With memories of last season's defeat at Bishops Waltham Town Poole were determined to take all three points on a sunny afternoon in Hampshire. With Andy Gater and Jamie Holland both suspended, Neil Wardle and Taku Omoto were restored to the starting line-up with Shane Stanley and fifteen year old Matt James on the bench. Chris Pratt again failed to pass a fitness test so Darren Mooney filled in at left back with Tony Avery taking the central defensive role.

The opening half hour contained little attractive football although Poole always looked in control of the game. Time and again the Dolphins seemed to be hurrying the game needlessly when simple passes would have been more effective. The breakthrough came on 27 minutes - Paul Maloney delivered a corner from the right hand side and after the ball came out to him again he cracked a volley goalwards. Although the keeper parried the shot Darren Elmes stole in to slam the ball home. Poole continued to mount pressure on the home side's goal and a series of corners followed. On 36 minutes the ball came out from another corner and Darren Mooney spotted the keeper off his line and chipped the ball into the net. 'Mooners' first (and probably only!) goal of the season was met with delight by the supporters as he celebrated by diving headlong along the ground (about 2 feet in truth!!). On the stroke of half-time Rowley had a goal disallowed and in the ensuing melee a Bishops Waltham player was dismissed for foul and abusive language at the ref. In fairness to the player the ref had a poor game and proceeded to blow his whistle at every opportunity. Half-time: 0-2

Despite the flourish at the end of the first half Poole continued to make hard work of the game for much of the second half. On 50 minutes the Bishops Waltham No.3 threw two punches at John Rowley with the referee calmly looking on. The result? Yellow card!! How this earnt a yellow card whilst swearing in the first half warranted an instant red card is anyone's guess - just more examples of the inconsistent refereeing all teams at this level have to contend with. Darren Elmes could have added to his tally on 64 and 68 minutes when one on one with the keeper and a further minute later a free header at the back post also went well wide. On 71 minutes Martin Jones and John Rowley combined with a superb one-two and Jones's final shot flashed past the far post. Nine minutes later and Poole finally got the third goal. Taku Omoto broke down the right and as the keeper advanced he squared the ball for Rowley to pass into an empty net. Rowley was instantly substituted and replacement Shane Stanley's first ever touch for Poole Town was to stroke the ball into the net after Omoto had again delivered a pass from the right. Matt James made his second appearance for the club coming on for Martin Jones on 83 minutes and despite the brevity of his involvement   provided some good movement and passing. Poole wrapped the game up on 88 minutes when Omoto scored his fifth of the season after a Matt White shot had been blocked.

Although not really getting into top gear Poole did enough on the day to secure the points and their position at the top of the league. It also completed a 100% run of five games through September. Darren Mooney completed yet another superb performance at the back for Poole and he was ably supported by solid games from Wardle and Avery as well.

Poole: Randall, Mooney, Avery, Wardle, Jones (James), Culliford, Maloney, White, Omoto, Rowley (Stanley), Elmes
Unused Subs: Moore

Another fine away performance at high-flying Locks Heath saw The Dolphins storm to the top of the Hampshire Premier Division. With other sides at the top dropping points Poole Town produced a clinical lesson in finishing to effectively kill the game within half an hour.

As expected Locks Heath produced early pressure and within the first minute they saw a shot chipped over Randall in goal and the ball ricochet back off the Poole bar. Poole's early chances fell to Jamie Holland as he combined well with John Rowley up front but saw his shots go wide. Holland again raced clear on 12 minutes but his shot this time was tamely directed into the keeper's arms. As Poole began to take more and more control they started a scintillating fifteen minute spell on 18 minutes. Darren Elmes produced a great ball out to the right. Holland collected and with the goal in site he unselfishly squared the ball for Rowley to side foot into an empty net. Nine minutes later and Poole went 2-0 up with a fantastic goal. Holland produced some fine work on the left and his resulting left wing cross was superbly met by Elmes who headed into the corner of the net. Two minutes later and the points were secure - Paul Maloney produced a cross from the right and after it had been flicked on Andy Culliford popped up at the far post to score from close range. Half-Time: 0-3.

Poole began the second half in similar fashion with Maloney unleashing a cracking left foot volley which beat the keeper but skimmed the top of the bar. On 61 minutes Holland's pace beat the defence again. He squared the ball to Elmes who neatly flicked the ball past the keeper but was brought down as he followed up to finish. With a penalty awarded Poole supporters were disappointed when Martin Jones' spot kick was well saved and Culliford's follow-up went wide of the post. In fairness to Locks Heath they kept trying during the second half but the main chances still fell to Poole. On 71 minutes a Locks Heath defender badly sliced a clearance but the ball managed to rebound off the post, roll across the face of the goal and away to safety. The resulting corner saw an effort by Holland drilled just wide of the post. With five minutes remaining Locks Heath scored a consolation goal with a fine left foot volley into the top right hand corner of the net.

This was a good performance again by the whole Poole side and they thoroughly deserved the three points. Jamie Holland produced another terrific display, matched only by Darren Mooney's fine game at the back.

Poole: Randall, Gater, Mooney, Avery, Jones (Omoto), Culliford, Maloney, White, Holland, Rowley, Elmes
Unused Subs: Stanley, Moore

Poole Town kept their good form going at home to Horndean with a comfortable 3-0 win and a third consecutive clean sheet. Although Andy Gater, Martin Jones and Matty White were all back in the team, Chris Pratt's ankle injury and no Matt Parkin meant that Tony Avery again took the left back role and Darren Mooney filled in at right back. Taku Omoto's two goals last week earnt him a place in the starting eleven with John Rowley dropping to the bench.

Poole dominated the match from start to finish and their intentions were signalled early on. On 12 minutes Andy Culliford delivered one of many top quality crosses into the box and a superb first time volley from Darren Elmes was acrobatically tipped over by the keeper. The opener came on 25 minutes. Taku Omoto provided a great cross from the left and a defender deliberately handled the ball when a goal looked certain. The referee awarded a penalty and immediately sent the offending player off. Omoto sent the keeper the wrong way and recorded his fourth of the season. On 37 minutes Andy Gater was booked for what looked all the world like an excellent tackle. Poole continued to play attractive football with some great passing and movement throughout the side. On 41 minutes White picked the ball up midway in the Horndean half. As he accelerated towards the box he waltzed past two defenders before firing the ball past the keeper for 2-0 - a great solo goal. Half-time: 2-0.

The second half started in the same manner as the first finished. Skipper Martin Jones broke clear but was soon closed down by the defence. The ball broke to Darren Elmes and the striker neatly rounded the keeper and fired a left foot shot into an empty net. Louic Rocher picked up an ankle injury on 57 minutes and was replaced by Jamie Holland. A minute later and superb play from Omoto left a couple of defenders chasing shadows but his shot whistled over the bar. Another minute later and Elmes shot just wide after another great ball from Culliford. The only problem for Poole came on 69 minutes when Andy Gater tangled with an opposing player. The referee immediately produced a second yellow and Gater found himself dismissed for the second time in 3 games. This was clearly a poor decision by the referee who after the match admitted that he knew the incident was purely accidental yet felt he had to send him off. Question: if the referee felt the incident was accidental, how can he possibly issue a yellow card and subsequently ruin a players afternoon?

John Rowley replaced Omoto late on and with ten against ten Poole played out the last few minutes as efficiently as possible to claim the three points and move into second in the table. There were good performances throughout the team with the defence solid and Elmes and Omoto causing huge problems for the Horndean defence all afternoon. Culliford and Maloney marshalled the midfield superbly well to complete a fine all round display.

Poole: Randall, Gater, Mooney, Avery, Jones, Culliford, Maloney, White, Rocher (Holland), Omoto (Rowley), Elmes
Unused Sub: Stanley

Martin Jones, Matt White, Matt Parkin and Andy Gater all return from suspension for Saturday's match against Horndean. With Jamie Holland also declared fit the only injury doubt lies with Chris Pratt.

Cup News

Poole Town have received a bye in the first round of the Dorset Senior Cup. This means that Saturday 6th October will probably be a free date. The second round matches are due to take place on Saturday 3rd November.

Poole Town recorded their second 4-0 triumph in a row, following last week's victory away to Pirelli, with another three points against Esso (Fawley) at Tatnam Farm.

The Dolphins' vice chairman, Chris Reeves, had mixed feelings about the afternoon's proceedings. "It was a good day for us, and we scored four fantastic goals," said Reeves. "But the performance was not up to our usual expectations, and the manager Peter Moore let them all know about it after the match. Pete wants us to win every game by four or five goals, and play delightful football, and entertain the decent crowds we get.
"In fairness, the players do that most of the time, but it wasn't quite there for this match. Pete's standards are very high, and if this team was in the Wessex League, we would be challenging for the title."

The Dolphins took the lead after just 10 minutes, when Darren Elmes threaded a through ball for Taku Omoto to chase. The Japanese striker slotted the ball past the oncoming goalkeeper from the edge of the 18 yard box for the opener. Andy Culliford then delivered a cross to the far post for Louic Rocher to volley a superb effort back across the goal, against the post and in the net for number two. The first half goals hadn't finished there, as Rocher grabbed his second of the match with a stunning edge-of-the-box free kick, leaving the goalkeeper clutching thin air.

Deep into the second period the Dolphins matched last week's win with another great strike from Omoto, this time from just outside the penalty area, to round off a convincing three points.

Young soldier Matt James made history for the Dolphins by becoming the youngest player to turn out for the first team when manager Moore brought him on as substitute for Rocher in the 80th minutes. Fifteen-year-old James, who is also on Bristol Rovers' books, is stationed at Blandford Camp.

Poole: Randall, Wardle, Pratt, Avery, Mooney, Culliford (Rae), Maloney, Rocher (James), Omoto, Rowley, Elmes
Unused Sub: Holland.

After the opening two defeats of the season it was vital for Poole Town to get back to winning ways and they achieved that in tremendous style at Pirelli General. The omens were not great on arrival as the Pirelli match programme listed the following players:- Paul Spillen, N. Wardell, P. Mahoney, A. Gulliford, C. Spratt and T. Tomato!! Even Vice-Chairman Chris Reeves was listed as Physio!! With Colin Randall in for the injured Paul Spillane in goal and Chris Pratt and Darren Elmes both back in the squad, there was a more settled look to the team.

Although Poole controlled the opening 15 minutes chances were few and far between. On 17 minutes Andy Gater drilled a ball over the top and Jamie Holland's lob narrowly went the wrong side of the post. Good play again on 24 minutes saw Darren Elmes just unable to connect from a Holland left wing cross. Pirelli nearly took the lead on 27 minutes when a far post header was brilliantly saved by Randall. Three minutes later and Poole took the lead. Paul Maloney swung in a right sided corner and after the keeper had missed the ball Elmes was on hand to tap in his first goal of the season. Just before half time Poole nearly doubled the lead when Elmes received another great ball from Gater and when he squared it to Maloney his shot whistled just over the bar. Half-time: 0-1.

The second half started in controversy as Holland was awarded a dubious penalty after the keeper had brought him down in the area. The reaction of the keeper and a couple of defenders suggested that there had been little contact and, perhaps, justice was done when Martin Jones' spotkick was superbly tipped away by the keeper. From the resulting corner the ball was headed out and Chris Pratt unleashed a superb 30 yard volley which cannoned back off the bar and away to safety. The Dolphins were now in total control and the second goal arrived on 55 minutes. Andy Gater whipped a ball into the box and John Rowley managed the faintest of touches to help the ball into the far corner. After a poor first half Jamie Holland produced some great football in the second period and a fine run on 63 minutes saw him beat two defenders before ripping a shot just over the bar. On 71 minutes Poole Town secured the points - John Rowley held the ball up brilliantly on the edge of the box before turning and sliding the ball through to Holland who finished with style. A couple of minutes later and Pirelli's afternoon was finished off when a defender calmly lobbed his own keeper when under pressure from Rowley.

This was a very good performance from The Dolphins, capped by a superb performance from Andy Gater - perhaps his best for Poole Town. As well as being unbeatable all afternoon his display of passing all afternoon was superb. As Poole supporters left happy someone was heard to say that the day would be complete if England could beat Germany by four goals as well. Now what were the chances of that happening??

Poole: Randall, Gater, Parkin, Pratt (Avery), Jones, Mooney, Maloney (Rocher), Holland, White (Omoto), Rowley, Elmes

Poole Town Ladies News

The Ladies are looking forward to the forthcoming season that commences on Sunday 2^nd September.   All home games will be at the Tatnam, kick off at 2.15, on Sunday afternoons. Their fixtures can be found here and they are looking forward to your support for their home games!  At the game on 9^th September at Tatnam against Queen Bees (Bridport), they will be making a presentation of their new kit.

The good news is that a sponsor has been confirmed as ZEBRA SPORTS of Bournemouth.  They have supplied the Ladies team with a magnificent new strip that the girls are going to be proud of.  We hope to have a picture available soon so you can all see how smart they are going to be. 

So, new ground, new sponsor, it is going to be a brand new start for the Ladies and they are delighted to officially be part of the Poole Town Club.  We hope they can back this up with a good performance on the pitch.  

If you know of anyone interested in playing for the Ladies, from age 14 upwards, then please call Lisa on 01202 877165.