After the disappointment of Saturday manager Tom Killick sent out the same eleven players to try and make amends against high flying Wimborne Town. So still no Stuart Brown, Dan Cann or Taffy Richardson together with long term absentees Karim Benssaouda and Sean Hogan. Poole were unbeaten against Wimborne in their previous seven encounters (6 wins and 1 draw) and it is three months to the day since Poole comfortably inflicted Wimborne's only league defeat of the season thus far with a 2-0 win at Tatnam.

From a Poole perspective the first half was shambolic and ultimately embarrassing. Right from the start Wimborne looked the sharper of the two sides and they immediately put Poole under pressure. Skipper Ian Richardson had to leave the field after just four minutes to receive treatment and by the time he came on four minutes later Poole were already one down. On 6 minutes a Wimborne snapshot flew just wide of the right hand post although keeper Frampton had more confidence than most that it was going wide. Two minutes later and terrible defending gifted the visitors the lead. Twice Poole failed to clear the ball and eventually Wimborne took advantage by drilling it past Frampton into the left hand corner. If that was a poor start then the remainder of the first half was a horror show.

Poole did at least put some pressure on the Wimborne goal but after a sustained period from Poole, Wimborne broke away on 24 minutes. Bailey-Pearce ran Trefor Smith ragged in the first half and he escaped down the left before crossing perfectly for the Wimborne number 10 to control the ball, turn and deliver a stunning strike into the top right corner.

Wimborne were fully in charge at this point. Every pass had purpose and their passing and movement was a joy to watch. Poole were left to play dismal long balls from the back with the vague hope that someone might get on the end of it. To be fair to the Poole defence they had no choice but to play these balls as no-one ahead of them was showing for the ball at all.

With just 32 minutes on the clock Wimborne took a deserved three goal lead. Great passing again carved Poole open and a super cross from the right saw Scott Joyce finish clinically past Frampton. The celebrations as Joyce was lost amongst a crowd of Wimborne supporters had to be ended by the referee as it looked as though they had won the Senior Cup, Vase and League all at the same time.

From the restart Poole finally played some good football. Trefor Smith played the ball in and as Steve Smith dummied and peeled away Ben Osborne played the young striker in but his volley went over the bar. It was still lacklustre though from Poole overall. In the rare occasions when they did get in the Wimborne box there was nobody there to support the strikers. The midfield was far too deep and there was at least four or five Poole players stood on the halfway line watching whilst marking one opponent. Much work to be done by Killick and Cuss (plus a raging Taffy Richardson watching from the dugout) at half time.

Half time: 0-3

The signs did not look good for the second half. Wimborne were out very quickly and jogged back on to the pitch full of purpose. Poole trudged back on in single file no doubt still feeling the effects of what must have been a huge rollicking at half time. It is almost impossible to see two so completely opposite halves of football. From the whistle Poole got about their game and pushed up right across the pitch. No longer were Wimborne given the time and space to play the good football they are capable of and suddenly the visitors were rushed into clearances and passes that started going astray.

On 49 minutes Trefor Smith, who had experienced a horrid first half) started running at the Wimborne defence. He got to the line and as he cut into the box, was clumsily brought down. Penalty and skipper Ian Richardson stepped up to thump the ball home. Five minutes later and Smith again found himself in acres of space. Again he remembered what he does best and set off on one of his mazy runs. Into the box this time he was tripped  (by the same player who still didn't receive any card?!). No question - penalty number two and Richardson provided the same result. 2-3 and game on.

It was all Poole now and playing like this they are irresistible. On 60 minutes Gary Funnell unleashed a superb shot from all of 35 yards but the keeper made a great save to tip it over when it seemed destined for the top right corner. From the corner the ball was twice cleared off the Wimborne line before Ian Richardson dived headlong at the far post to complete a fantastic eleven minute hat-trick.

There was only ever going to be one winner from this point on as Wimborne simply looked out on their feet and unable to get the ball. Poole were level and there was still half an hour to go! On 66 minutes a Funnell freekick just eluded Culliford at the back post. Poole continued to press and squeeze all over the pitch and on 79 minutes forced another error. Poole broke three on two and Trefor Smith ran straight towards goal, pulling the defender in before releasing Osborne on the right. He took one touch and then placed the ball past the Wimborne keeper to give the Dolphins the lead.

It was a lead that never looked like being taken away as Poole calmly played out the final ten minutes whilst controlling the game. Leon Lima replaced a hobbling Ben Osborne on 85 minutes and he too chased everything down in the final few minutes.

A fantastic game of football and a thrilling comeback from Poole. In some ways the result didn't matter - the fact that the players came out and played with some pride and passion in the second half was all that any Poole supporter could have hoped for. To win it as well just capped a great night. Definitely one to savour.

Poole: Frampton, Whitley, Skelton, I. Richardson, Funnell, Sturgess, C. Smith, Culliford, T. Smith, S. Smith, Osborne (Lima)

A tricky fixture awaited Poole Town as they travelled along the coast to Moneyfields in deepest Portsmouth. Despite the 4-0 win there last year Moneyfields had still played pretty good football on the day and it is worth remembering that they had won 1-0 at Tatnam last season too. Taffy Richardson missed his first league game of the season with an injury so Chris Smith replaced him in midfield. The bench looked a little thin too with just Fawzi Saadi and Karl Yelland on hand.

The first half was a totally lacklustre affair with neither side gaining an upperhand and chances few and far between. All too often both sides resorted to long balls from the back and in the swirling wind possession kept passing from one side to the other. It took until mid way through the first half before there was a chance on goal - a crisp volley from a Moneyfields player that Max Frampton did well to turn around the post for a corner. On 28 minutes Moneyfields produced a neat move - a great ball from left to right found the number 7 in space and his fierce shot brought another fine save from Frampton.

Poole's first and only chance of the first half came right before the break and resulted in the Dolphins taking the lead. Gary Funnell did well to dispossess a player in the middle of the pitch. He sent Steve Smith away down the left and his first time cross was met by Ben Osborne who tucked the ball past the home keeper from close range. A lucky half time lead.

Half time: 0-1

There was certainly a little bit more edge to the second half but unfortunately it was Moneyfields who upped their game just a fraction more than Poole. Both defences looked resolute and both midfields scrapped to win the ball. On 48 minutes Frampton needed to produce another superb point blank save. On 56 minutes Trefor Smith produced a great cross into the box and Steve Smith's header beat the keeper but came back off the foot of the left hand post. Had that gone in - it probably would have been game over.

Still Moneyfields kept beavering away as the game moved from one frantic scramble at one end to the same at the other end. On 68 minutes a fantastic swerving shot from 25 yards seemed destined for the top corner but Frampton puled off yet another great save to deny the home side. The writing did seem to be on the wall however and after Saadi replaced Chris Smith on 69 minutes Moneyfields seemed to suddenly grab the upper hand in the middle. On 75 minutes Steve Smith found Saadi who squared to Culliford. His long range effort was tipped over for a corner but within a minute Moneyfields were level. Their midfielder was allowed time and space in the middle and from 25 yards out he hit an unstoppable shot which found the top right corner of the net. It was a great finish and a worthy equaliser.

It only looked like going one way from this point and buoyed by their goal Moneyfields surged forward and within four minutes had secured the winning goal. They broke on the left and a pinpoint cross to the back post found a player unmarked and he took a touch before thumping it past Frampton. Moneyfields then expertly killed the game in the last ten minutes denying Poole even a half chance to get back into it.

A bad day at the office for Poole. There was certainly no lack of effort from anyone but things just didn't click today and it was a poor performance overall. Credit to Moneyfields though - they never gave up on the game and punished Poole's lack of cutting edge.

Poole: Frampton, Whitley, Skelton, I. Richardson, Funnell, Sturgess, C. Smith (Saadi), Culliford, T. Smith, S. Smith, Osborne

Poole Town will be at home to fellow Wessex Premier side Cowes Sports in the 3rd Round of the Vase. Match will be on 8th December - kick-off 3.00pm.

Poole's first home league game for nearly a month saw the league leaders take on the basement boys of Downton. A 100% home league record against a 0% away record obviously left Poole supporters looking for a convincing win and the all important three points.

There was a welcome return for Trefor Smith to the starting line-up and Skelton also returned in defence as Poole were without skipper Ian Richardson for the first time this season. Ben Osborne made his home debut.

This game was all about Poole doing a professional job and not assuming that turning up would secure the points. It wasn't a vintage performance by any means but from the outset Downton set their stall out to defend so Poole had to break down a huge defensive unit.
The first goal would prove crucial because then Downton would have to come out a bit more and Poole worked the opening inside of twelve minutes. A Taffy Richardson ball over the top of the defence was met by Steve Smith and he allowed the ball to bounce before volleying past the keeper.

Six minutes later and an almost identical move saw Dave Sturgess in the same position but his lob dropped just wide of the post. Two minutes later and Culliford did well on the left before picking out Sturgess and this time his volley went just over the bar. The writing was on the wall at this stage of the game and the pattern rarely changed - Poole controlled the ball and created chance after chance.

On 21 minutes Karl Yelland delivered a freekick into the box and Steve Smith headed over with the goal beckoning. It was to be the first of a string of misses for the Poole hitman although he would still secure two goals before being substituted on 77 minutes. The half hour mark saw another fine Poole move with Culliford finding Osborne. He produced a great cross from the left and a towering header from Steve Smith again went the wrong side of the bar.

Poole's best goal came on 39 minutes and ended the game as a contest. Yelland had a good run down the right but his cross proved too deep as it soared over everyone. Trefor Smith did well to retrieve the ball and cut it back to a surging Funnell who clipped it first time beyond the keeper into the far corner - a good finish from the Poole midfielder who is ominously finding his shooting boots again.

41 minutes - Osborne produced a deft pass to send Steve Smith clear but again he couldn't finish. Within seconds he was racing clear again - volley went wide!

Half time: 2-0.

The second half was almost a mirror image of the first. Steve Smith won the ball on 52 minutes and squared for Osborne but his shot was well saved by the keeper's legs and went out for a corner. Dave Sturgess gave another mature performance in midfield and he delivered a great ball over the defence for Steve Smith. This time his shot beat the keeper but came back off the post. He was quickest to the rebound and again squared for Osborne and yet again his shot was saved by the keeper. Poole were not to be denied however and a minute later they were three up. Taffy Richardson intercepted the ball on the halfway line and poked a ball through to Steve Smith. He had the entire length of the Downton half to decide what he was going to do but entering the box he simply placed the ball into the corner.

Chris Smith and Shaun Bowden replaced Skelton and Culliford and a few minutes later Leon Lima made his league debut when he replaced Steve Smith. The final twenty minutes proved a bit laborious as both sides seemed to go through the motions but an injection of pace by Bowden deep into injury time saw him brought down in the box and with regular penalty take Ian Richardson watching from the sidelines, Ben Osborne took the ball and thumped the ball home to open his Poole account.

Poole: Frampton, Whitley, Skelton (C. Smith), Yelland, Funnell, Sturgess, S. Richardson, Culliford (Bowden), T. Smith, S. Smith (Lima), Osborne

Message received from Alex Freeman of Alton Town FC as follows:-

"Would you all be kind enough to click onto our online petition http://savealtontownfootballclub.activeboard.com/ and post your name and town (no registration or log in required - just copy the numbers at the bottom of your post before submitting & no comments please).
Please ask your friends and family to do the same, I'm sure no one wants to see a Wessex League team fold.
 
To find out why our club needs saving please visit our official club website www.altontownfc.com and follow the relevant links.
 
We are extremely grateful to all those who help us and need as many posts as possible.
 
Many thanks!"
Alex Freeman - Alton Town Football Club Website Manager

Report Courtesy of Matchday Programme

On the day, a two-one victory, the three points in the bag and we are maintaining our lead in the league that the rest have got to match, so job done and the game can be consigned to the history books as just another that we won on the road to whatever the end of the season has in store. It wasn’t pivotal or will it be? This was without doubt the poorest Poole have played so far this season and therefore, hopefully will be recorded as our lowest ebb. It certainly wasn’t the team that gave new boys, Alresford a reality check in the second game of the season with a 4-0 trouncing at the Tatnam. In fact at times the home side belied their lowly position in the table and out played Poole for long periods of the game.

Ben Osborne about to make his debut for Poole, making a nuisance of himself to the Alresford defenders

Poole were struggling before the kick-off again with injuries to key players, Trefor joined his brother Chris (who is coming back from injury) on the bench, having picked up a knock against Hamworthy, which gave new signing Ben Osborne his debut start. Dan Cann was also carrying an injury sustained on Tuesday night and was nowhere near up to speed. After 20 minutes he was felled again and aggravated the problem further. He was substituted by Shaun Bowden eight minutes later after valiantly trying to run it off, but to no avail. Bowden has quickly adjusted to the speed of this league and was soon working well with debutee Osborne on the Poole left.
Ben is an old hand at Wessex football and fitted in effortlessly with his new team. He was the visitors main treat in the first half, although service to him was not as frequent as that seen by his predecessors on this occasion. He got on the end of a cross from Taffy on 15 minutes, which he headed at the near post forcing Chapman to save, he picked up the rebound and passed to Steve Smith to shoot and again Chapman saved, with the ball falling back to Smith whose second shot was blocked and went out for a corner. On the half our mark Osborne was in a two man break with Smith and having been set up by the young goalhunters pass, fired over the bar. There were a few other half chances and a run of corners, but Alresford defended well and Chapman remained in command of his area right up until the dying embers of the first half. Andy Culliford finally broke the deadlock with the clock into time added on, with a header off a corner down and into the net at the far post.
Half Time Poole lead 1-0.

Second half and Alresford now really got going and the midfield struggle of the first half became an end to end fight. Max was tested several times and Alresford won a series of corners and was caught in two minds on 50 minutes, when Stuart Findlay got the ball to the left of the goal about 15 yards out and seeing Max had left his line, chipped the big Poole keeper to put the home side level. A minute later and Findlay struck again only this time Max pushed the shot over. On the touchline Steve Cuss and Tom were deep in conference and decided to switch Aaron Skelton for Karl Yelland on 65 minutes, two minutes after the home team switched the forward on that wing, and do some rapid adjusting as Alresford by now had pressed the Dolphins back and had the run of the midfield for large chunks of time. The home side went close off a corner when Ross Lewis fired a shot just over and was again in with a chance a few minutes later but fired wide. Poole had their chances at the other end though withTaffy’s header being pushed away on 67 minutes and Steve Smith put another over the bar on 74 minutes off Taffy’s cross.

Osborne was set up for a charge on goal by a lob forward and was dragged down awkwardly by an Alresford defender on 83 minutes. Taffy got a yellow for arguing the case for further punishment for the foul from Mr Kavanagh, who was far too fond of his whistle throughout the entire game and made an already scrappy match appear even more so. Gary Funnell took the free kick and drilled it into the goal off the base of the post to give Poole back the lead and secure the win.
Alresford weren’t about to give up though and the game suddenly came alive. Poole could have extended the lead when Osborne, Smith and Funnell all had cracks at goal in a single move with Chapman blocking each of the shots in a display of brilliant goalkeeping and Alresford could have stolen a well deserved point at the death when Danny Edwards low drive was saved my Max as it tried to sneek by the near post. From the resulting corner, now some 5 minutes into time added on, Alresford hit the crossbar with a shot and Max had to scramble to get the rebound to end the threat.. Three points and a win, but Alresford could feel justified that they should have had at least a point from this encounter.

Poole: Frampton, Whitley, I. Richardson, Yelland (Skelton), Funnell, Cann (Bowden), Sturgess, S. Richardson, Culliford, S. Smith, Osborne

Much activity to catch up on - summary as follows:-

Ryan Lucas - moved to Hamworthy Recreation.
Karim Benssaouda - currently back in Algeria - visa issues.
Fawzi Saadi - returned to Algeria.
Stuart Cannie - taken a break from football - left club.
Danny Steer - moved to Totton & Eling

Striker Ben Osborne has moved to Poole Town from Christchurch (2 goals in the league from 9 appearances this season).

Finally, out thoughts go to Sean Hogan who has broken his ankle playing for his university side. Sean is unlikely to return this season so we look forward to welcoming him back to Poole Town as soon as possible,