There was a real end of season feel to this game as both sides went through the motions and, on an awful pitch, good football was almost non-existent. A makeshift side saw Maloney into midfield and with Cornick alongside him, Hareld Todnem started up front alongside Benssaouda. Anyone remember my match report from the Micheldever match last year (see here for full match report)? Well Mr Davies sent three off in that match and he sent Reeks and Benssaouda off just a month ago when the Dolphins travelled to Horndean in the league. Guess who was the ref for this game? And we don't need a 'What happened next?' competition to guess that there would be more lunacy this time round.

The first real chance of the match came on 28 minutes when Carl Woodward delivered a great ball over the defence but after controlling the ball Benssaouda fired his shot wide of the post. A replica move two minutes later involving the same players saw the same result. On 34 minutes however it was the home side who took the lead when a ball dropped in the Poole box and was clinically hooked into the corner. On 41 minutes Cornick limped off and Ricky Muir came on into the midfield. Just before half-time Poole were level when Danny Robbins knocked the ball back across the face of the goal and Benssaouda rose at the far post to head home. Half-time: 1-1.

On 53 minutes Benssaouda got away down the left and his cross was met by Todnem who stabbed the ball home to put the Dolphins in front. Mr Davies, no doubt acutely aware that no-one had been sent off yet, dished out the first red card to a Liss player a minute later, presumably for dissent. On 61 minutes a great ball from Maloney sent Benssaouda clear but his shot could only find the side netting. Three minutes later and Maloney found Benssaouda again - this time Karim crossed to the far post and there was Todnem again to head home his second of the match.

On 65 minutes Potter was nearly caught out by a looping long range shot but after parrying the ball he managed to get up to make a superb point blank save from the rebound. On 77 minutes Potter was left exposed at the back and he was helpless to stop a left footed shot from finding the back of the net. Ten man Liss continued to battle and Hayfield made a great clearance off the line with just seven minutes left to keep Poole in front.

Any chance Liss had was dashed towards the end when another of their players was cruelly sent off after receiving a straight red card for kicking the ball away. This just topped another dreadful display from the ref who felt the full rage from both sets of players. That is seven players he has sent off in the three games I've seen and I don't think there has been one bad foul in the entire series of matches. If he doesn't retire at the end of this season then someone should make that decision for him. He ruins games for players and supporters alike and it is just not good enough. As the second Liss player was sent off, another Liss team-mate told the ref that everyone was laughing at him. And he wasn't wrong. The real problem is that the ref seemed to find it all a lot funnier than everyone else.

Poole's season finished with a flourish in injury time as Benssaouda tricked and tormented three players before crossing to Todnem who smashed in his hat-trick to wrap up the points.

Poole: Potter, Mooney, Wood (P. Morrell), Woodward, Robbins, Hayfield, Maloney, White, Cornick (Muir), Benssaouda, Todnem

On a wet and windy night at Shaftesbury, Poole Town's hopes of lifting a trophy this season were blown away by three superb Sherborne goals and a Poole first half performance which was inept at best. Whilst the scoreline suggests an exciting game it was, for the most part, always looking like going to Sherborne and it would have been an injustice had they not won the cup. Simple as that!

The first half was a nightmare. The Poole players looked totally disinterested in the whole game and the team failed to string two passes together for nearly the entire half. Whilst the conditions didn't help, Sherborne coped admirably and they were quicker and sharper at everything.

On 15 minutes a tremendous shot from 25 yards powered into the top left corner of the net and just 7 minutes later Poole were in bigger trouble when a freekick from the left side of the box cannoned in off the underside of the bar. On 32 minutes Poole created their first shot when Benssaouda turned and saw his shot headed away for a corner. On 40 minutes the Poole players were left furious after a mistake by the referee. The Sherborne keeper picked the ball up, dropped it, dribbled out and then proceeded to pick the ball up again before clearing down field. Whilst it should have been a Poole freekick there is still no excuse for the players arguing with the ref and failing to defend a simple ball which ultimately was tucked away to put Sherborne three up. Poole fans will forever question the validity of the goal but the fact remains that if the players had done their jobs properly then there would not have been a problem to complain about. The usual insults and arguing between the Poole bench and the players finally brought a sorry 45 minutes to an end. Half-time: 3-0.

Hareld Todnem came on for the disappointing Paul Manning at half time and Marc Jackson was stretchered off to be replaced by Peter Kydd after suffering suspected ligament damage. As Sherborne tired very quickly in the first half (and given their energy in the first half they were entitled to!) Poole took control much better in the second period.

A goal still didn't look likely though until Karim Benssaouda decided to take the game by the scruff of the neck and he single handedly dragged Poole back into the game with two exquisite goals. On 81 minutes he produced a fine drag back to escape from two defenders and he drilled the ball under the keeper to make it 3-1. As the game entered injury time Benssaouda again went solo (can you blame him given the support he received in this match?), beat three defenders before turning and unleashing an unstoppable volley into the top left corner of the net. As supporters suddenly believed the miracle could happen it was left to Benssaouda himself to retrieve the ball from the net in an effort to hurry the game up. Within seconds however the whistle was blown and Sherborne players and supporters rightly celebrated a famous win.

After a season of so many 'nearlys' this was an infuriating way to lose a cup final and hopefully the players feel as annoyed about it as the supporters no doubt do.

Poole: Spillane, Mooney, Wood, Woodward, Jackson (Kydd), P. Manning (Todnem), Hayfield, Woolfenden, White, Cornick, Benssaouda

Unfortunately no full report available.

Injuries and players being rested for the Dorset Senior Cup Final on Tuesday meant Poole went into this match with a slightly weakened side. On a dreadful pitch and tricky windy conditions the going was tough in the first half. Things were not helped on 34 minutes when Peter Kydd retaliated to a foul and was sent off with a straight red card. Half-time: 0-0.

The Dolphins went a goal down on 54 minutes but equalised just 7 minutes later when a Maloney corner was met by Darren Mooney who headed his first goal for Poole since September 2001. On 71 minutes Marc Jackson unleashed a shot from his own half - fully 60 yards out from goal. The ball looped and swirled in the wind and dropped neatly over a back-peddling keeper to score an incredible goal.

Hythe seemed to have grabbed a share of the points when they equalised through a penalty on 89 minutes but in injury time Leigh Cornick thumped a fine winner to give a tremendous victory to ten man Poole.

Poole: Potter, Mooney, Wood, Woodward, Jackson, P. Manning, Kydd, Hayfield, Maloney, Cornick, Benssaouda

It is with great sadness that I report the death of Tom Rodgers on Saturday 10th April. A Life VIce President of the Club and long-time supporter, Tom was well known to all Poole Town supporters. Our condolences go to Joan and the family - he will be sadly missed.

After limping off just two days before Leigh Cornick made a return to the attack and Peter Kydd, Paul Manning and Marc Jackson all returned to the side as well.

Following a poignant two minute silence in memory of Tom Rodgers, the game got underway but unfortunately the Dolphins looked half asleep for the entire first half. Petersfield looked quick and sharp on the break and they took the lead after just 7 minutes. A free-kick from the edge of the box was stroked over the wall and into the left side of the goal with Spillane stranded.

On 13 minutes Peter Kydd embarked on a weaving run and after going past three players his final shot was poor, being dragged wide of the left hand post. The visitors again looked dangerous on the break and four minutes later they should have gone two up when Spillane was caught in no man's land but an easy lob was wasted with a poor finish. On 35 minutes Spillane was again called into action as he dived acrobatically to his left to pluck a goalbound shot out of the air.

A minute later and Benssaouda finally managed his first effort of the game but after getting away from the defence he shot wide of the post. Poole equalised on 41 minutes when Benssaouda produced some magic on the left, beat a couple of players and found Paul Manning wide on the right. His cross was met by Cornick at the far post and he clipped the ball in to score his 30th goal of the season. Half-time: 1-1.

Woolfenden and Krunic replaced White and Robinson at the start of the second half and Poole at last woke up and played much better football. On 48 minutes Benssaouda flashed a shot wide of the post but two minutes later he put Poole in front. Some neat passing between Woolfenden and Cornick eventually saw the ball to Benssaouda. With his back to goal he turned beat two players and as the keeper came out he prodded the ball under him to score.

On 62 minutes Poole produced another fine move - Cornick with some great running down the left squared the ball for Benssaouda but his shot hit the feet of an already diving keeper and the ball crept away for a corner. Three minutes later and a superb one-two between Woolfenden and Hayfield saw Woolfenden volley just over the bar. This was one of Hayfield's best performances for Poole as he controlled the midfield and sprayed passes all round the pitch.

Poole looked to have sewn up the game with just four minutes later when Banssouada met a beautifully flighted freekick from Woolfenden to head home at the near post but Petersfield made it a nervy last couple of minutes when they broke with two minutes left to score with a fine right foot shot which left Spillane with no chance.

With Horndean going down at Liss, Poole are now guaranteed third spot in the Hampshire Premier with two league games remaining.

Poole: Spillane, Robinson (Krunic), Wood, Woodward, Jackson, P. Manning, Kydd, Hayfield, White (Woolfenden), Cornick (Muir), Benssaouda

More injury problems for the Dolphins saw a further depleted side take on Horndean at Tatnam. Some good news - Lee Manning is just about ready to return to the side after his lengthy lay-off.

With Horndean showing stronger than they did at home just two weeks ago this match was very much a midfield battle. Chances were few and far between and yet those that were created all came from Poole and the Dolphins thoroughly deserved to win the game and complete a good league double over the visitors.

On 41 minutes Cornick limped off the pitch to add to the injury problems and Richie Atherton made a welcome return to the side since he last appeared back in January 03 in the home defeat to Winchester City. A Woodward freekick on 42 minutes found James Wood at the far post but his header went high and wide.

Benssaouda had tormented Horndean throughout the first half and on 44 minutes he cut in from the left, beat two defenders, squared the ball for Muir but the striker's shot was pulled well wide of the left hand post. On the stroke of half-time Benssaouda produced exactly the same move but this time found Woolfenden racing into the box and the Poole midfielder made no mistake as he steered the ball past the keeper into the corner. Half-time: 1-0.

Poole continued to work hard in the second period and but for a good save by Spillane on 80 minutes they never looked like conceding a goal. The defence looked very solid and Atherton and White fought for everything in midfield.

With Liss losing at VT, a Poole win at home to Petersfield on Monday will almost guarantee the third place finish.

Special mention must go to Carl Woodward who reached his 100th appearance for Poole Town today. Since making his debut against Fawley on 8th March 2002, Woodward has played in every game and has never been injured or substituted. He has been a tremendous player over the last two years and supporters will no doubt look forward to his next 100 consecutive games as well!

Poole: Spillane, Robinson, Mooney, Wood, Woodward, Cornick (Atherton), Robbins, Woolfenden, White, Benssaouda, Muir (Maloney)

Manager Paul Morrell had to patch together a side for this crucial league game against Portsmouth RN. Having already played up front, midfield and in goal (briefly against Fawley), Leigh Cornick completed the set as he took up a position on the right side of a three man defence. Also in defence and helping out due to injuries the Dolphins warmly welcomed back Brockenhurst boss Graham Kemp. With Kempy in the side a clean sheet is always a fair possibility and Poole supporters were not to be disappointed! Partnering Benssaouda up front was Bournemouth U-19 player Daniel Cann.

Well, what a performance this was! After suffering a 3-1 defeat in Portsmouth back in November, Poole knew they were up against a good side and yet they responded in the best possible fashion with one of the best displays of the season.

The opening half was very well contested with both sides playing some excellent football and looking threatening on the break. It was Poole however who created the better chances and but for some excellent goalkeeping from the Navy keeper it could have been five or six by half-time. On 5 minutes Benssaouda made a fine run down the left but his fierce shot was knocked round the post by the keeper.

A blow for the Dolphins on 12 minutes when Darren Reeks went down with a hamstring injury and he was replaced by Danny Robbins - making his first appearance for the club. On 25 minutes Benssaouda again beat two defenders easily down the right but his cross was misjudged by Cann who mis-kicked his shot. The pressure continued to grow on the Navy goal as shots rained in from Benssaouda, Cann and Woolfenden - all brilliantly saved by the keeper again. The deadlock was eventually broken on 38 minutes when a Woolfenden shot rebounded to Benssaouda and the striker nipped in to tuck away his 30th of the season. Half-time: 1-0.

If the first half was encouraging the second half was absolutely stunning. On 51 minutes Benssaouda ran from the halfway line, dribbled round several players before unleashing a shot which was again turned round the post by the keeper. A few minutes later a corner dropped to Cornick but his shot sailed high over the bar. The game was decided with three goals in three scintillating minutes. On 62 minutes Benssaouda continued his tremendous form when he beat two players on the right, cut in and curled the ball wide of the keeper into the far corner of the net. Within seconds of the restart Cann matched his skill as he beat two players before burying the ball in the same corner and on 64 minutes a shot from Benssaouda was well saved but the rebound dropped to Carl Woodward and he volleyed the ball from the edge of the box into the far corner.

Benssaouda completed yet another hat-trick on 70 minutes when he raced away, held off a couple of challenges and drilled the ball under the keeper. Ricky Muir came on for Woolfenden on 73 minutes and seven minutes later he completed the rout when he finished off an excellent five or six first time passing move from the halfway line.

This was a terrific performance with every single player contributing on the night. More of the same will be required against Horndean on Saturday as the Dolphins look to secure third place in the league.

Poole: Spillane, Kemp, Cornick, Wood, Woodward, P. Manning, Reeks (Robbins), Woolfenden (Muir), White, Benssaouda, Cann

Andy Gater returned to first team action as Marc Jackson made way for the game against East Cowes. The wind really got up during the afternoon and with rain starting during the game the conditions were not the best for a good football match.

Karim Benssaouda displayed many of his skills in the opening half but failed to find his usual finish. On 19 minutes he dribbled past two defenders but his fierce shot was well saved by the keeper's feet. A minute later Benssaouda had another shot well saved after Cornick had done well down the right and delivered a great cross.

The opening goal went to the visitors however when, on 22 minutes, East Cowes produced a good passing move which resulted in keeper Spillane rushing out and clattering the Vics striker. The No.9 duly converted the penalty to put East Cowes ahead against the run of play. The only other moment of note in a poor first half was when Benssaouda cut in from the corner flag on 40 minutes, dribbled past four players but fired his shot just into the side netting. Half-time: 0-1.

Ryan Woolfenden replaced Andy Gater at half time as the Poole defender had suffered a suspected broken bone in his hand at the end of the first half. The football in the second half was little better than the first but Poole dominated the possession and territory. Finally the game was brought even when Darren Reeks picked up the ball from 30 yards out and unleashed an unstoppable volley into the top left hand corner of the net. This came with just twenty minutes left but Poole shot themselves in the foot again three minutes later when they conceded another penalty after White was penalised for a foul in the box. Again the penalty was tucked away and the Dolphins were back to square one again.

Constant pressure and numerous corners eventually paid off when a Woolfenden corner on 85 minutes was bundled in amongst a scrum of players. Matty White has been credited with the goal but substitute Ricky Muir may contest it! Poole pushed for the winner and a minute later Benssaouda was again denied when his shot was brilliantly tipped round the post for a corner.

A disappointing performance overall but considering Poole gave away two penalties a draw was probably a fair result.

Poole: Spillane, Hancock, Wood, Woodward, Gater (Woolfenden), White, P. Manning, Kydd, Reeks (Muir), Benssaouda, Cornick