The home game against Lymington Town was postponed due to waterlogged pitch. To be rearranged.

Boxing Day saw Poole Town take the short trip across the bridge to take on local rivals Hamworthy at the County Ground. A superb crowd of 302 turned out for the game.

This was to be a second consecutive disappointment for the Dolphins as yet again they put in a very good performance and got no reward for it. For the majority of this game they completely played Hamworthy off the pitch and the difference in class in terms of footballing ability was huge a times. Whilst Poole passed the ball very well and dominated possession it was again a lack of composure in front of goal and a bad five minutes which cost them yet another three points.

The first half was one way traffic as Poole controlled the game right across the pitch. On 8 minutes Jamie Moores did well down the right and his cross was met well by Trefor Smith but his header was tipped wide for a corner. On 19 minutes Benssaouda twisted and turned in the Hamworthy box before firing a shot which was palmed away by the keeper.

Whilst Poole controlled the half (yet again Ian Richardson and Aaron Skelton looked superb) it was again the killer pass in the final third that was missing.

Half time: 0-0.

Chris Smith replaced a hobbling Fawzi Saadi on 53 minutes and within a five minute period Poole found themselves two goals down. On 56 minutes a deflected ball fell to a Hamworthy substitute and he clipped a left foot shot past Frampton to put the Hammers one up. And five minutes later a free kick into the Poole box saw a Poole defender miss a header and Walker was on hand to head home into the far corner.

Hogan replaced a disappointed Moores on 65 minutes and Poole pulled a goal back three minutes later. Skelton clipped a nice ball into Benssaouda and he produced a neat flick and turn before placing the ball into the bottom left hand corner of the net. Unfortunately this match saw both sides of Benssaouda's play. Whilst his goal was sublime and deadly, all too often the rest of his play saw him shooting from too far out or trying to beat eight players every time he got the ball. Time and again he would dribble past three players only to resist the shot, drag the ball back and try and beat them all again. So frustrating and just one look at Trefor Smith who knows when to take players on and when to play the simple pass would surely help his game?

With time running out Poole threw everything at Hamworthy. On 82 minutes Sean Hogan produced a great cross from the left, Dan Cann hit a shot and enroute to the goal Glenister got his chest to the ball. The Hamworthy keeper did really well to readjust and make a very good save. Three minutes later and Trefor Smith took a quick freekick and sent Hogan away down the right. He produced the cross of the match which Glenister somehow managed to miss with his head and Benssaouda after controlling the ball contrived to volley the ball over the bar when finding the back of the net looked easier.

Two games in four days for Poole. The opposition have created no more then five chances and scored 3 goals while Poole have created about 30 and scored just one. No points from all that effort and overall quality must be driving Tommy Killick mad!

Poole: Frampton, Whitley, Gilbert (Glenister), I. Richardson, Cann, Moores (Hogan), Skelton, Saadi (C. Smith), T. Smith, Benssaouda, Middleton

A third consecutive home game for Poole Town as they took on fourth placed Fareham Town at Tatnam. After the superb 4-3 win at Fareham earlier in the season this was always set up to be a cracking game. Tom Roberts made only his second start for Poole, although Taffy Richardson (injured) and Gary Funnell (holiday) were both absent.

There was a good positive feel about the game right from the start as both teams are in good form and playing goo football. On 6 minutes Fareham had the first chance - two Poole players went for the ball and after getting in each other's way the ball rolled to a Fareham player but his shot was superbly saved by the legs of Frampton in the Poole goal.

On 14 minutes a great ball in from the left saw Hogan nick the ball away from the keeper and his cut back found Jamie Moores but his fierce shot was well blocked by a defender. Fareham now put a good bit of pressure together and on 20 minutes a ball to the back post found a Fareham player unmarked but his header went sailing over the bar.

As the play ebbed and flowed back came Poole. On 28 minutes Poole produced some good passing on the left and eventually Dan Cann swung in a great ball which Benssaouda couldn't quite get on the end of. The crucial goal came on 33 minutes for Fareham. A good counter attack saw them get plenty of bodies forward and the ball found it's way to Jamie Laidlaw who cracked home from just inside the box.

A pretty even first half with Laidlaw's goal being the difference.

Half time: 0-1.

With Fareham looking to defend their lead Poole came out and stepped up a gear in the second half. On 52 minutes Dan Cann produced a good powerful run through the centre. He eventually passed the ball out wide to Moores on the left but although his cross was blocked, Cann picked up the loose ball and fired just over. Two minutes later and another Poole chance went begging. Trefor Smith did well and fed the ball to Saadi running into the box. Instead of shooting first time he waited and when the shot eventually came it flew high over the bar.

Fareham were well under pressure for the entire second half and on 59 minutes they nearly gifted Poole the equaliser. A suicidal ball across his back line from the number 2 saw Moores intercept. He raced away and skipped past the last defender only to blast his left foot shot wide of the post.

On 62 minutes appeals for a penalty when Benssaouda went down in the box were waved away and five minutes later Ian Richardson, not for the first time) surged forward on a brilliant run down the left. After a good one-two on the edge of the box his left foot shot flew past the Fareham keeper but cannoned back off the underside of the bar and was cleared away. On 72 minutes a Skelton freekick narrowly went over the bar and shot after shot followed as Poole surged forward looking for the equaliser.

On 82 minutes another Poole shot was blocked and substitute Carl Chivers looked as though he would score from the rebound but the ball seemed to get stuck under his feet.

Fareham eventually managed to see out the game to earn three important points. Tommy Killick can take a lot of positives from the game however as Poole put in one of their best performances for quite a while. Skelton, Trefor Smith and and Ian Richardson all stood out with excellent performances.

Given the fact that Fareham had three chances in the match and Poole created about twenty nobody could have complained if Poole had won this by four or five goals. However, this was just one of those days when the ball simply wouldn't go in. Great entertainment for the 161 crowd though. 

Poole: Frampton, Whitley, Roberts (Chivers), I. Richardson, Cann, Hogan (Glenister), Skelton (Sturgess), Saadi, T. Smith, Benssaouda, Moores

Match report -- from the smoking pen (Ian Claxton)

This match will be more memorable for the things that happen ‘off’ the pitch rather than on it. Mr Laishley set his stall out early and indicated that he would be applying the regulations to the letter, and after about 10 minutes broadened his authority to include the encroachment of the Echo photographer who had strayed under the barrier and moved closer to the touchline to get his shots with his huge lens. When the ref ordered him behind the barrier, the man with the camera took offence and stomped off. He probably had another game to cover over at Borough or somewhere but he was not a happy chap.

On the further extremities of the touchline, the two coaches, Tom Killick and Andy Leader were in fine voice and their wry comments kept the inhabitants of the stand highly amused. It was touch and go as to who was going to bust a blood vessel first and I think the Christchurch bench had the edge. It would also be the coach’s last match for the Hurn side if the info is true that he’s off to Lymington & New Milton to team up with Ian Robnison and to rescue the Linnets from their disastrous slump of late culminating in a 6-1 demolition by Winchester City at Fawcett Fields on Wednesday night. Trefor and Chris’ brother Pete plays for Winchester and he got one of the goals and set up another.

On the pitch though a game of football was in progress and on the whole the Dolphins deserved the victory and the three points in a very hard fought ‘local’ derby. Steve ‘Taffy’ Richardson started the match, but with his first touch of the ball, aggravated the thigh injury he sustained last week against the Poppies and was immediately replaced by Sean Hogan.

Playing with four across the back, Poole were solid again in defence and Christchurch had little success in getting at the Town goal. However the same was true at the other end and for the first half a midfield scrap ensured with neither side gaining the upper hand.

After 20 minutes Christchurch gained a free kick which was sent into a crowded area the ball was toe-poked towards Poole’s goal and had Big Max at full stretch to save it. On 25 minutes Alpha Diallo, our recently departed prospect made his appearance for the Hurn men replacing the injured Tom Price, but he appeared in a shirt with the wrong number on it. Mr Laishley again applied the letter of the law and had Alpha run all the way off the pitch again to swap his 15 shirt for the correct number 17.

Poole’s best chance of the early period came from a good combination between Saadi, Funnell and Neville, had spread the visitors defence, Funnell’s eventual cross set Middleton up in front of goal for an easy chance, but he mis-queued his shot entirely and the chance slipped away.

Just after the half hour The yellow cards started to flash with Crutchley, Burt and Dand all going in the book for the visitors within 5 minutes, mostly for persistent heavy tackling. Poole took advantage and began to put some pressure on the visitors goal as the half ground on. Hogan streaked down the wing on 36 minutes to deliver a high ball for Middleton to head on into Funnell’s path as he moved in on goal, but the shot went high and over and another cross from Hogan 6 minutes later was met by the charging Glenister, who head just wide of the goal. However he clattered into a Christchurch defender in the process and was promptly booked. The half ended with a bit of a flurry which started when Big Max misjudged his jump for a high cross from Callum Burt and the ball slipped from his fingers. An alert Hogan smashed the ball clear as the visitors moved to pounce on the loose ball. Cann picked up the shot and tore off towards the other end with players of both side in pursuit . He tried a cross to Middleton, who had gained the visitors near post first, but Middleton soon found his way sealed off so returned the ball to Cann, who returned it low and hard across the face of goal but neither Glenister or Trefor Smith could stretch their boots enough for the tap in as it whipped by the far post.

Christchurch immediately cleared up field and caught Poole by surprise. A Christchurch striker had the ball lined up with just Max to beat and then completely aired his kick and fell over. Trefor Smith was the quickest back to help out and cleared the danger only to be scythed down by the embarrassed striker as the whistle for the break was blown. Half –Time 0-0.

The second half brought Jamie Moores into the Poole line up for Fawzi Saadi, and the melee continued. Funnell was carded on 53 minutes and when the subsequent free kick was sent into the Poole area, Cann’s defensive header had Frampton scrambling to save an own goal . Tom decided on a change of tactics to break down the visitors stubborn defence and sacrificed Neville at the back to bring on Karim Benssaouda up front, to general approval from the fans. Within two minutes the popular striker did the business when he ran in to get his head on Cann’s curling free kick, and the ensured the ball slammed into the net for the lead with 61 minutes on the clock.

Middleton had the chace to make it two , a minute later, when a high ball saw him through on goal with just Bayliss to beat, but his shot was just wide. At the back, it took a few minutes for Tom to get his three man defence sorted to his liking but once settled, with skipper Whitely flanked by Hogan and Richardson, the door was firmly shut and Poole concentrated on sealing the game. Smith had a shot which skimmed the bar after Middleton and Funnell had combined to set him up on 75 mins and a couple of minutes later, Glenister spun and fired, forcing Bayliss into a fine save after a perfectly placed free kick from Cann had landed at Glenny’s feet.

Christchurch fought on until the end, urged on by the evermore animated Andy Leader and forced Frampton into snatching crosses out of the air before they could cause problems on a couple of occasions. Middleton and Benssaouda picked up a yellow apiece for ‘comments’ to the ref and Poole had a good shout for a penalty in the last minute. Karim picked up a long ball from Funnell out wide, and then having gained ground, crossed to Trefor Smith was cut down before he could get a shot off. Karim pounced on the loose ball as the appeals went up and pulled the trigger only to see his shot cleared off the line for a corner just as the clock ran out.

Poole Town :- 13. Max Frampton 2.Danny Neville (Sub 15. Karim Benssaouda(1)(Y) 58 mins) 3. Steve Richardson. ( Sub: 12. Sean Hogan 2 mins). 4. Luke Whitley (Capt) 5. Ian Richardson 6. Fawzi Saadi ( Sub: 16. Jamie Moores 46 mins) 7. Gary Funnell.(Y) 8. Keith Middleton (Y) 9. Trefor Smith 10. Richard Glenister (Y) 11. Dan Cann
Subs not used: 17.Dave Sturgess, 14.Ross Edwards

Christchurch : 1. Andy Bayliss 2. Colin Dand (Y) 3. Marc Jackson 4. Shaun Brian 5. Dan Crutchley(Y) 6. Lloyd Jenvey(C) ( Sub Billy Pluckett 65 mins) 7. Callum Burt (Y) 8. Adam George 9. Tom Price ( Sub 17. Alpha Diallo 25mins (Sub 14.Dave Roberts (Y) 78 mins) ) 10. Dan Robins 11. Lewis Still
Subs not used 12. Simon Atkins 16. Martin Lawrence.

There is a new book available called 'History of Poole Town Football Club' by John Powell.

It is an A4 sized book and costs just £8 (plus postage if required).

Copies are available from the bar at the ground or from Chris Reeves.
Alternatively contact me here.

The home game against Wimborne Town set for Saturday 13th January has now been changed to Saturday March 24th.

Merchandise News

We now have new top quality key fobs and scarves available for purchase - details here.

Poole Town took on Bournemouth Poppies for the third time this season as the two sides clashed in the return league fixture at Tatnam.
Still no Sean Hogan (failed fitness test) meant that Trefor Smith had to again take on the right wing back role.

This was an excellent match with both sides playing positive football and looking for the win. Whilst there wasn't a huge number of clear cut chances there was a good flow to the game with plenty of end-to-end action.

The first chance fell to Poppies. With eight minutes on the clock a good cross from the right was met by Phillips but his header went wide of the Poole post. Three minutes later and Poole had a better chance. The ever improving Saadi provided a great ball from left to right to put Funnell through and as Poppies keeper Harvell came out of his goal Funnell chipped him but the ball dropped over the top of the bar.

Poole produced the move of the match on 16 minutes. A patient build-up from the defence through midfield saw many passes strung together. Eventually the ball came out to Trefor Smith and he did well before setting up Saadi for a left foot shot which flashed just wide of the post. Encouraging football.

On 26 minutes Poppies looked to have scored. There was an almighty scramble in the Poole six yard box and twice the ball was cleared off the line, the eventual clearance coming from Ian Richardson. The action swung back the other way and on 31 minutes Dan Cann had a shot which took a wicked deflection off a defender and dropped straight into the keeper's hands - a let off for Poppies. It was Cann again however just four minutes later who scored what would be the decisive goal. Another good move from Poole saw the ball worked well from right to left. Funnell and Saadi were involved and when the ball came to Cann in space his left foot shot had enough power to find the net despite Harvell getting a hand to it. 1-0.

Still Poppies kept pressing and on 42 minutes Frampton raced out 25 yards (needlessly?) and brought down a Poppies player. It probably wasn't a red card offence as arguably other defenders had got back but keepers have been sent off for this before. Frampton received a yellow card.

Poole should have doubled their lead on the stroke of half time. The Poppies defence stepped up except for the right back and as the ball was played through the centre Glenister raced away unchallenged - the only appealing for offside was the number 2 who was playing him on by miles! Instead of shooting Glenister attempted to take the ball around Harvell but the big keeper did well to claim the ball off his feet.

Half time: 1-0.

Chris Smith replaced an injured Taffy Richardson five minutes into the second half and Benssaouda came on for Glenister on 63 minutes. On 73 minutes Fawzi Saadi curled a good freekick around the wall and just over the corner of bar and post. On 90 minutes a Cann cross was mis-headed by Benssaouda but the ball fell to Saadi and his shot cannoned back off the underside of the Poppies bar before being cleared.

Deep into injury time Poppies got a corner on the left. Keeper Harvell trotted up for it and after Dibba had got the flick on the ball dropped to Harvell and he thundered a volley at goal which was well blocked on the line and cleared.

Much of the second half saw Poole under the cosh as Poppies enjoyed by far the greater possession and territory. It is a credit to the Poole defence however that the visitors never really looked like scoring. The Poole defence were superb - well organised, strong in the tackle and were ably assisted by the midfield getting back. It's not that often that the Poole team get put under sustained pressure so it was good to see the defence tested and for them to come through it so well.

Three good points and a league double over Poppies - a good day.

Poole: Frampton, Whitley, I. Richardson, S. Richardson (C.Smith), Skelton, T. Smith, Funnell, Saadi, Cann, Glenister (Benssaouda), Middleton (Neville)

Poole Town will be at home to Portland United in the Dorset Senior Cup Quarter Final. Match scheduled for 3rd January 2007.

Despite the heavy rain in the week leading up to the match, the pitch at Alton had stood up to it pretty well and although the pitch was heavy and fairly bumpy, the game started as expected. Ian Richardson made his welcome return to league action for Poole and Keith Middleton started up front alongside Richard Glenister.

Poole started the match brightly and goals always looked on the cards for both sides - it was a pretty open game. On 3 minutes Funnell combined well with Taffy Richardson on the edge of the box and Funnell's final shot flew past the keeper but cannoned back off the left hand post. Two minutes later and a Dan Cann corner picked out Taffy Richardson at the far post but his header could only find the side netting.

A minute later and Poole got the deserved lead. Another Cann corner this time found the head of Middleton and the ball managed to squirm through a clutch of players and over the line. Poole continued to pile on the pressure and two minutes later Taffy had another shot which beat the keeper but was cleared off the line by a well positioned defender.

Despite being totally in control a Poole error led to an Alton equaliser on 13 minutes. Danny Neville made a mistake and an Alton striker broke clear to run in towards goal. His attempted cross was totally miskicked and the ball cannoned in off the near post with Frampton left stranded.

Although a setback Poole kept playing in the tricky conditions and chances continued to flow. On 20 minutes a ball was played into Glenister (who led the line superbly all game) and he held it up before putting Cann through on goal. His shot fell just wide of the right hand post however. Two minutes later and Cann turned provider as he played a ball to Funnell. With time on his side the midfielder controlled the ball, looked up and chipped the keeper but again the woodwork was to deny him - this time the right hand post. It took just another minute for Poole to regain the lead. Trefor Smith did really well cutting into the box and his shot was touched on into the corner of the net by Glenister.

It got better for Glenister on 31 minutes when he doubled his tally and gave Poole a 3-1 lead. Again he received the ball with his back to goal, turned well and curled the ball around the keeper. Although the ball came back of the post it hit the keeper on it's way out and rebounded again into the net.

Half time: 1-3.

Alton certainly seemed to have more steel about them as the second half kicked off. On 49 minutes some more great work from Glenister saw him pass to Funnell but just as he was about to shoot the ball bobbled and the shot was wide. A big clearance from the keeper saw Whitley slip on the greasy surface and an Alton player lobbed Frampton only to see the ball drop over the top of the bar. A minute later and Alton broke through again and this time Whitley did exceptionally well to somehow clear the ball off the goal line.

If Alton sensed a chance to get back into the match then Middleton ended it on 54 minutes. A Poole freekick on the right was half headed out and Middleton controlled it before drilling the ball home through a bunch of players in the box. 1-4.

On 63 minutes Frampton did well to turn a shot just round the post for a corner. but on 73 minutes he had no chance when an Alton freekick right on the edge of the box was superbly struck into the top right corner of the net.

Benssaouda and Chris Smith replaced Glenister and Middleton respectively and still Poole pressed for a fifth goal. The best move of the match came on 82 minutes - Trefor Smith again brilliantly cut in and rolled the ball square to Funnell. Once again he took one touch before firing in an unstoppable shot and for the third time in the match Funnell's shot came back off the post.

Still Alton were not finished and to their credit they kept coming forward at Poole. On 83 minutes Frampton had to make another good save low down and three minutes later a header from a corner beat Frampton but was cleared off the line by Trefor Smith.

Poole: Frampton, Whitley, I. Richardson, Neville, Funnell (Saadi), Skelton, S. Richardson, T. Smith, Glenister (Benssaouda), Middleton (C. Smith), Cann