Almost a year ago to the day Poole Town travelled the short distance to Victoria Park and suffered a 3-1 reverse against local rivals Bournemouth Poppies. Having lost the home game later in the season and then lost Leigh Phillips to them during the summer it was with some relish that the Dolphins lined up today. Sean Hogan made a welcome return from holiday and Stuart Brown and Dave Sturgess both started for Poole.

The opening fifteen minutes was very cagey as both sides fought out a midfield battle. On a hard dusty pitch the ball was bouncing all over the place and it was not helped by a strong swirling wind. However, it was Poole who looked the more comfortable on the ball.

On 16 minutes Poppies conceded a freekick just outside the box slightly right of the penalty spot - perfect Funnell territory. Even though it was expected the freekick was simply stunning. Not only was it inch perfect inside the top left hand corner but it was still accelerating as it hit the back of the net - a great strike from Gary Funnell once again.

It was a deserved lead and Poole took confidence from their opening. On 22 minutes Funnell puled a corner back low to the edge of the Poppies area and an unmarked Stuart Brown controlled the ball and then fired it just wide into the side netting. Ten minutes later and Poole had a great chance to double their lead. Strong was fouled midway into the Poppies half but with the ref playing the advantage their was a superb through ball which sent Funnell clear on goal. With the keeper advancing Funnell attempted to slide the ball past him but Harvell made a fine save to keep the ball out.

As half time approached an unsavoury incident saw the Poppies keeper Harvell and Steve Strong clash in the box. Harvell was writhing around on the floor but after something was obviously said to him he jumped to his feet (a miracle recovery) and charged 10 feet across to Strong and shoulder charged him to the floor. This was simply disgraceful, and topped only by the referee's inability to follow the letter of the law as he failed to send Harvell off and only produced a yellow card - and one for Strong.

Poole finished the half in fine form. Funnell again was brilliant down the left, taking on the defender and despite being pulled and pushed all over the place he got to the line and crossed a great ball in for Strong to meet with a glancing header but Harvell was able to palm the ball away to safety.

Half time: 0-1.

Five minutes into the second half and Poole got another freekick just outside the area - alarm bells for Poppies. Into the wind this time he hit another sweet strike and although Harvell could only flap at it and Strong nodded in the rebound the flag was immediately up for offside.
Six minutes later and the ball dropped to Aaron Skelton about 30 yards out. His first touch was superb and he fired in a great shot which was tipped just over the bar. From the resulting corner the ball was knocked back out to Funnell and his fierce shot was well saved again.

Leigh Phillips had not had a kick in the opening hour yet showed proved how dangerous he always is on 63 minutes. A Poppies corner was met first time by Phillips but his left foot shot hit the outside of the left hand post. This did seem to get Poppies going as they began to enjoy some possession for the first time.

On 73 minutes Stuart Brown, under pressure, turned and made a poor clearance and a Poppies player lobbed Frampton but the ball bounced just wide of the left hand post. Despite some pressure the Poole defence always looked more than comfortable. However, in injury time another Poppies corner was met by Adie Briscoe and his free header somehow managed to go just the wrong side of the post.

A top performance from Poole and the end of a very satisfying bank holiday weekend of maximum points.

Poole: Frampton, Whitley, Jordan, Brown, Richardson, Hogan, Skelton, D. Sturgess, Funnell, Strong (Chivers), Benssaouda

Finally league action returned to Tatnam as Poole started their first home game of the season against newly promoted Ringwood Town. The only change for Poole came as Mark Hankey started in defence with Steve Gilbert on the left rather than Matty White. Sean Hogan is still on holiday.

The opening quarter of an hour saw few chances as both sides tried to gain control. Benssaouda had an early shot go wide and Ringwood also carved out a couple of half chances. Taffy Richardson was often getting forward from midfield and on 20 minutes a cross from the superb Trefor Smith saw Richardson head just over.

Two minutes later and another good ball into the box found Richardson unmarked and although his powerful header beat the keeper there was a defender on the line and he scrambled the ball away. Steve Gilbert picked up a knock on 35 minutes and Stuart Brown replaced him on the left.

Poole were now firmly taking control of the game and in periods their passing and movement had Ringwood chasing shadows. On 40 minutes a Funnell corner found the head of Benssaouda but again the ball went just wide. Just before the break however a ball into the Poole area came off the head of a Poole defender and with Frampton stranded the Poole fans were relieved to see the ball bounce back off the post and was cleared away to safety.

Half time: 0-0.

With Poole in control and despite the goalless scoreline at half time it always seemed to be a case of 'when' rather than 'if' Poole scored. On 50 minutes a corner into the box dropped for Richardson and he volleyed into the net to score what looked a perfectly good goal but the ref decided otherwise and blew up. Not sure why!

The breakthrough came on 56 minutes. Another ball into the Ringwood box came back out and as the ball was headed back in towards goal Steve Strong managed to get a header onto it and flicked it backwards over the last defender into the net - his first goal for the club.

On 70 minutes Strong was through again and after being brought down by the keeper the referee had no choice but to give the penalty. Gary Funnell stepped up and clinically despatched the ball into the right hand corner of the net.

Surely with an eye on Monday's trip to Bournemouth Poppies, Benssaouda and the excellent Skelton were both replaced immediately with Carl Chivers and Dave Sturgess respectively.

On 78 minutes a superb ball diagonally from right to left from Taffy Richardson found Funnell and he drove into the box before seeing his fierce shot turned round the post. Three minutes later and Funnell returned the favour when yet another corner found the head of Richardson but again the ball went just wide.

In the dying seconds Ringwood broke on the counter and the ball eventually came across the face of the goal. With an open goal in front of him the Ringwood forward badly sliced his shot and Poole were able to keep a clean sheet for the first time this season.

Poole: Frampton, Whitley, Jordan, Gilbert (Brown), Hankey, T. Smith, Richardson, Skelton (D. Sturgess), Funnell, Strong, Benssaouda (Chivers)

Unfortunately no full match report available.

Early stages of the game saw Poole continue their unconvincing form from the AFC Totton match.
A strong looking Brading side had the majority of the early play but Poole slowly began to take control of the game.

41 mins - A cross from Steve Strong was met by Karim Benssaouda and he put Poole in front.
42 mins - Straight from the kick-off Brading went down the other end and equalised.
43 mins - Strong had a goal disallowed.

Half time: 1-1.

Poole completely dominated the second half and did everything except score.
48 mins - Benssaouda brought down in the area but he missed the resulting penalty.

Poole went on to hit the woodwork four times as well as create numerous other chances.

Poole: Frampton, Whitley, Jordan, Gilbert, T. Smith, White (Brown), Richardson, Skelton, Funnell, Strong (Chivers), Benssaouda

After a tremendous pre-season, Poole Town were brought back down to earth with a bump as they slumped to a disappointing 3-1 reverse away at highly fancies AFC Totton.

The new look Poole side contained new keeper Max Frampton as well as Alan Jordan and Steve Gilbert in defence along with Trefor Smith in midfield. Fawzi Saadi also started the game but was clearly injured and was limping even before the game started. Karim Benssaouda also made his welcome return to competitive football for Poole up front alongside Taffy Richardson.

In all honesty the first half for Poole was a nightmare littered with defensive problems and a general lack of cohesion anywhere on the pitch. That said, Poole nearly took the lead in the opening minute. A Gary Funnell corner was whipped into the box and Benssaouda's header beat the keeper but just went over the bar - it was a good chance.

On 13 minutes, against the run of play, a ball into the Poole box saw Frampton attempt and miss his punch and when the ball dropped a Totton player was on hand to pass the ball into the net through a clutch of players in the six yard box. Poole finally got some good passing together on 22 minutes when an excellent build up saw the ball drop to Saadi but his shot was tamely hit into the arms of the home keeper.
Ten minutes later and a huge kick from Frampton was knocked down by Richardson and Funnell unleashed a trademark volley which whistled just over the bar.

On 34 minutes there appeared to be a communication breakdown between Whitley and Frampton as both chased a through ball and then both left it for the other and this enable another easy pass into an empty net for Totton. Things got even worse on the stroke of half time when another ball into the Poole box saw all the defenders charge towards it leaving a couple of Totton players free and when the ball broke free on the right there was a fine shot which left Frampton with no chance as it found the bottom left hand corner.

As poor a 45 minutes as Poole have produced for a long time saw them trail 3-0 at the interval. Half time: 3-0.

Killick immediately made changes as White and Saadi were both replaced by Steve Strong and Aaron Skelton for the start of the second half. This definitely gave the die a better balance as Strong is far more effective up front than Richardson and Taffy reverted to midfield where he too is better placed to win headers and tackles and set up the play. Skelton looked a fine acquisition for Poole as his class showed from the very start. Good first touches and simple passing really began to get Poole going.

The second half saw Poole compete much better although with a three goal cushion it was probably a case of Totton conserving their lead as well. The match did get a bit tetchy at times and the over officious referee managed to give yellow cards to Strong, Gilbert, Benssaouda and Jordan before the end of the game. On 74 minutes a Funnell freekick out near the right hand corner saw Benssaouda rise superbly and head home to reduce the deficit to two. Unfortunately despite more Poole pressure the game ended with Totton deservedly taking all three points.

Poole: Frampton, Hogan, Saadi (Strong), Whitley, Jordan, Gilbert, White (Skelton), T. Smith (Hankey), Funnell, S. Richardson, Benssaouda

Manager Tom Killick has secured the signature of 31 year old defender Aaron Skelton (right). Skelton has vast league experience with both Luton Town and Colchester United. He had to retire from the professional ranks with a knee injury but has since played for Havant & Waterlooville. This is another superb signing for Poole as they prepare for the new season in Sydenhams (Wessex) Premier.

Poole Town completed their pre season fixtures with a comfortable win over Sturminster Newton. Poole led 2-0 at half time through goals from Carl Chivers and Steve Gilbert. Steve Strong came on as a sub at half time and proceeded to score four times! This was yet another accomplished performance from Poole with excellent contributions right across the pitch. Unfortunately Chris Smith turned an ankle and is likely to be out for a couple of weeks.