Poole Town finished off the season with a home game against bottom of the league AFC Aldermaston. Darren Crook made another welcome (and impressive) performance for the Dolphins as they came from a goal down at half-time to win the game 2-1. The crowd of 142 ensured that Poole finished the season with an average home crowd of exactly 150 - a considerable increase from the average of 108 from last year.

Aldermaston created the early chances and only a fine point blank save on eleven minutes prevented the visitors from taking a shock lead. Gradually Poole took command of the game and Jamie Holland featured prominently in all the good moves. A fine run and cross from Holland on 21 minutes saw Rocher with a chance to score but his finish at the far post went over the bar. A minute later and Holland was involved again. His cross was met by Darren Crook who produced an overhead kick to Elmes on the far side and his overhead kick flashed over the bar. Spectacular stuff! Poole then seemed to lose their way and Aldermaston once again got back into the game and it came as no surprise when Aldermaston broke to score on 40 minutes. Half-time: 0-1.

Whatever words were said at half-time, it seemed to do the trick as Poole produced a far better second half display. Carl Woodward (superb on the left) produced a great ball on 48 minutes and McDonnell latched on to it, held off a couple of defenders and calmly slotted the ball past the oncoming keeper. Eight minutes later and Poole took the lead. Rocher found Elmes who set off on a great run. His final shot was fumbled by the keeper and McDonnell nipped in to score his second of the match. Just two minutes later Rocher unleashed a fierce shot which cannoned back off the bar and Holland blasted his volley over when well placed to score.

Poole finished off the match well in control and left the field for the final time this season to a rousing reception from the supporters.

Poole: , Pratt, Wood, Woodward, Clay (Lovell), White, Holland, Rocher (Horlock), McDonnell (Bailey-Pearce), Elmes, Crook

Thanks to the hard work of Dave Hukin, Dick Thomas celebrated a great testimonial evening at Tatnam as his Poole Town Select took on a young Sheffield United XI. Poole favourites Peter Moore and Dave Hukin returned to the dugout for this one-off and ex-Poole players Leigh Phillips, Andy Culliford, Terry Stockley, Shaun Brooks and Tommy Killick all turned up to contribute to the evening.

After a presentation to Dick Thomas before the kick-off the match started brightly with Poole matching the Blades right across the park. A sign of things to come on 6 minutes however when Sheffield carved the Poole defence wide open to score an easy goal. A couple of minutes later and Poole provided their own quality - the excellent Culliford and Fletcher combining well on the edge of the box before Fletcher's cross was headed just wide by Phillips. An entertaining first half in which Poole managed to contain United fairly well. Half-time: 0-1.

Wholesale changes were made at halftime by Poole and gradually Sheffield United upped the pace and started making more and more chances. In a similar way to the pre-season friendly between the clubs the sheer speed and movement of the United youngsters was great to watch and they really provided some excellent entertainment. Sheffield added some quality goals in the second half and raced into a 4-0 lead. The nicest moment of the night? Dick's son Mark came on for Poole and when a Sheffield player handled in the box it was Mark who stepped forward to drill the ball into the corner from the spot, turning to signal to his father that the goal was for him.

Sheffield added another before the end to match the pre-season score of 5-1 and as the players shook hands Dick Thomas left the field to an ovation from the crowd and players alike.

After the match Dick was presented with a signed shirt and other souvenirs from Sheffield United and Poole Vice-Chairman Chris Reeves delivered a fine speech thanking Dick for all his work and commitment over the last fourteen years.

A great night for all concerned and many thanks to Sheffield United for making the trip down and making it a special night to remember for Dick.

Poole from: Stockley, Spillane, Brooks, Pratt, Wood, Lovell, White, Holland, Rocher, Fletcher, McDonnell, Killick, Tilley, Phillips, Culliford

Unfortunately I was unable to attend this match so the following details were gleaned from the ClubCall Line.

With Colin Randall and Paul Spillane still injured Poole's ex-keeper Terry Stockley came to the rescue and returned to take up the gloves again for the Dolphins. Also making a very welcome return was Gary Fletcher to the midfield.

Poole took the lead on 2 minutes when Darren Elmes followed in to score after good work from Woodward and Holland. The lead was doubled just two minutes later when Elmes crossed and Fletcher followed up a McDonnell shot to crash the ball into the net. Jubilation was short-lived however as Horndean pulled one back a minute later and then on 10 minutes Horndean were awarded a penalty after Poole defender Matty Lovell had been fouled in his own box! So, 10 minutes gone and the score already 2-2!

Poole again took the lead on 18 minutes when Elmes pounced again after a Horlock shot had been saved. On 26 minutes Holland was brought down in the box but Lovell's penalty flew over the bar. This was to prove costly as two minutes later Horndean again scored to bring the game level. Worse was to follow on 33 minutes when a James Wood backpass pulled up short and Horndean scored to take the lead for the first time. What a half! Half-time: 4-3.

A double substitution on 53 minutes saw Rocher and Clay replace Horlock and Lovell respectively. Four minutes later and it was Poole's turn to draw level again - Gary Fletcher scoring his second of the match. 81 minutes saw Horndean take the lead again but Poole earnt the deserved draw when Rocher delivered a stunning cross / shot from the left which flew over the keeper into the net with just a minute remaining.

Poole: Stockley, Pratt, Woodward, Wood, Lovell (Clay), White, Holland (Bailey-Pearce), Horlock (Rocher), Fletcher, McDonnell, Elmes

Dick Thomas Testimonial

This coming Wednesday 17th April sees a Poole Town Select take on Sheffield United at Tatnam in honour of Dick Thomas's 14 year stint with the Dolphins. A hugely popular guy at the club it aims to be a great night so please come along to enjoy the evening. Tickets are £3 adults, £1 U18 / OAPs and can be obtained from myself or Dick Thomas. Entrance can also be paid on the gate as well. Kick-off 7.30pm

Only a scratch side was able to travel to Portsmouth RN for this rearranged Hampshire Premier fixture and it showed as Poole slipped to another defeat. Salisbury reserve keeper Burt stepped in help out the current injury crisis and Tommy Killick again filled in up front alongside Darren Elmes.

Poole got off to a good start and after just six minutes Killick was needlessly tripped in the box and he took the penalty himself to give the Dolphins an early lead. Poole certainly looked the better side in the first half but again suffered from poor finishing. Chances came and went throughout the first half most notably a fierce Rocher shot with his right foot which flashed past the post on 32 minutes. Poole were punished for their slackness when on 40 minutes a cross from the left was not defended properly and a Portsmouth player nipped in to loop a header over the keeper to make the scores level. Half-time: 1-1.

The second half proved very disappointing as Poole's passing fell to pieces and at times it looked like they had just given up. Despite this the best passing move came on 60 minutes when after some neat football Elmes controlled the ball and fired Poole back into the lead. Poole never looked like holding the lead for long as Portsmouth began to control the midfield with ease. On 73 minutes a simple corner was not defended, presenting the Navy player with a simple tap-in from a yard and worse was to follow when Portsmouth grabbed the winner deep into injury time. A big punt from the keeper was not defended and with the keeper glued to his line again the striker nipped in to head home an easy goal.

This was a disappointing display by Poole and it now seems that the end of the season can't come quick enough for all concerned.

Poole: Burt, Whatling, Pratt, Woodward, Bates (Toghill), White, Holland, Horlock, Rocher, Killick, Elmes

Poole Town's recent unbeaten run of eight games came to an end as bogey team Alton Town made it four consecutive victories over the Dolphins in the last two seasons. Carl Woodward and James Wood returned to bolster the defence and Darren Elmes partnered Mike McDonnell up front.

After 10 minutes Poole fashioned the first chance of the match. After a poor kick from the home keeper Darren Elmes fired a volley straight back over the bar. On 17 minutes Poole suffered a major blow when Neal Spalding was carried from the pitch with a nasty leg injury. Although Paul Maloney came on it was Matty White who dropped into an unfamiliar role at the back. Poole continued to battle well in the first half but generally the quality of football from both teams left a lot to be desired. Keeper Spillane also picked up an injury and spent the rest of the first half limping in the Poole goal. On 44 minutes Gary Horlock robbed the last defender and set off towards the Alton goal. Panic seemed to creep in as his shot was dragged well wide with a pass to the unmarked Jamie Holland looking the better option. As the match moved into considerable first half stoppage time Rocher delivered another trademark freekick which left the keeper for dead but cannoned back off the bar before being cleared to safety. Immediately Alton broke on the counter-attack and possibly the only quality move of the game saw them take a half time lead. A great flowing move down the field saw a terrific cross from the right and a clinical finish past the injured Spillane. Half-time: 1-0.

As the players took to the field for the second half the news filtered through that Spillane was unable to continue in goal for the Dolphins. As luck would have it Neal Spalding is reputed to be a very good keeper but he had already left the pitch injured so striker Mike McDonnell took over the keeper's jersey and Bailey-Pearce took McDonnell's place up front. This seemed to affect the Poole players badly as the second half saw Alton piling on the pressure and camping in the Poole half. Poole's passing football crumbled away in the second half and their poor play was matched by Alton's woeful ability in front of goal. Shots rained in from all over the pitch but most failed to trouble the Poole goal. Whenever a shot was on target McDonnell produced some brave (if unconventional!) goalkeeping to keep the home side out. Eventually however more poor defending on 73 minutes allowed an Alton player an easy tap-in to wrap up the points.

Poole: Spillane (Bailey-Pearce), Spalding (Maloney), Pratt, Woodward, Wood, White, Holland, Horlock, Rocher, McDonnell, Elmes

What a difference two days make! On Saturday in blazing sunshine a strong Poole side put on an excellent display to beat the league leaders. Today in a biting cold wind a severely depleted and makeshift Poole side performed well under par but still managed to come away with all three points. Players missing today - Wood, Clay, Avery, Jones, Matt Lovell, Randall (all injured), Woodward (sick), Maloney (suspended), Elmes, Bailey-Pearce, A couple of new faces came into the side and some players also played out of position (Thornley in centre midfield and Holland up front).

So a strange line-up and a strange game! There was little atmosphere at Ringwood and both teams looked liked they were suffering from post Easter hangovers! The quality of football was pretty poor from start to finish as neither side managed to find any rhythm at all. The only surprising part of the game was that either side managed to put the ball in the back of the net.

Ringwood made the early running - a freekick whistling over the bar on eleven minutes. On 32 minutes a long ball was played from the Ringwood defence. The home striker managed to head the ball over the advancing Spillane but the ball bounced high and over the empty goal.A minute later and Spillane was again called into action as he made a fine save low down to his right to push the ball round the post for a corner. On the stroke of half time Poole took the lead with a bizarre goal. A freekick wide on the left was hoisted into the box by Rocher and the keeper completely missed it and the ball went in. McDonnell claimed the slightest of touches to score his 6th of the season for Poole. Half-Time: 0-1.

It took just 15 seconds for Poole to double their lead in the match. From the kick-off Bates crossed the ball into the area and Jamie Holland finished with aplomb to score his first since returning from suspension. On 68 minutes Ringwood pulled a goal back when a cross-come-shot from the right eluded the keeper and flew into the top corner. Ringwood pushed for the equaliser but again Spalding and Pratt at the back remained solid. On 85 minutes a Pratt freekick was headed back across goal by Horlock and McDonnell's snap header fell just wide of the post.

Poole: Spillane, Whatling, Spalding, Pratt, White, Thornley, Bates, Holland, Horlock, Rocher, McDonnell (Morrell),