For the latest Sydenhams Premier game Poole welcomed Moneyfields to Tatnam. Moneyfields have had some decent results this season and following Poole's 4-1 reverse at Shaftesbury in midweek this was always going to be a tough game. Gary Funnell was out through suspension and with Alan Jordan still absent Luke Whitley took over as skipper.

One of the shortest match reports to do due to the overall quality of the game. Dire.

Absolutely nothing to comment on in the first half. No chances, no excitement, nothing!

Half time: 0-0.

On 48 minutes Fawzi Saadi replaced an injured James Guetling and on 61 minutes Karim Benssaouda replaced Steve Strong.

Hooray - on 69 minutes some action! Skelton played a ball into Benssaouda on the edge of the box and he turned, created some space and hit a left foot shot just over the bar. Two minutes later Benssaouda was booked (perhaps it was for having a shot at goal because the foul he was adjudged to have committed was ridiculous. It wasn't even a foul let alone a booking).

On 83 minutes Moneyfields broke and with their only chance of the match the ball was tucked under Frampton to give the visitors the lead.
A minute later and Benssaouda produced some good work on the edge of the box before setting up Skelton who drilled a shot just over.

Two minutes from time Benssaouda picked up a second yellow card, this time for dissent and was subsequently sent off.

Sorry for the report but nothing else to say. Two poor sides who cancelled each other out. From about the third minute the Poole defence were encouraged to 'launch it' at every opportunity and even the hard working Glenister is not going to be able to cope with that for an entire game. The whole Moneyfields side must have suffered sore throats come Sunday morning as most of the 90 minutes saw them screaming at the referee every time a Poole player got within 3 yards of one of their players. Even the referee got into the spirit of the game - he was dreadful as well.

Poole: Frampton, Whitley, Guetling (Saadi), Gilbert (Chivers), Sturgess, Hogan, Skelton, Richardson, T. Smith, Strong (Benssaouda), Glenister

No full report on this debacle in rural Dorset. An understrength side through injury and missing bodies was no match for the hard working Div 1 side who deserved to go through. Shaftesbury were 2-0 up at the break and went into a 4-0 lead before Dave Sturgess scored a late consolation.

Poole: Frampton, C. Smith, Guetling, Whitley, Skelton (Reeves), Gilbert, Funnell, Strong (Diallo), Chivers, Martin Newbery, Sturgess

Match report Courtesy of Matchday Programme.

In truth not a lot has changed at Horndean since their promotion of last season. The pitch was of a tricky nature with the grass somewhat long. The given attendance was 40 but I would suggest that 40+ probably made the trip to Horndean from Poole but whatever on with the real match facts! The line-up saw Sean Hogan return and Karim Benssaouda was also in the starting eleven.

The early stages saw some tough challenges going in with Chris Smith especially suffering some harsh treatment, the lack of punishment did not help the situation. Despite that Poole were carving out the chances and finally broke the deadlock on 20 minutes. Sean Hogan was fouled to the right of the home box, Gary Funnell drilled the ball low into the left hand corner of the net. 22 minutes and it was 2-0. Aaron Skelton finding the left hand corner of the net from the left side of the 18 yard box via a left side corner. That third goal would not come and on 44 minutes Town were caught out on the left hand side and No. 6 James Searle who could have walked much earlier for some rough tactics was on hand to force the ball home and make it 2-1.

Half time: 1.2.

Poole suffered some close calls as per the 59th minute when a flurry of corners saw both Sean Hogan and Chris Smith clearing off the line. Finally Poole got their third goal. Dave Sturgess and Karim Benssaouda combined on the left to win a corner. Sean Hogan floated the ball in and it was flicked across the face of the goal and Luke Whitley popped up and found the net - 3-1.

The mid 80's on the clock and it was time to introduce Paul Bayston and Alpha Diallo. I'm sure that the home side enjoyed chasing their fresh legged youngsters, with Alpha showing some quality ball skills. On 92 minutes the keeper spilled the ball and Paul Bayston made it 4-1. 93 minutes and Alpha Diallo ran on to a Gary Funnell throughball and set up Paul Bayston but his effort went just wide.

Three more well won points on the road.

Poole: Frampton, Hogan, Jordan, Whitley, Richardson, C. Smith, Funnell, Skelton, Glenister (Bayston), Benssaouda (Diallo), Sturgess

Poole Town's league campaign continued on the road as they travelled into the New Forest to take on Graham Kemp's Brockenhurst.
After the last league disappointment of the home draw against Downton it was crucial that Poole pick up all three points to maintain some pressure at the top of the table.

On a bobbly pitch the opening quarter of an hour saw no chances for either side as both teams fought to gain the upper hand. On 17 minutes a good move from Poole saw the ball eventually crossed in from the right. The ball fell to Dave Sturgess just a couple of yards out but he couldn't get a shot in and when the ball was eventually cleared to the edge of the box, Aaron Skelton hammered a low shot through a crowd of players into the back of the Brock net. 1-0 to the Dolphins.

Gary Funnell produced another excellent performance in midfield and on 20 minutes he delivered a fantastic ball in behind the Brock defence and straight into the path of Glenister. Unfortunately the big striker was unable to control the ball and the chance was wasted. On 31 minutes it was another touch of Funnell magic that brought Poole their second goal and Funnell his 49th for the club. A Poole clearance from the back dropped to Funnell about 35 yards out and after controlling it superbly he took one touch and volleyed it over the stranded Brock keeper and into the net - a great goal.

On the stroke of half time a Funnell freekick skidded through the wall and the keeper managed to push it away for a corner. From the corner the ball was nodded back across the face of the goal and Luke Whitley fired in a shot whci was blocked and cleared by a defender off the line.

Half time: 0-2.

Brockenhurst raised their game at the start of the second half and pulled a goal back almost instantly. A left foot shot from the edge of the box took a wicked deflection off a Poole player and looped up and over Frampton. Suddenly the Badgers were back in it and for five minutes looked like adding an equaliser. However, it was a Poole goal on 49 minutes which effectively killed the game off. A poor clearance from a Brock defender fell to Trefor Smith and after a great run jinking past two players his left foot shot flew into the bottom left hand corner of the net - his first goal for Poole.

On 71 minutes a Brock cross from the right was nodded down and a shot from three yards out was hooked high over the bar. A minute later and Funnell found Sturgess on the edge of the home side's area and his shot was tipped away for another Poole corner. Four minutes later and Poole produced the move of the match. Taffy Richardson sent a good ball down the line to Glenister on the right. Glennie did very well, beat his man and then pulled the ball back to Trefor Smith on the edge of the box. His shot was well blocked and Sturgess picked up the rebound before firing another shot just over.

Poole: Frampton, Whitley, Jordan, Guetling, Sturgess, Richardson (Gilbert), Skelton, C. Smith, Funnell, T. Smith, Glenister (Benssaouda)

Report to follow.

Cup action again for Poole Town as they took on Western Premier table toppers Frome Town at Tatnam. A depleted Poole side saw Taffy Richardson, Karim Benssaouda and Steve Strong all out through injuries picked up in the last seven days.

Unfortunately this match was deemed a non-sporting event right from the first whistle as the referee conspired to ruin the entire occasion for players and supporters alike. For fear of getting the Club into trouble I will not print my thoughts on this referee. In a match where I couldn't see one bad foul from a Poole player the referee managed to give the Dolphins eight yellow cards and a red. It was pathetic and Frome supporters in the bar afterwards could not believe the decisions either.

Trefor Smith picked up a yellow card in the eighth minute for kicking the ball away 5 yards after a free kick went against him. A minute later and Poole had a freekick on the left hand side. Fawzi Saadi took a quick freekick and as he connected with the ball a Frome player stepped directly in front of him, one yard away. Obviously the ball hit him - a yellow card offence and the referee failed to give it and made Poole take the freekick again.

On 15 minutes Hogan chased a ball down with a Frome defender. Whilst there was equal shoulder barging from both players, Hogan was yellow carded and nothing given against the Frome player. Four minutes later Glenister was clearly fouled in the middle of the park. The ref waved play on and as Glenister chased back he gave the Frome player a nudge - yellow card.

Oh yes - apparently there was a match going on and Poole indeed looked the better side during the first half. On 28 minutes Saadi sent Glenister clear but his shot whistled over the bar. On 34 minutes Gary Funnell produced the tackle of the match, sliding in from the side, hooking his foot round the ball, cleanly winning it and then getting up to accelerate away. The tackle was met with applause from right round the ground....... whistle blows and Funnell given a yellow card for a foul. Unbelievable.

On 38 minutes Frome took the lead. Glenister again was clearly fouled and as he fell to the ground he caught the other player and obviously the referee gave From the freekick. They promptly raced up the field and made it 1-0. Two minutes later a Frome player handballed in the middle of the park - not given and again they raced upfield. A rare error from Alan Jordan allowed the Frome number 9 in to double the visitor's lead.

On 43 minutes Poole pulled a deserved goal back. Glenister had a shot turned away and from the resulting corner, Funnell delivered the ball to the back post where Steve Gilbert rose to head home his first goal for the club.

Half time: 1-2.

From the kick-off Hogan made straight down the right hand side and although his cross missed Glenister, Trefor Smith got a shot in but the keeper blocked well for a corner. On 58 minutes Saadi skipped past a couple of players and made for the Frome box. Right on the edge of the box he was scythed down with no intention to play the ball. Yellow card? No - course not - nothing.

Despite Poole having some good pressure the Frome front two did look dangerous all afternoon and they regained their two goal lead on 70 minutes. Jordan conceded a corner and in a replica of the Poole goal the Frome number 9 headed home at the far post.

On 74 minutes Funnell turned in the centre circle and a Frome player ran across him and fell to the ground. Second yellow followed by a red card for Funnell who had done absolutely nothing wrong in the entire match. Three minutes later Sturgess picked up a yellow card and three minutes after that substitute Chris Smith picked up a yellow when he jumped for a ball and a Frome player caught his leg. If it seems like there wasn't much football action to report in this match, that's because there wasn't. Referee wanted centre stage and attention - well done - fully achieved.

Poole: Frampton, Whitley, Jordan, Gilbert, Sturgess (C. Smith), Saadi (Chivers), Guetlin, Hogan (Reeks), Funnell, T. Smith, Glenister

Stuart Brown has moved to Gosport Borough.
Stuart made 80 appearances for Poole Town and scored 33 goals.

Mark Hankey has also moved on - he has gone to Andover. This was due to the fact that Mark lives on the other side of Salisbury so this move cuts down the travelling he has to make.

We wish both players all the very best in their future careers.

The first ever meeting of Poole Town and Downton at senior level took place on Wednesday night in a Sydenhams Wessex Premier league match at Tatnam. With Poole riding high in the league and a 100% league home record and Downton near the foot without a league win surely the outcome could only be a home win? Unfortunately this was not to be and despite Poole's dominance in possession the clear cut chances (certainly in the second half) fell to Downton and they may be a little disappointed not to take all three points.

There were several changes for Poole - Benssaouda and Strong both picked up injuries on Saturday and were out and there was also no Sean Hogan or Aaron Skelton. In came the Smith brothers with Glenister and Chivers both starting as well.

Poole started brightly enough and took an early lead after just ten minutes. Funnell made a great run from midfield, checked back inside and unleashed a shot with his right foot. Although the keeper managed to parry it, Carl Chivers was on hand to drive the ball past him to make it 1-0. Poole continued to look the better side and more goals were expected. However, on 19 minutes a long ball out from the Downton defence caught the Poole boys napping and the race was on between Frampton and Downton's Sullivan. Although Frampton got to the ball first his kick cannoned straight into the forward and with Frampton out of position Sullivan was able to tuck the ball into the empty net.

Three minutes later and Poole nearly took the lead again when a Funnell freekick was met by the head of Alan Jordan but the keeper managed to tip it just over the bar. On 36 minutes it was Jordan again, producing some nice work in the Downton area before sliding the ball to Whitley. In space, however, his left foot shot sailed over the visitor's crossbar.

At this point it still looked as though Poole would go on to win the game. On 40 minutes Dave Sturgess cut in from the left wing and hit a superb 30 yard shot which the keeper could only watch dip over him but cannon back off the corner of the bar and post. Right on the stroke of half time though it was Downton who took the lead and left the Poole fans speechless. A good break on the right saw the ball drop to a Downton player just outside the box on the right. His shot looked comfortable for Frampton to save but big Max, on a night he probably will want to forget, must have thought the ball was going wide so instead he just watched it flash straight past him into the top right corner. Disaster.

Half time: 1-2.

Frustration slowly built up for Poole during the second half. Glenister picked up a yellow card for a stupid challenge on 48 minutes and for ten minutes Downton were all over Poole. The Poole defence looked extremely fragile and panic seemed to set in on more than a couple of occasions. Downton fashioned two golden opportunities to extend their lead but lacked the composure in front of goal.

On 54 minutes Poole seemed to be back on track. Good possession led to a freekick just outside the box and yet another trademark Funnell freekick curled low round the wall and into the bottom left corner of the net to bring the match level once more. Despite almost constant Poole pressure at this point they were unable to really create another chance for the rest of the match. This was not helped on 73 minutes when there was a clash in the Downton goalmouth. The Downton number 6 received a yellow card as did Glenister and as it was his second he received a red card and was dismissed for Poole.

Yellows were also picked up by Gilbert and Jordan as the half wore on and Taffy Richardson picked up a calf injury on 86 minutes and was replaced by Paul Bayston. Unfortunately the changes made no difference and Downton hung on for a well deserved draw.

A disappointing Poole performance and result and even a 100% improvement will not be enough if they have any hopes of beating Frome Town in the 1st round of the FA Vase on Saturday.

Poole: Frampton, Whitley, Jordan, Gilbert, Sturgess (Guetlin), Funnell, T. Smith, C. Smith (Saadi), Richardson (Bayston), Glenister, Chivers