Poole Town travelled up the road to local rivals Ringwood Town and completed their second consecutive 'double' of the league campaign with a battling display to win 2-1.

With no Fletcher, Wright or Neville the squad was topped up with the return of Darren Mooney, Richie Atherton and Garry Morris.
On a heavy and bumpy pitch at Long Lane, fast flowing football was never likely to happen and the first half saw both sides struggling to cope with the tricky conditions. It took until the 20th minute before the first proper chance was created - Karim Benssaouda setting up Holland who turned in the box and saw his shot pushed away for a corner.

On 35 minutes Holland made a good run down the right and his superb cross was met by Carl Woodward but his first time volley whistled wide of the right hand post. As the first half wore on so The Dolphins took more control of the game and on 39 minutes a great run from Woodward set up Darren Elmes but last weeks' four goal hero saw his shot cannon back off the post and eventually be cleared to safety. As the half drifted into injury time so both Holland and Spalding picked up bookings before ex Poole favourite Jason Lovell rose majestically to head home superbly from a freekick and give the home side a shock lead. Even before the half time whistle was blown Poole still fashioned another chance when a great freekick from Benssaouda clipped the bar after leaving the keeper stranded. Half-time: 1-0.

Poole continued to push early in the second half and the equaliser came on 50 minutes. A long ball from the back superbly picked out Benssaouda's run and as the keeper raced off his line the Poole striker produced a sublime lob to level the scores. As Poole went in search of the winner so the chances racked up in the second half. On 65 minutes another long ball saw Holland beat the offside trap and after the keeper missed the ball he coolly slotted the ball into the empty net. On 70 minutes Holland nipped in between two defenders but his left foot shot was tipped onto the post and away for a corner. The corner kick was swung into the box and Neal Spalding slightest of touches saw the ball fall agonisingly wide of the opposite post.

Despite their second half dominance Poole were nearly caught out at the death as a mistake in the defence nearly allowed Lovell to add to his goal tally again. The final whistle was met by cheers from the Poole support and the team was applauded from the pitch after producing a steely performance to take the three points. Next up - Winchester City at Tatnam next Saturday!

Poole: Elliot, Woodward, G. Morris, Spalding, Atherton, Mundee, Homer, Elmes, Mooney, Holland, Benssaouda

With Darren Mooney suspended Darren Elmes came back into midfield in place of Tommy Killick and Andre Neville replaced Matt Morris. who dropped to the bench.

After a one minute silence at the start of the match in memory of Bob Terrell the team produced the most scintillating performance - one which Bob would have been delighted with.

No full match report is available but the key moments were as follows:-

18 mins - Fletcher delivered a freekick into the box and Elmes scored from close range.
21 mins - Holland struck a 20 yard shot to make it 2-0.
33 mins - Karim Benssaouda produced a stunning 25 yard volley for his only goal of the game.
34 mins - Elmes rounded keeper to make it 4-0.
38 mins - Holland saw a header cannon back off the bar.

Half-time: 4-0.

46 mins - Just 12 seconds into the second half Brading pulled one back.
49 mins - Holland drove another shot to secure his second of the game.
54 mins - Holland stumbled but Elmes took control and rounded keeper again for his hat-trick.
79 mins - Best goal of game - Elmes delivered a great cross from the right and Carl Woodward met it first time to volley spectacularly into the net - (and this is definitely his first of the season!!)
85 mins - Elmes rattled in his fourth and the Dolphin's eighth.

A terrific performance which lifts the team back to second in the league and confidence will be high going to local rivals Ringwood Town next Saturday. Well Done to the entire squad who can now enjoy a well deserved Christmas break.

Poole: Elliot, Woodward, A. Neville, Spalding, Wright, Mundee, Homer, Elmes, Fletcher, Holland, Benssaouda

It has been pointed out to me by Gary Fletcher that it was indeed him who headed home Carl Woodward's cross on Wednesday night. Sorry Fletch - all records have now been put straight! Apologies to Carl who is still waiting for his first of the season - at least he can claim two assists from the night!!

After the disappointment of Saturday's defeat at Andover New Street, Poole travelled to Locks Heath attempting to avenge the opening day defeat at Tatnam. With Darren Mooney and Darren Elmes unavailable Tommy Killick and Gary Fletcher came into the side.

Again Poole Town started brightly and Jamie Holland missed two chances from close range in the opening ten minutes. On 16 minutes Benssaouda produced some magic on the left and his cross was again met by Holland who volleyed over the bar when well placed. Poole seemed to lose their way a bit as passes went astray and the mistakes started creeping back into their play. This was typified on 38 minutes when Ben Wright underhit a back pass to Elliot and a Locks player nipped in to lob the keeper and put the home side in front. The lead lasted barely two minutes however as a Woodward corner from the right was met by an unmarked Benssaouda at the far post and he made no mistake with his header. Half-time: 1-1.

On 50 minutes Poole received a freekick on the right side of the pitch. Carl Woodward hit a superb cross which was met at the far post by Fletcher to provide him with his third of the season. From this point on Poole took total control of the game and you could see throughout the team the desire to get a third and decisive goal. Gary Fletcher drove them forward well from the midfield offering his usual encouragement and leadership as Holland and Benssaouda caused havoc in the Locks Heath defence. On 53 minutes Benssaouda again tormented the defence but his eventual cross to Holland for a simple tap in was again wasted as the shot went wide of the far post. Two minutes later and after a quick freekick Woodward whistled a shot just wide of the post.

The third goal came on 75 minutes - Holland opening up the defence down the right, crossing for Benssaouda to coolly shoot past the keeper into the corner.

A terrific second half performance saw Poole produce their best football for some time. After the comments by Locks Heath in the press after the opening day it was also sweet revenge for the Dolphins as they moved back to third in the table.

Poole: Elliot, Woodward, Spalding, Wright, Mundee, Homer, Killick, M. Morris (?), Fletcher, Holland, Benssaouda

No full match report available for this game.
In summary Ross Elliot saved a penalty after just 2 minutes.
31 mins - 1-0 - to New Street
37 mins - Woodward to Holland - fouled in box. Benssaouda scored from penalty spot.
Half-time: 1-1.
56 mins - New Street scored from penalty spot.
Poole Town missed numerous chances and had two goals disallowed.

Poole: Elliot, Woodward, Spalding, Wright, Mundee, Homer, Mooney, M. Morris (Fletcher), Elmes, Holland, Benssaouda

It is with deep sadness that I have to report the sudden death at yesterday's match of devoted Poole Town Football Club supporter Bob Terrell. Bob is known to everyone connected with the Football Club and recently took over the position of Vice-Chairman of Poole Town Football Supporters Club. Bob had been a fan of the Club for all of his life and rarely missed any Dolphins game - home or away. He will be sorely missed by everyone and our deepest sympathies go to his family.

Poole Town  2 V 1  Fawley   -  Hampshire Premier League

With Jamie Holland, Darren Mooney and Brian Mundee all unavailable for the game Darren Elmes partnered Benssaouda up front and Jeremy Ainsworth made his first full debut for the club. Gary Fletcher also returned to the midfield.

With Fawley bottom of the table and having already won away 5-0 to Fawley in the Trophyman Cup, hopes were high that Poole would rattle in a serious amount of goals. Credit to Fawley though as this did not happen and in the end the Dolphins were relieved to take the three points at the final whistle.

The first half was all one way traffic as Poole took early control. On 15 minutes Benssaouda created some space and eventually squared the ball for Darren Elmes to knock in from close range. Poole continued to press and shots rained in from all positions. On 27 minutes Benssaouda made a fine run down the left and although Elmes was once again free in the area Benssaouda instead drilled a great left foot shot which was tipped onto the post by the keeper. Two minutes later and after a flurry of shots Benssaouda again let rip with a volley but this time it cannoned back off the bar to safety. Within a further minutes Benssaouda set up Fletcher but his effort narrowly went over the bar. With so much pressure it was only a matter of time before the second goal came. On 32 minutes the referee awarded an indirect freekick inside the Fawley area for a back pass and after being teed up Matty Homer drilled a shot into the top right corner of the net. Half-time: 2-0.

As much as the first half was entertaining and full of good football the second half was a drab affair with Poole failing to capitalise on their superiority. Within a minute of the restart Fawley pulled a goal back after some sloppy defending and Poole struggled from then on. As Fawley's confidence grew so Poole settled for the 2-1 win and the battle became limited to the midfield. The highlight of the second half came on 85 minutes when Benssaouda cut in from the right, beat two players and saw his shot brilliantly tipped over by the visiting keeper.

Poole: Elliot, Woodward, Spalding, Fletcher, Wright, Ainsworth, G. Morris, Homer, M. Morris, Elmes, Benssaouda
Unused Subs: D. Morrell, D. Neville, P. Morrell

Match Report Courtesy of

After nearly three weeks without a game Dorchester were given just the work-out they wanted on their way to the fourth round of the Dorset Senior Cup at Tatnam Farm last night.

Their Hampshire Premier League opponents put up much more of a fight than they did when the Magpies thrashed them 8-0 in a friendly on the same pitch a month ago.

It would have been a bigger margin but for a string of good saves from Dolphins' goalkeeper Ross Elliott, but a goal in each half from player coach Matt Holmes and Justin Keeler was enough to see the Magpies through to the next stage.

Their defence, in which Mark Jermyn was outstanding, was never in much danger of being breached with gloveman Mark Ormerod a chilly spectator for much of the match.

The only blot on Dorchester's copybook was averted when manager Mark Morris pulled off hot-head Andy Harris with 25 minutes remaining and, with his three substitutes already in action, left his side to finish the game with only ten men.

Harris was booked for a retaliatory foul on Darren Elmes on 64 minutes and with ex-Magpie Tommy Killick - who plays for the Dolphins in mid-week and joint manages Salisbury on Saturdays - doing his best to wind up the easily-provoked Harris, Morris wisely withdrew his skipper after he pushed referee Janie Frampton's patience to the limit with two more indiscretions in quick succession.

Morris gave ex-Bashley striker Stuart Cooper his first start alongside Matt Groves after his four goals for the reserves on Saturday, and his pace twice took him clean through the Poole defence in the first 15 minutes.

But on the first occasion his shot across Elliott went just wide of the far post and on the second the goalkeeper beat the ball away with his legs.

Elliott swooped to his right to fingertip the ball away after some dazzling, one-touch passing put Holmes in for a close range shot and then Marcus Oldbury ghosted past two defenders before being thwarted by another superb Elliott save.

A trademark Keeler effort stung Elliott's hands again in the 36th minute and the goalkeeper's outstretched foot kept out Groves' drive before Holmes broke the deadlock with a strike of sheer class from the edge of the area in the 40th minute.

After all his good work, Elliott let himself down when Keeler hit the Magpies second two minutes after the re-start. A defender deflected Groves' goalbound header for a corner and Holmes directed a deep kick to Keeler some 35 yards out.

The former Cherries striker connected solidly first time with a left foot volley but the goalkeeper seemed to have it well covered before allowing the dipping ball to squeeze through his legs.

Dorchester might have suspected the Dolphins were on the verge of collapse after all their first half ball chasing. But the home side had no such thoughts and while there was little indication that they had the capability to retrieve the situation and were almost solely on the back foot, they lasted the pace well.

But it was still only the Magpies who threatened to add to the score and Cooper should have done better with a free header from six yards that went wide. Then Elliott atoned for his mistake with another full length dive to fingertip away a header from subsitute Martin Shepherd after more Holmes trickery.


Poole: Elliot, Woodward, Spalding, Wright, Mundee, Homer, M. Morris, Mooney, Elmes, Killick, Benssaouda