Donnell), White, Maloney, Elmes, Rocher,

On a wet night in Hampshire Poole Town produced their best performance of the season to end rivals Winchester City's unbeaten home league record and complete a memorable double. Superb performances right throughout the side and a brilliant strike from Darren Elmes capped a great night for the travelling Poole supporters.

On loan striker from Salisbury Scott Griffin partnered Jason Lovell up front and with Darren Crook playing up behind the front two it was quite an attacking side that manager O'Donnell fielded.

Poole opened the match the brighter of the two sides but after ten minutes Winchester began to find their feet and the momentum swung back to the home side. On 17 minutes there was a real scare for Poole when City should have taken the lead. A shot from the edge of the box cannoned back off the bar and with keeper Randall already on the ground and helpless a City player dragged a shot wide from 5 yards out with an open goal beckoning. In truth Winchester never fashioned as good a chance again as the Poole defence remained rock solid under some intense pressure. The deciding goal came on 32 minutes - Jason Lovell producing an exquisite header to Elmes who turned and volleyed over the top of the keeper into the net from a tight angle. Half-Time: 0-1.

Louic Rocher replaced Crook at halftime and the Frenchman produced some nice football during the second half. When the ball dropped invitingly to Elmes again on 63 minutes the lead should have been doubled but his volley this time shot over the bar. Winchester continued to push for the equaliser and they racked up corner after corner in the second half in search of the elusive finish. With a few gaps now appearing in the home defence Poole looked to hit on the counter and Jason Lovell was denied by the keeper on 65 minutes after a great ball from Griffin on the left had sent the striker clear. Both Paul Maloney and Matty White were magnificent in the middle of the field as they battled right to the end to keep the home side at bay.

Despite Chris Pratt leaving the field injured the defence held firm and with Neal Spalding again commanding the back line the final whistle was met with huge cheers from the Dolphins fans. The team received a great ovation as they left the pitch and it was great to hear encouraging remarks from City supporters about the current Poole side. Special mention must be made to the Winchester City hospitality as, once again, they made everyone connected with Poole very welcome and helped make the night a memorable one. Nice one guys - it's great to see two non-league clubs with such history and ambition battling it out. Surely these two sides will meet again over the coming years but much higher up the football ladder. They both deserve it.

Poole: Randall, Pratt (Horlock), Woodward, Spalding, Thornley, White, Maloney, Elmes, Crook (Rocher), Griffin, Lovell

Poole Town kept a second consecutive clean sheet within the space of four days as they overcame lowly Bishops Waltham Town at Tatnam by the single goal of the game. New signing Darren Crook from Southern Premier League Salisbury City partnered Darren Elmes up front and Carl Woodward made his home debut as well.

In an uninspiring first half both sides struggled to come to terms with a very strong wind and chances were few and far between. The best chance fell to the visitors on 34 minutes but after Colin Randall had made a great save in a one-on-one situation, Neil Spalding somehow managed to follow up and hook the bar over from practically under the crossbar - a great clearance. Half-Time: 0-0.

Just like the game in midweek Poole upped the ante in the second half and gradually took a stranglehold on the game. The passing and movement was much sharper and soon the chances began to flow for the Dolphins. A freekick on 55 minutes saw Maloney volley the bar into the area and after controlling the ball neatly with his chest Darren Elmes steadied himself and fired into the far corner to give Poole Town the lead. A superb cross from the left five minutes later saw Crook head narrowly wide and the striker capped a fine debut performance with a dipping shot which narrowly missed the far post a few minutes later.

The new boys are beginning to gel into the squad now with Spalding, Pratt and Woodward looking very secure at the back - Woodward again looking very comfortable on the left. Robbie Cook again came on as a substitute and provided some neat work in the midfield and Crook up front looked very lively - capable of giving any defence a hard time.

Poole: Randall, Pratt, Woodward, Spalding, Thornley, Horlock, Rocher (Cook), White, Maloney, Elmes, Crook

New signing from Christchurch Carl Woodward lined up in the defence for his debut and Rob Thornley and Stuart Langrish both made their first full starts for the club as well. With both Lovells, Avery, Holland, McDonnell, Jones, Wood and Gater all unavailable Tommy Killick made a welcome return to help out up front alongside Darren Elmes.

Although the first half ended goalless it was a thoroughly entertaining 45 minutes of football as both sides contributed to the match. Esso made a mockery of their lowly league position playing some neat attractive football and looking threatening on the counter-attack for much of the match - their blond No.9 looking particularly lively up front.

The first chance came on 15 minutes when Elmes volleyed over when well placed. Five minutes later and after some neat exchanges it was Elmes again who headed just wide of the left hand post. On the half hour a great through ball from Thornley sent Killick clear but his shot ran agonisingly past the far post with the keeper beaten. Half-time: 0-0.

The second half saw Poole step up a gear and much of the time the Dolphins remained camped in the Esso half. Several times during the half there were huge goalmouth scrambles in the Esso goal but the ball managed to avoid finding the back of the net.

Tommy Killick continued to look sharp up front and with Rocher, Maloney and White all playing well in midfield it seemed a matter of time before the breakthrough would come. When Esso did manage to counter Neil Spalding, who produced another fine performance, was more than up to coping with the danger.

As the clock registered the 90 minutes and the game entered a considerable period of injury time it looked as though it would remain goalless but 10 minutes into injury time and with virtually the last kick of the game, Darren Elmes raced into the box after good work from Horlock and thumped the ball home to nick the three points for Poole.

A much better team performance from Poole but credit must be given to Esso (Fawley) who made a super game of it and defended as though their lives depended on it - they really did deserve something from the game.

Poole: Randall, Pratt, Woodward, Spalding, Thornley (Horlock), Rocher, Langrish, White, Maloney (Bailey-Pearce), Elmes, Killick

Despite the welcome return of Jason Lovell to a Poole Town shirt The Dolphins produced one of their worst performances in recent memory to record their biggest home defeat in years. Although the club is still suffering with injuries and suspensions there was simply no excuse for this display and Locks Heath deservedly walked away with all three points.

The signs looked ominous as early as the fourth minute when Locks Heath carved the Poole defence open and a fine snap shot from the edge of the box left Randall stranded to give the visitors the lead. Two minutes later and Poole should have equalised. Good work from Matty Lovell down the right saw his cross volleyed over from close range by Darren Elmes. A minute later and a superb Jason Lovell header was tipped onto the bar and over for a corner. Unfortunately this was as good as it ever got for Poole as Locks Heath took over for the rest of the match. On 9 minutes Randall was again beaten by a shot but the ball cannoned off the post, ran across the empty goal and eventually went out for a goal kick. On the quarter of an hour a Poole hand stopped another certain goal and the referee immediately awarded a penalty. Despite everyone (players and supporters) telling the referee that it was Louic Rocher who had handled the ball the ref got the wrong player and Neil Spalding was sent from the pitch to reduce the Dolphins to ten men yet again.The penalty was duly converted to put Locks Heath 2-0 up.

On 23 minutes Matty White broke clear from the halfway line but despite running in on goal his shot was straight at the keeper who saved comfortably. Poole Town were let off again just before half time when a blatant foul in the Poole box went unpunished by the ref. Half-time: 0-2.

The hour mark saw Locks Heath wrap up the points when a great break was clinically finished with a super right foot shot into the corner of the net. Louic Rocher clipped the post from a free kick on 67 minutes but with the exception of Jason Lovell who always posed a threat Poole never looked like getting back into the match.

Although not a great season on the field this was perhaps a new low for the club this year. With Omoto having seemingly gone and quality players like Paul Maloney not featuring, Poole are entering a tricky phase. Club captain and fans favourite Martin Jones was substituted on 70 minutes and was clearly unhappy at coming off - has he played his last game for the club also? Poole now face a tricky away game at Esso (Fawley) on Wednesday in a rearranged fixture and with both Lovells unlikely to make the journey it could be another very difficult 90 minutes.

Poole: Randall, Pratt, M. Lovell (Wilson), Spalding, Jones (Thornley), Rocher, Horlock (Cook), White, Bailey-Pearce, Elmes, J. Lovell