Poole's run in the FA Vase came to an end at Tatnam against a well organised and dangerous Bideford side, currently top of the Western Premier League. Stuart Brown partnered Phillips up front with Glenister dropping to the bench. Gary Bartlett also replaced Paul Bayston in defence.

There was a bright opening to the game with both sides matching each other in the opening 20 minutes. On 10 minutes Harris stole the ball on the right and sent Stuart Brown away down the wing. His cross saw Phillips sprinting into the box but the keeper just about nipped the ball off of his outstretched boot. A minute later and Funnell volleyed a great cross deep to the right hand post and Richardson came in but his header, unlike last week at Wimborne from a similar position, went wide of the left hand post. This was a good spell for Poole but they were dealt a blow on the twenty minute mark when Bideford put together a good move down the right and after several chances a right foot shot beat Spillane into the far corner.

Bideford now looked very dangerous on the break as they found time and space to create some good football. The frustration got to Poole as Richardson, Phillips, Funnell and Woolfenden all received valid yellow cards before half time. A further blow came on 43 minutes when a Bideford freekick into the box saw Richardson challenge for the ball and his header looped over Spillane into the top corner of the net. Half time: 0-2.

If Poole needed a quick goal to get back into the game they certainly got it. Just three minutes into the second half and Woolfenden and Phillips combined well on the left. Woolfenden's low cross was met by Richardson running into the box and sidefooted home to give the home support some heart.

On 56 minutes Woolfenden again did well down the left and this time his cross was just too far ahead of Harris to connect. Again this was a good spell for Poole and an equaliser looked on the cards. A Funnell freekick on 64 minutes saw the wall and keeper beaten but the ball cannoned off the outside of the left hand post. Unfortunately this was as near as Poole got to saving the game. Spalding picked up a yellow card on 65 minutes and eight minutes later he picked up another yellow and a red to reduce Poole to ten men to add to the loss of their captain and their best defender on the day.

With a man over and Poole pushing forward looking for an equaliser, Bideford created numerous great chances in the last fifteen minutes but they failed to kill the game off. On 85 minutes they had plenty of space in front of goal and a shot came back off the post and was cleared. On 88 minutes Spillane pulled off a good save to concede a corner when faced with a one on one. In injury time a Bideford player lobbed Spillane and as he ran in to score Taffy Richardson made a superb diving tackle to concede another corner. Almost the final kick of the game saw Bideford hit the post yet again.

An entertaining game and the better side on the day made it through to the second round. Good luck to Bideford and their excellent supporters in the next stages of the Vase.

Poole: Spillane, Whitley, Spalding, White (Sturgess), Bartlett, Funnell, Richardson, Harris, Woolfenden, Phillips, Brown (Tottingham)

Report to follow.

In front of a great crowd of 308 the two local rivals went up against each other at The Cuthbury in a Wessex Division 1 clash. Paul Spillane returned in goal and there was also a welcome return for Matty White making his first appearance since injury in the Winchester City game back in early September.

Poole started the game in the same fashion as they did a week ago against Hamble. The difference this time was that the form they showed for 30 minutes a week ago, they maintained throughout this match and in the end deserved to win the game by more than the single goal. From the start Poole got at the Wimborne defence and the looked very dangerous early on. On 10 minutes White crossed from the right and Phillips managed to get his head to the ball. As it dropped Ryan Woolfenden produced a superb overhead kick which narrowly missed the right hand post. A minute later and Poole took the lead. Woolfenden (one of his best games for Poole) produced a great cross from the left and Taffy Richardson arrived at the back post to head home a super goal. His celebration down the touchline underlined his joy at scoring against his former club.

Poole continued to look dangerous on the break with both White and Woolfenden doing well down the flanks. On 32 minutes a Woolfenden shot was deflected wide of the post when a goal looked certain. Immediately though Wimborne broke and Spillane pulled off a fine point blank save to keep the Dolphins in front. On the stroke of half time Spillane again repeated the exact same save in the same position when Wimborne threatened an equaliser. Half time: 0-1.

The second half produced another pulsating 45 minutes of football as Poole created several clear cut chances to score but failed to convert any of them. On 50 minutes Leigh Phillips produced a great flick on to Glenister but as he raced in on goal he pulled his shot wide of the left hand post. It was a great chance. Two minutes later and Woolfenden produced a great run diagonally from left to right into the box. He eventually stopped, turned and squared the ball to Phillips but his shot was well tipped round the post by Kearn in the Wimborne goal.

On 56 minutes Woolfenden picked up a knock and was replaced by Stuart Brown on the left. Wimborne enjoyed a little more possession at this point and on 63 minutes the ball was squared from the right side of the box but the resulting shot was side footed high over the bar. The referee did his utmost to spoil the game as he insisted on blowing his whistle every few seconds. In a game played in the right spirit he must have dished out 6 or 7 yellow cards, Poole picking up cautions for Brown, Glenister, Richardson and Gary Funnell!

Poole continued to control the game however although there was a late scare in injury time when a low cross from the left avoided everyone in the Poole area - the slightest touch would have been a goal.

A terrific performance from Poole and they were easily the better side on the day. Tommy and Taffy can both feel proud of everyone based on this performance - it was a great team effort. The crowd also played there part in a good game - generating a superb atmosphere throughout the game. The only sad point here was the five idiots with the Wimborne flag who proceeded to provide a tirade of foul and abusive language from start to finish. In a time when the Wessex League Management Committee are making strenuous efforts to cut this out it was the only downside to a great day. Quite frankly they were an embarrassment to themselves.

Poole: Spillane, Whitley, Spalding, White, Bayston, Funnell, Woolfenden (Brown), Richardson, Harris, Glenister (Chivers), Phillips

Should Poole Town beat Fawley in the second round of the Wessex League Cup, then they will be away to the winners of Alton Town V AFC Newbury in the third round.

Back to league action again for Poole as they took on Hamble Assc at Tatnam. After the visitor's 4-1 demolition of Gosport just a week ago it was always going to be difficult for Poole to get something from the game.

Supporters were treated to a fine start from Poole as they looked lively from the very start. On 5 minutes the Hamble keeper attempted a clearance from a back pass but it was well charged down by Gary Funnell. As the ball broke clear on the left Funnell followed up and squared the ball for Glenister to knock the ball home with the keeper still out of position. Five minutes later and the keeper did exactly the same thing. This time the ball bounced to Woolfenden on the left and his cross to the near post saw Glenister get a touch but the ball could only hit the side netting.

At this stage it was all Poole and on 18 minutes Glenister broke down the right and produced the cross of the match to find the head of Phillips. Unfortunately the header beat the keeper but hit the underside of the bar, bounced on the line and was cleared away - it would have been a great goal. The second goal was not to be denied however and it came on 22 minutes. Funnell found himself out by the corner flag, beat a defender and his cross found the head of Ali Harris who flicked the ball over the keeper into the net.

2-0 up and cruising, Poole then completely lost control of the game! On 29 minutes Mitchener raced out of his box and challenged for the ball. The referee awarded a freekick to Hamble and with Mitchener still running back towards goal they took a quick freekick. A shot could only be parried by Mitchener and the rebound was thumped home to make it 2-1. Come half time and it was Poole wanting the whistle more than the visitors. Half time: 2-1.

The second half completely belonged to Hamble. They enjoyed huge possession of the ball and carved out several good chances. Fortunately for Poole, Hamble's finishing was decidedly poor and all the chances went begging. Even when Poole got the ball back they invariably proceeded to give it straight back - they really were hanging on for large parts of the second half.

On 80 minutes Leigh Mitchener pulled off a fine save when a great cross from the right was headed firmly towards goal. Sturgess and Bayston replaced Hounsell (injured) and Glenister and eventually Poole held on to secure all the points when in truth a draw was probably the fairest result.

Poole: Mitchener, Whitley, Spalding, Hounsell (Sturgess), Bartlett, Funnell, Woolfenden, Richardson, Harris, Glenister (Bayston), Phillips

The youth of Poole Town (read Reserves) continued their run in the FA Youth Cup with a pulsating win against a very strong Merthyr Tydfil side. A decent sized crowd turned up on the night with a fair proportion of them having made the trip down from Wales for the game.

In a quite amazing match the first half saw Merthyr take control of the game. From the very start they looked extremely strong, quick and skilful and always looked dangerous on the break. It was Poole who made the first chance however after just two minutes. Bayston played a fine ball through the defence and Chivers raced away down the right. Chivers squared the ball back to Bayston but his shot went wide of the left hand post. A minute later and Merthyr were in front from a great strike on the edge of the box which flew past Ryan Park into the left hand corner.

The visitors continued to look the better side and on 26 minutes the excellent Ryan Park made a fine point blank save after an opposing player had waltzed past a couple of defenders and looked certain to score. On 40 minutes Merthyr doubled their lead when a freekick found a free head and the ball went over the head of Park into the net. Two nil down and half time just round the corner it looked bleak for the Poole lads. Crucially they puled a goal back on 44 minutes. Carl Chivers allowed a ball to drop over his shoulder before sliding the ball past the keeper into the far corner. Half time: 1-2.

Now back in the match it was Poole who took the game to Merthyr and it set the match up for a great second half. On 53 minutes Chivers again got clear but was clearly brought down in the box by the last man. The referee immediately awarded a penalty but the defender was lucky to escape with a yellow card. Skipper Jon Byrom showed exactly how a penalty should be taken as his spot kick found the very top left corner of the net. 2-2 - game on!

On 60 minutes Merthyr found themselves one on one with the Poole keeper but the shot was high and wide. Two minutes later and Chris Snell provided a great ball to send Chivers away again. After controlling it well however the young striker fired high over the right hand post. It really was end to end stuff. On 78 minutes a ball over the Merthyr defence saw the keeper and defender get to the ball at the same time. In the confusion the ball broke to Chivers who gleefully knocked home his second of the night and also what turned out to be the winner.

As Merthyr pushed forward looking for the equaliser Poole looked even more dangerous on the break and both Chivers and Bayston were causing them all sorts of problems. On 87 minutes however a Merthyr freekick was knocked in short to the near post and a flick was well held by Park. A minute later and the Merthyr right back was given a red card for a second bookable offence.

Amazingly the referee decided to play 14 minutes of injury time but in fairness Poole kept the ball very well and held on superbly to win a sensational game. The young Poole lads, as usual, were an absolute credit to the Club and make no mistake, this was a fine result against a pretty good side. Poole will now be at home to Gloucester City in the 3rd Qualifying Round.

Poole: Park, Maynard (Brian), Byrom, Snell, Nisbet, A. Jackson, D. Sturgess, Hancox, Chivers, Bayston, Dobbs

It was back to cup action for the Dolphins as they took on Brading Town, currently top of the Wessex Division 2, in the first round of the Hampshire Senior Cup. In winning the game it was remarkably Poole's first home win in all competitions since the opening day victory over VTFC. Paul Bayston continued at left back and there was also a welcome return from injury for Darren Crook.

The first half was a battle from start to finish with Poole enjoying the majority of possession but Brading looking quite dangerous on the break at times. On 5 minutes it looked as though Poole would take the lead. A great cross from the right by Stuart Brown was met by Leigh Phillips and his bullet header looked for all the world like a goal. Indeed, Phillips was already seemingly turning away in celebration as the keeper pulled off a fine save to keep the ball out. There were some long range efforts from both sides but no other clear cut chances for either side. Half time: 0-0.

Gary Bartlett replaced Bayston at half time and on 60 minutes Glenister replaced Crook. On 69 minutes a Funnell freekick just outside the box was well turned round the post for a corner and supporters were wondering whether extra time and penalties may be required. However on 73 minutes Brown got away down the left and his cross was defended before the ball dropped to Funnell inside the box and he unleashed a volley which found it's way into the back of the net via a deflection off the defender. To their credit Brading kept going and enjoyed a good ten minutes after the goal. Poole wrapped up the game though on 83 minutes when a cross from Hounsell on the right was met by Glenister and his good header flew over the keeper to make it 2-0.

Poole now face an away trip to Alresford Town, also of Wessex 2, in the 2nd round.

Poole: Mitchener, Whitley, Spalding, Hounsell, Bayston (Bartlett), Funnell, Richardson (A. Jackson), Harris, Crook (Glenister), Phillips, Brown

Unfortunately no full match report available.

AFC Totton made a very strong start to the game as they really went at Poole in the first ten minutes or so. However, they were unable to break through and gradually Poole began to get stronger and as the half wore on so Poole got more and more into the game. On 42 minutes Leigh Phillips, back from holiday, hit the crossbar with a header from a Funnell freekick. Totton probably shaded the first half on possession but Poole had created the better chances. Half time: 0-0.

The second half continued in the same vein - an excellent advert for Wessex 1 football. However, on 74 minutes a rare Stuart Brown mistake allowed a Totton player to go one on one with Mitchener in goal and the keeper had no chance as AFC Totton took the lead. Within 30 seconds of the kick off though Poole were back on level terms once again when a stunning volley from Gary Funnell thundered towards goal and dipped over the keeper for a great equaliser.

Poole: Mitchener, Whitley, Spalding, Hounsell, Bayston, Funnell, Richardson, Harris, Woolfenden, Phillips, Brown
Sub used: Toms

Poole Town will be at home to Bideford in the 1st Round proper of the FA Vase on Saturday 29th October. Bideford are currently 2nd in the Western Premier League.

Poole's third attempt at the FA Vase saw them achieve their first victory and with it a place in the first round proper.
With Leigh Phillips still on holiday Carl Chivers partnered Richard Glenister up front. Ali Harris and Darren Reeks also started in midfield. Paul Spillane also returned from injury as keeper.

On a superb surface, Poole got off to the perfect start, On 5 minutes a Larkhall defender misjudged the strength of his header back to the keeper and Chivers was in like a shot. As the ball dropped Chivers spun and rolled the ball over the line into an empty net - his first goal of the season.

Poole did not play particularly well in the first half as they made heavy work of any opportunities. On 24 minutes Chivers knocked the ball through to Harris but his shot was well smothered by the keeper and knocked away for a corner. Larkhall created their first decent chance on the half hour when they found themselves a man over down the right. Some good passing saw the striker clear but his shot sailed over the bar when well placed. On 33 minutes Woolfenden flicked a header on to Chivers but he too fired well over the bar with the goal beckoning. Half time: 0-1.

Poole did step up their game in the second half but it needed the introduction of Ross Edwards (in what turned out to be his last game for the club before joining Bournemouth Poppies), Stuart Brown and Ryan Toms for the team to play better. On 63 minutes Glenister held off a couple of challenges as he ran down the right and he eventually squared the ball for Brown to finish with his second attempt. Two minutes later and Funnell produced another trademark freekick when he curled the ball round the wall into the left hand corner of the net. Poole completed the three goals in 7 minutes spell when a big kick from Spillane was headed on by Toms and Brown controlled the ball before firing across the keeper into the corner of the net.

In fairness to Larkhall they continued to try and play football and on 75 minutes Whitley made a great block on the line and Hounsell then produced another fine block on the line from the rebound. Larkhall kept going and on 90 minutes they got their consolation goal when a cross from the right was met by a looping header which went over Spillane and just under the bar.

Poole: Spillane, Whitley, Spalding, Hounsell, Funnell, Richardson, Harris, Reeks (Edwards), Woolfenden, Glenister (Toms), Chivers (Brown)