Poole's run of victories in pre-season friendlies came to an abrupt end at Tatnam as they suffered a 4-0 reverse against a very strong Wimborne side.

The Dolphins got off the the worst possible start when Wimborne took the lead after just 4 minutes from some slack defending and worse was to follow when Darren Mooney conceded a penalty on 8 minutes and the deficit was two. In fairness to Poole they settled down after this and began to play some decent football again. Despite some good play though they were never really able to threaten the Wimborne goal and the visitors always looked fairly dangerous on the break. Half-time: 0-2.

The second half followed a similar pattern with both sides making many changes through the game. Both Benssaouda and Cornick had opportunities to pull a goal back but the Wimborne defence looked solid throughout the match. In the final minute the Magpies added a third goal and straight from the Poole kick-off they waltzed up the pitch and added an easy fourth - a disappointing end to a game which Poole battled well in for much of the time.

Poole: from Potter, Kemp, Fletcher, Woodward, Gater, Maloney, Mooney, Manning, Cornick, M. Morris, Benssaouda, Muir, White, Parodi, Reeks, Mitchell

Cup News

After some confusion (see the MessageBoard) I can confirm that Poole WILL be playing in the Dorset Senior Cup this season as well as the Hampshire Senior Cup. Entry to both cup competitions was made because of the loss of league games with no Winchester City or Pirelli General this coming season in the league.

However, the Hampshire League have now added a Floodlit Cup competition for all Hampshire Clubs with floodlights and Poole have been drawn against Ringwood Town in the Second Round. This will be a two leg affair and dates will follow shortly - probably to be played in September.

Player News

Karim Benssaouda has now had his final red card from last season heard and has had a big ban added to his already 35 day suspension. The ban will now run from September 1st to early January 2004 - not good news at all !!

If the first two friendlies were promising this match was, in the main, very impressive.

Again Poole proved to be very threatening in attack and coupled with solid defending it was another decent team performance which must be very encouraging for Paul Morrell and Dean Mooney.

After just five minutes Benssaouda turned the defence inside out and as his shot cannoned back off the post the impressive Lee Manning thumped the ball home from close range. Poole continued to dominate the first half and several chances went begging. On 40 minutes a poor Gater header went straight back across the face of goal and Matty Town pounced to equalise for Poppies.
The second half started poorly as Morrell made some changes at the back and the defence looked all at sea for ten minutes. A good move from Poppies on 50 minutes saw them take the lead but from then on it was all Poole again as the Dolphins once again took control of the game.

On 71 minutes Paul Maloney scored directly from a corner with a fine inswinging cross and on 88 minutes a fierce shot from outside the box was only parried by the Poppies keeper and Benssaouda nipped in to lift the ball over the keeper. Two minutes later and the move of the match saw Benssaouda sent clear down the left, his first time ball into the box was met by Ricky Muir racing in to sweep the ball past the keeper for 4-2.

Poole: from Flowers, Kemp, Wood, Woodward, Gater, Maloney, Mooney, N. Miles, Manning, Cornick, M. Morris, Benssaouda, Muir, White, Parodi, Reeks

Cup News

Poole Town have entered the Hampshire Senior Cup this season and have been drawn away to Fareham Town. If they get through that round they will be away again to the winners of Christchurch V Andover New Street. Dates for these games to be announced.

Another very promising performance from the Dolphins saw them record a second friendly victory in five days.

There was some decent football from both sides in the first half but the score remained 0-0 at half time.

On 60- minutes Lee Manning hit a superb shot from 25 yards which dipped over the keeper into the top right corner - a fine strike. Five minutes later and a cross from Matt Morris was met by Karim Benssaouda and he hammered home from close range. Two minutes passed and Manning brilliantly flicked the ball on to Benssaouda who rounded the keeper and tucked the ball away.

Poole: from Flowers, Kemp, Wood, Woodward, Gater, Maloney, N. Miles, Manning, Cornick, M. Morris, Benssaouda, Muir, White, Parodi, Reeks, Mitchell, Crowe

Poole Town completed a comfortable victory over Hamworthy United by winning the friendly 2-0.

A decent crowd turned up to see the match and 19 Poole players were used throughout the 90 minutes. In the first half Poole were the better side but despite a couple of efforts from Karim Benssaouda the score remained 0-0 at the break.

The second half saw Poole step up a gear and it is fair to say that Hamworthy barely got a kick in the whole second period. Poole played particularly well and took the lead on 60 minutes. A great run from Nick Miles after a flick on from Benssaouda saw him hold off 2 or 3 defenders before placing the ball beyond the keeper. On 68 minutes another fine move saw Benssaouda getting to the by line before pulling back for the ball to be thumped home by Riad Lahmari.
The move of the match came on 85 minutes - Andy Gater drilled a great ball out to the left wing, Matt Morris crossed first time from wide on the left and Benssaouda launched himself from the penalty spot but his spectacular overhead kick cannoned back off the bar.

For a first run-out this was a very impressive performance. Benssaouda looked absolutely fantastic throughout the match and new signings Lee Cornick, Lee Manning and Nick Miles looked sharp going forward as well. A very good workout.

Poole: from Flowers, Spillane, Mooney, Kemp, Wood, Woodward, Gater, Maloney, N. Miles, Manning, Cornick, M. Morris, Benssaouda, Muir, White, Wright, Parodi, Reeks, Lahmari

The friendly at Weymouth next week has now been switched to Tatnam as the pitch at Weymouth is not yet ready.

Player News

Ricky Muir (ex Corby & Kettering) has been training with the team and could well sign for the Dolphins. He is an experienced right sided midfielder and could well be an excellent signing for the club.

Whilst ex-Town favourites Paul Maloney and Andy Gater have also been back training with the team news has come through that Tom Killick has decided to stay on as Assistant Manager at Salisbury so will not be available to Poole this coming season. He has, however, signed papers and will play if available and if called upon in an emergency.

More league fixtures added for August. As usual it looks like Poole will have a host of home games early in the season and be faced with a run of away games during the middle of winter. No surprises there then...............
See fixtures here.

The draw has been made for the first and second qualifying rounds of the FA Vase:-

1st Qualifying Round: Poole Town V Willand Rovers   - 6th September - 3.00pm kick-off.

2nd Qualifying Round: Poole Town / Willand Rovers V Shortwood United  - 20th September - 3.00pm kick-off.

Willand Rovers play in the Screwfix Western League Division 1 and finished 7th last season. They had a great run in the FA Vase reaching the 3rd Round proper before going out in a thrilling 5-4 defeat at home to Lymington & New Milton.

Shortwood United play in the Hellenic League Premier Division and finished 13th last season. They too had a decent Vase run but lost 3-2 away at Winchester City in the 2nd Round proper.

League Fixtures

The first league fixture has been announced and Poole Town will open their season at home to Bishops Waltham Town on 16th August.