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Karim Benssaouda carried on his scoring exploits with both goals after Poole Town were 1-0 down at half time.
Good to see Darren Elmes re-signing for the club after his 16 goals for us last season. Welcome back Elmo!

Poole: Elliot, Woodward, Wright, Drew, G. Morris, M. Morris, Harding (Ainsworth), Parodi, D. Neville (J. Mooney), Benssaouda, Elmes

Poole's second round match saw them travel to Hampshire Premier bottom club Fawley.

The early exchanges were fairly even between the two sides as Fawley looked a lot better than their league position suggested. However, it was Poole who fashioned the first chance - Danny Neville blasting a shot just over the bar from the edge of the area. On 17 minutes Fawley created their best chance of the game. Good work down the left hand side ended with a great cross across the goalmouth and keeper Elliot pulled off a superb point blank save to deny the oncoming striker.

Poole now began to take control of the game and on 27 minutes Benssaouda provided a hint of what was to come when he shot over after some great inter passing from the Poole players. A minute later and Poole were in front. A cross from the left fell just behind Benssaouda but Andre Neville was on hand to tuck the ball into the far corner. Frustration began to grow within the Poole side but Benssaouda struck on 44 minutes to give the visitors a comfortable half time lead. Half time: 0-2.

Within a couple of minutes of the restart Paul Harding produced a superb touch to send Gary Fletcher clear but his shot agonisingly rolled the wrong side of the post. On 51 minutes Harding swung in a left hand side corner and Benssaouda nipped in front of the defender to firmly head the ball into the corner. Ten minutes later and he had his hat-trick. Woodward's cross was cruelly deflected, bouncing over the keeper for Benssaouda to tap into an empty net at the far post. 4-0. It took just another three minutes for the striker to score his best goal of the night. He beat a defender twice, cutting in, turning, twisting, creating the gap before curling the ball past the keeper into the corner to complete his scoring rout.

Poole Town will now travel to Stockbridge on November 27th in Round 3.

Poole: Elliot, Wright, A. Neville, Drew, Atherton, Woodward, Fletcher (G. Morris), D. Neville (M. Morris), Parodi, Harding (Collins), Benssaouda

Report Courtesy of Daily Echo

New boy Karim Benssaouda could be the answer to Poole Town's goalscoring problems after his first-half treble saw the Dolphins destroy Brading Town 4-1 in the Hampshire League Premier Division.

The 19-year-old French student, who has also featured in the Wessex League for Brockenhurst this term, showed his potential as his quick-fire hat-trick included two deft left-foot strikes including an audacious lob over the Isle of Wight's keeper. Ricky Larbalestier pulled one back for the hosts but victory for Paul Morrell and Dean Mooney's side was wrapped up when Danny Neville grabbed his third goal of the season.

Poole: Elliot, Mundee (Rideout), Drew, Woodward, Wright, M. Morris, D. Neville, Fletcher, Parodi, Harding, Benssaouda

Although suffering another home defeat Poole Town delivered a battling performance against one of the top clubs in the league. New signings Ben Wright and Andre Neville lined up in defence and Brockenhurst striker Karim Benssaouda made his debut up front alongside Paul Harding.

Poole started the game brightly and Carl Woodward caused many problems with his great wing play and teasing crosses. Poole were undone by a crazy 12 minute spell midway through the first half. A mix up in defence left Elliot stranded on 18 minutes and a minute later Poole were let off the hook when Mundee pushed up for offside only to see the Cowes striker miss an easy chance when clean through. On 25 minutes it was Mundee again who made the defensive mistake and this time the visitors made no mistake with another easy goal. Within five more minutes the misery was complete after more scrappy play in the Poole defence. As the players trooped off at half time the supporters were left wondering how many East Cowes were going to score. Half-time: 0-3.

What a difference! Rather than rolling over the Dolphins dug in and produced an excellent 45 minutes of football to restore some pride and provide Paul Morrell with some hope for the future. Danny Neville had a good second half and his ball on 47 minutes found Benssaouda on the edge of the box - his quick turn and shot brilliantly tipped over for a corner. On 55 minutes Benssaouda returned the favour - he cut in from the right hand side and after beating a couple of players set up Neville on the edge of the box. His shot was tipped onto the bar and with the keeper on the ground Paul Harding could only head the rebound wide of the post. Two minutes later and Fletcher split the defence with a great pass only to see Harding's shot again stopped by the keeper. Two more minutes and it was Gary Morris' turn to see his shot whistle just wide of the left hand post.

At the final whistle the Poole players were given a rousing reception as they left the pitch and despite losing 3-0 they can feel proud of the second half performance. More food for thought for Morrell as he continues to build his own team during the rest of this season.

Poole: Elliot, Mundee (Rideout), Woodward, Wright, A. Neville, M. Morris, G. Morris, Fletcher, D. Neville, Harding (Parodi), Benssaouda

Having been unable to attend either of the last two games where Poole had produced some great football and a much higher level of commitment it was with some anticipation that I visited Weymouth to see the Dolphins take on Dorset Division 2 side Royal Oak Cougars in the Dorset Senior Cup. Unfortunately the display resembled that of the dreadful 3-1 home defeat against Amesbury a couple of weeks ago. Maybe it's me!

This was certainly not the strongest team that could have been put out but still Poole struggled to find any kind of form. It was good to see Neil Wardle and Richie Atherton (about the only player to have a good game) back in Poole colours but again strikers were limited with Michael Collins and Mickey Rideout playing up front.

The goal came as early as the fifth minute. The ball broke on the edge of the box and Danny Neville hit the ball with the outside of his foot past the keeper to give Poole the lead. On 14 minutes Woodward produced a great run and cross from the left but Rideout's volley whistled over the bar. Ten minutes later and Woodward himself was guilty of the same offence after he volleyed over when clear at the far post. Half-time: 0-1.

With the dressing room so far away the Poole supporters were 'treated' to Paul Morrell's half-time blast from the middle of the pitch. Most of it is unrepeatable here but was perhaps the most entertaining ten minutes of the afternoon! After suffering more poor football in the second half Morrell brought himself on but nothing inspired the players to play any better. On 80 minutes Cougars managed to make their first chance of the afternoon and really should have equalised. And with the last action of the game Ross Elliot pulled off a superb save low to his right to ensure Poole's progress, albeit sluggish, into the second round.

Poole: Elliot, Atherton, Wardle, Woodward, Fletcher, M. Morris, G. Morris (Morrell), Harding, Neville, Rideout, Collins (Tubbs)

With keeper Ross Elliot on holiday Paul Spillane (Lymington & New Milton) took over between the sticks for this game. Striker Nick Miles also made an impressive return to the club along side the also returning Richie Atherton.

By all accounts this was a cracking game of football which demonstrated just how strong the Hampshire Premier League is becoming. After early pressure from Vospers Poole switched from a 5-3-2 to 4-4-2 and from then on enjoyed a lot more possession and control of the game. On 21 minutes a Paul Harding corner found Tommy Killick in the box and he made no mistake with the shot. Half-time: 0-1.

With Neal Spalding down injured (and subsequently replaced) on the edge of the Poole box, play was allowed to carry on and Vospers equalised on 70 minutes.

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