Match Report courtesy of the Daily Echo.

MAN-of-the-match Paul Harding was on target as new Poole Town managers Paul Morrell and Dean Mooney opened their Premier Division account with a 1-0 win over Bishop's Waltham Town

Harding struck on the half-hour to give Poole maximum points at Tatnam Farm although the Dolphins had enough chances to have at least trebled their tally after the break.

Mooney said: "In the first half, they had a couple of chances where we were slack at the back. But after half-time, we had so many chances with three-on-two and just didn't punish them. We had three days to prepare for the game so 1-0 is good enough for us."

Poole: Elliot, Wardle, Woodward, Spalding, M. Morris, G. Morris,  Fletcher, Harding, Rideout, Brown, McDonnell
Unused subs: Neville, Collins, Tubbs

At 5.00pm today Brian O'Donnell resigned as manager of Poole Town. After nearly nine months in charge O'Donnell felt that he was not enjoying the job and has decided to leave. Pressure has been growing for some time after a poor start to the season and a loss of so many players to other clubs.

Assistant Manager Paul Morrell steps up to take over the manager's role and it is hoped that his popularity and contacts within local football will help bring better quality players back to the club again.

O'Donnell's record at the club:-

Played   30   Won 16   Drawn 5   Lost    9   Scored  55    Against  42   (70 players used in 30 games)

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Appalling. As Poole Town returned to league action after exploits in the FA Vase and Trophyman Cup, they turned in perhaps their poorest performance for years. Yet again there was no continuity as John Bailey made a second appearance of the season and there were debuts for striker Martin Underhay and centre back Chris Ison. Midfielder Gary Morris was again asked to play at right back and Tommy Killick again guested for the Dolphins up front.

From the start of the match the omens were not good. With Poole seemingly incapable of stringing any passes together, Amesbury worked extremely hard at closing their opponents down and forcing errors out of the Poole players. It took until the 31st minute before either side fashioned a chance - a great volley from an Amesbury player on the right was tipped away by Elliot for a corner. On 42 minutes Morris hesitated in the defence and the visiting forward nipped in to score easily. Half-time: 0-1.

Hopes were raised after the break as Poole started to play some decent football and within five minutes they were level. The excellent Carl Woodward crossed the ball into Underhay who held the ball up before laying it off to Bailey who rifled the ball into the corner - an excellent goal. This was to be the only bright spot as within three minutes Amesbury were back in front. A player cut in from the left wing and as the defence backed off his shot was deflected high into the far corner.  On 58 minutes another cross from the right found an Amesbury player totally unmarked and he easily placed the ball past Elliot into the corner. On 65 minutes Amesbury had a clear cut penalty appeal turned down after their striker was clearly pulled down in the area. With almost every attack Amesbury looked likely to score but somehow Poole managed to keep the score to 3-1. Inside the last ten minutes Woodward delivered a piledriver volley from outside the box which was superbly tipped over the bar.

This match ended to stunned silence from the Poole supporters. There was a total lack of drive from the side (Fletcher being injured contributed to this) and the players seemed to play with an attitude which suggested they didn't care whether they won, lost or drew. The current Poole squad is not a happy place to be and after reported comments from O'Donnell to Poole supporters at the Vase replay last week the manager is not exactly endearing himself to the Poole faithful. With it confirmed that current Players Player of the Year Matty White and Supporters Player of the Year Colin Randall (keeper) have both left the club, supporters are left to wonder where this is all going to end. Not good enough.

Poole: Elliot, Woodward, Spalding, Ison, M. Morris (Cooke), G. Morris,  Bailey, Harding (Collins), Rideout, Underhay, Killick (Neville)

Poole Town got back to winning ways by travelling to Hampshire Division 1 Tadley Town and progressing through to the last 32 of the Trophyman Cup. Yet again Poole were depleted by injuries and despite Tommy Killick making a welcome appearance up front the Dolphins could only field one substitute, Paul Morrell for the game.

Anyone who travelled to Tadley 2-3 years ago in Poole's Championship winning year will not be surprised to learn that little has changed there since then. The pitch is still as bumpy as before but at least it had been cut this time - although no-one thought to actually pick up any of the grass cuttings! Unfortunately the Tadley bench was just as immature as last time with the usual inane comments throughout the match and loud cheers when Poole players got injured or were booked. Disgraceful.

The first half was practically a non-event as neither side produced any football worthy of note. Chances were few and far between and all the play was compressed into the middle third of the field. The first decent chance came on 37 minutes - Killick raced away down the right, cut the ball back superbly but Danny Neville fired over the bar when well placed. Just before half time Poole ended nearly 6 hours of football without a goal when Killick crossed from the left and Michael Collins, the smallest guy on the pitch, nipped in front of the defender to head home at the far post. A minute later and Poole were nearly two up when Neville just headed over the bar from a Paul Harding freekick. Half-time: 0-1.

Poole took more control of the game in the second half as Tadley relied solely on big punts up the field from the back four. On 54 minutes Gary Fletcher robbed a defender and Poole found themselves 3 on 1 going forward. Somehow the chance was wasted, the ball finally coming to Tommy Killick whose shot was tipped away for a corner. 65 minutes and Carl Woodward produced a great cross from the left but Fletcher somehow missed a free header from a few yards out.

With fifteen minutes left Tadley nearly equalised. They broke down the left and with only the keeper to beat the striker attempted a lob which sailed harmlessly over the bar. Three minutes later and Poole wrapped the game up. Danny Neville found himself clean through and as he entered the penalty area the home keeper clattered into him - penalty. Paul Harding stepped up to thump the ball into the net.

An uninspiring game but Poole now progress into the next round where they will travel to Hampshire Premier Fawley on Wednesday 23rd October.

Poole: Elliot, Woodward, Spalding, Fletcher (Morrell), M. Morris, G. Morris,  Harding, Collins, Rideout, Neville, Killick

With Brian Mundee and Andy Milligan rejoining the injury list it was a welcome sight for Poole supporters to see both Christ Pratt and Matty Lovell turning out for the Dolphins. Pratt in particular has been sorely missed and a typical superb driving performance from him left supporters hoping to see more of him as the season progresses.

After the stalemate at Tatnam Poole opened the match the more determined but the omens seemed bad as early as the fourth minute when a fine run and left foot shot from Mickey Rideout beat the keeper but rebounded off the far post and just wide of the incoming Danny Neville. This early scare woke the home side up and they scored a peach of a goal on eight minutes. A pass from midfield was brilliantly dummied and allowed Johnson to run clear and fire past a stranded Ross Elliot. The next twenty minutes saw Christchurch in control and Poole battled bravely to stay in the tie. This all changed on 34 minutes when Gary Fletcher was clearly pulled down in the box but the referee decided there was no penalty. This seemed to stir the Poole players up and it's fair to say that they battered Christchurch for the rest of the game.  A freekick from Paul Harding, superb on the night, caused major problems for the home defence and after failing to clear it properly Rideout again fired in a shot which beat the keeper but deflected off the knee of a defender stood on the line. Half-time: 1-0.

The second half saw Poole camped in the Christchurch half but despite all the best efforts of the Poole players the equaliser would not come. On 56 minutes Harding went on a typical run beating a couple of players and unleashing a fierce volley which the keeper parried away for a corner. Corner after corner ensued (10 in the second half alone?) but still the breakthrough would not come. On the rare occasion when Christchurch attacked they did look dangerous and Elliot pulled off a fine point blank save on 65 minutes. On 83 minutes Christchurch scored a second but the referee strangely brought the play back and awarded Christchurch a freekick inside the box - surely he could have played the advantage?! Two minutes into injury time and Lee Manning got on the end of a right wing cross and tucked the ball away to give Christchurch a 2-0 win.

Although disappointing to go out at the first hurdle supporters can feel proud of the effort and commitment given by all the players and once again Poole showed that they can compete against higher Wessex League opposition.

Poole: Elliot, Tubbs (Cooke), Woodward, Pratt, Spalding, Fletcher, M. Morris, G. Morris (Lovell),  Harding, Rideout, Neville

For the first time since the 1995/96 season Poole Town took their place in an FA competition making their first ever appearance in the FA Vase against local Wessex League opposition Christchurch.

Back from injury came Neal Spalding, Brian Mundee, Andy Milligan and Paul Harding but the attacking problem was highlighted with only Danny Neville up front for the Dolphins.

Poole started the tie brightly and Gary Fletcher headed home a cross on 10 minutes only to be ruled offside by the assistant referee. Despite dominating the game in the opening half hour Poole Town's lack of firepower kept the scores level and gradually Christchurch started coming more into the game. On 26 minutes a Christchurch player was clear on the left but his shot was pulled wide of the right hand post. Five minutes later and Elliot parried and then caught a fierce shot from just inside the area. On 34 minutes Christchurch should have taken the lead. A badly sliced clearance from Poole fell right into the path of an opposing player but he blasted the bar over the bar from just 5 yards out.

The injury problems continued for Poole as Andy Milligan appeared to get a reoccurrence of his problem and he was replaced by Richard Tubbs on 38 minutes. Brian Mundee also started limping at this point but managed to bravely hobble through the rest of the match - including extra time! On 43 minutes a cross from the left saw a Christchurch player volley the ball against the top of the bar and in a rare chance Matt Morris saw his shot deflected for a corner a minute later down the other end. Half-time 0-0.

The second half continued in the same vein - both sides competing well across the pitch but Christchurch making the better chances to score. On 54 minutes Elliot again made another great save to keep Christchurch out and he was called on a few more times as the half progressed. On 90 minutes Poole perhaps had their best chance to score - a corner from the left found Tubbs at the far post but his shot agonisingly hit the side netting when a goal looked the better bet. Full time: 0-0.

Man of the match Ross Elliot again pulled off a fine point blank save at the start of extra time and a minute later the keeper was lucky to see a free header aimed straight at him. Another free header for Christchurch on 105 minutes again saw the ball go the wrong side of the post but as the match entered the final period of extra time it looked like both sides were content to settle for a draw and try again at Christchurch on Tuesday.

Ultimately a disappointing result as Christchurch were definitely there for the taking but in some ways Christchurch's poor finishing means that Poole are fortunate to have another chance in the replay. Of most importance to manager O'Donnell must surely be the search for some strikers for Poole Town. Unless this is resolved quickly the Dolphins will continue to struggle through every game. It is no coincidence that this is the first time Poole have failed to score in consecutive games for at least four years............

Poole: Elliot, Milligan (Tubbs), Woodward, Spalding, Mundee, Fletcher, M. Morris, G. Morris,  Harding (Collins), Rideout (Morrell), Neville

A seven match consecutive winning run (and an unbeaten record back to 12th October 1996) against Winchester City came to end as an under strength Poole Town side slipped to defeat in their first away game of the new campaign. Paul Harding added to the increasing injury list before the game and Stuart Brown was also unavailable to play for the Dolphins. With Jamie Holland's suspension now underway it was fair to say that Poole were missing 7-8 first choice players. Ex-Chelsea professional David Lee started at the back alongside Poppies defender Ian Edwards and ex-Bournemouth John Bailey played just in front of the back four adding some crucial experience to the side. Poole favourite Tommy Killick returned to the forward line but all four of these players are not expected for more than a couple of games. With the injury crisis as it is, it is this policy of dragging players in from other clubs for one or two games which is leading to a lack of consistency in the side. Poole have already used 26 different players in the opening 5 games alone. It is therefore mystifying that the Southampton Echo should report on the 'star studded Poole Town side' and produce a match report which suggested that Winchester City had caused a massive upset by beating the Dolphins!!

The first half was very keenly contested and despite City looking better going forward the Poole defence looked very solid at the back. It took until the 28th minute for the first real chance when Elliot in goal produced a fine save after the City striker had broken clean through. Poole took more control of the game in the last 15 minutes of the first half but were unable to fashion any real chances against a very well organised defence. Half-time: 0-0.

On 52 minutes David Lee produced the error which led to City's first goal. As last man he gave the ball away in his own half and the City striker ran on to fire past the Poole keeper. John Bailey (easily the class of the Poole side) produced a brilliant run on 65 minutes, cruising through the middle of the park and avoiding all attempts to tackle him. Eventually the ball came to Killick but his shot was straight at the City keeper. On 69 minutes City should have been two up. A player was clean through, rounded Elliot but took the ball too far. With such a tight angle into the empty net the player turned came back and his shot was deflected away for a corner. Although Poole continued to battle well in what was an excellent advert for the Hampshire League a free kick from the right on 80 minutes saw a City player arrive at the far post to head home the second goal.

Poole: Elliot, Edwards, Woodward, Lee, Fletcher, M. Morris, G. Morris,  Rideout, Bailey, Neville (Collins), Killick
Unused subs: Morrell, O'Donnell