Report: Poole Town 2-3 Yate Town - Southern S&W

MATCH WINNER:
Yate's Matt Groves

THERE was an element of fate about Poole Town’s imperious home run coming to an end against bogey side Yate Town.

The Dolphins juggernaut has kept driving into Hungerford’s lead at the top of the Southern South & West, but all of the statistics and circumstances seemed against Poole on a day where Matt Groves’ injury time winner for Yate seemed inevitable.

Poole’s run of six straight wins with clean sheets in their last four surpassed Yate’s unbeaten run of seven matches with five wins going into the clash, but the visitors’ form was all the more surprising after winning one and losing nine of the opening ten matches before that.

And with boss Tom Killick away, the hosts were soon light on the pitch as well, assistant boss James Wood having to use all three substitutions before the second half started after injuries to defender Sam Clarke, wing wizard Carl Preston and goal machine Warren Byerley.

But in truth, the Dolphins were off colour before that and always looked uncharacteristically vulnerable at the back. On a heavy pitch, the hosts lacked tempo while Yate worked hard and were swift on the break, making light of the difficult conditions.

The match ebbed and flowed with little punch in the final third until Yate took a 13^th minute lead with a goal that would give Killick nightmares had he seen it.

After Groves’ shot was blocked by the chest of Will Spetch, the Dolphins failed to regroup for the resultant corner with Tom Seery heading home unchallenged from close range.

Poole were laboured in their efforts to fight back, but the revelation that is Warren Byerley conjured up some magic and earned a slice of luck with the equaliser.

The former Weymouth front man cut inside and did well to work some space on the edge of the penalty area before hitting a tame, bobbling shot that was heading well wide until Luke Burbidge reacted first, bombing onto the loose ball to crash home the leveller.

Byerley kept battling away and a neat touch and turn two minutes later bought the savvy striker some space on the edge of the box again and this time he made no mistake, his looping shot was deflected past the helpless Josh Dempsey to hand the hosts the lead.

Yate were not done and smart link up play between Mitchell Page and Scott Wilson saw the latter curl an effort just wide of Nick Hutchings’ post, but Poole did not heed the warning and allowed their lead to slip a minute later.

Wilson drove into space down the left and swung the ball in to the far post where the onrushing Page carefully watched the ball and sent a sublime cushioned volley past the flailing Hutchings.

The Dolphins were forced into some desperate defending before the break with Keith Emmerson instrumental as Clarke and Preston struggled with knocks that ultimately ended their afternoon.

And worse was to follow and an innocuous clash between Byerley and Yate’s Tom Warren saw Poole’s best hope writhing in agony after landing awkwardly on his ankle.

All three were replaced and while Poole kept plugging away, they just didn’t look the same side after the break.

Steve Devlin almost caught Dempsey out with an audacious chip while Byerley’s replacement Michael Charles, who looked out of sorts, spurned two presentable chances.

Yate were still dangerous on the break despite looking tired in some areas as Groves constantly switched wings to prove a thorn in Poole’s side. He flashed a shot just wide with Hutchings rooted to the spot midway through the second half before Adam Kelly saw Warren head his effort off the line at the other end.

Groves skimmed the post for Yate while Marvin Brooks drew a full stretch save from Dempsey as both sides cautiously sought the winner.

But it was Yate who upset the form book with another lapse in concentration proving costly. Wilson’s deep ball from right to left caught the Dolphins’ defence napping and Groves had time to cushion his header back across Hutchings at the far post, leaving the host’s 13 match unbeaten league run at Tatnam in tatters.

It was not all bad news though as, whisper it carefully, arch rivals Wimborne did the Dolphins a favour by ending title rivals Swindon Supermarine’s winning run as well as top dogs Hungerford losing at Mangotsfield.

This was an off day, but a rare one. Poole did show their quality in patches and could still have snared victory had one of their second half chances been converted. The Dolphins are still hot favourites to win the Southern South & West and rightly so.

Yate will rightly savour this victory but a betting man would still back Poole to lift the ultimate prize come May.

*THE post match interview with the Bournemouth Echo was with striker Warren Byerley who discusses his future at Tatnam after spending time dual registered with Dorchester Town. 

POOLE TOWN: Hutchings, Clarke (Baines 39), Spetch, Emmerson, Walker, Howes, Burbidge, Devlin, Byerley (Charles h-t), Preston (Kelly h-t), Brooks. Unused sub: Dibba. 

Goals: Burbidge 22, Byerley 24.

YATE TOWN: Dempsey, Warren, Cox, Thomas, Seery, Bater (Sarr 90+1), Groves, Bryant, Page, Wilson, Wring (Purnell 74). Unused subs: Meaker, Barnes, Cousins.

Goals: Seery 13, Page 30, Groves 90+2.

STAR MAN: Matt Groves (Yate Town)

Poole’s momentum was often stifled by their own misfortune, but Yate’s outball to Groves on the wings were also a vital part of their victory. As his team mates around him tired, Groves played with zest and energy and carried the fight. Fitting that he snatched the winning goal. 

Report: Bashley 0-4 Poole Town - FA Trophy 1st Qual Rd replay

HAT-TRICK HERO:
Carl Preston

ANOTHER heavy Bashley defeat may have followed the loss of the opening goal, but this time it was as much about Carl Preston’s virtuoso performance for Poole Town as it was the host’s capitulation.

But that and the fact the losing margins are getting smaller will be scant consolation for the Bash faithful.

Shipping six against Hemel and five against Barwell was bad enough, but to lose so comprehensively to lower league opposition and local rivals will really stick in the throat for the New Forset outfit.

Again, this was a solid enough performance from Bash until they conceded, but once the Dolphins had their opener the host’s resistance quickly disintegrated.

That said there was plenty of force behind the gust that blew the house down as Preston’s hat-trick marked a fearsome return to form for the former AFC Bournemouth youngster.

A scrappy opening half an hour had little tempo with Bashley creating two half chances, Matt Finlay’s stretch was not enough to connect with a loose ball at the far post before James Stokoe’s cool control and smart turn was wasted with a tame finish.

In truth, though, Poole’s game plan worked effectively as they controlled the game with a quiet authority before a moment of magic ultimately decided the destiny of this tie.

Preston was alive to nip in behind Josh Casey and get to the byline in the 32^nd minute, working the perfect amount of space to curl the ball across Stuart Moore and find the bottom far corner.

Four minutes later, Preston almost added a second that would have rivalled Gareth Bale’s solo effort for Spurs in Milan two years ago – a mazy run from the half way line left Brad Strickland and Ian Richardson for dead but Moore raced off his line to smother the low effort.

Ragged Bashley soon conceded a second though with pacy Preston at the hub of the home side’s panic, darting down the left and crossing for Gary Middleton to scuff into his own net from the uncomfortable position of facing his own goal.

A slick move just after the hour provided the third with Adam Kelly and Karim Benssaouda zipping the ball around statues with Preston rounding Moore to coolly slot home.

Poole’s persistent predator earned a shot at his hat-trick nine minutes from time by further terrorising Richardson, drawing a handball from the former Totton stopper as he tried in vain to stop a cross from the left – Preston despatched the spot kick to Moore’s left with aplomb.

Ian Oliver and Pearce Farren entered the fray for Bashley and added some endeavour – the two substitutes combined for Farren to clip the frame of the goal late on, but that didn’t mask the problems facing Frank Gray at the moment.

He needs to pick his players up and fast – the goals are flying in at an alarming rate as soon as Bash concede. Poole, however, will be pleased to get through a tie they were so close to losing first time around – this was the type of form everyone expects from Tom Killick’s men and there would have been many Premier Division teams struggling to contain them on this kind of form.

BASHLEY: Moore, Smith, Casey, Strickland, Middleton (Oliver 70), I Richardson, Finlay, Hill, Stokoe (Farren 77), Jenkinson, Knight.

Unused subs: Gazzard, Vokes, Kearn (g/k).

POOLE TOWN: Hutchings, Baines, Spetch, Emmerson, Walker, Dibba (S Richardson 66), Burbidge, Devlin, S Brown (Benssaouda 50), Preston, Kelly (Wilson 79).

Unused subs: O’Donnell, T Brown (g/k). 

Goals: Preston 32, 61, 81(p), Middleton 42(og).

STAR MAN: Carl Preston (Poole Town)

It was always a matter of when rather than if Preston would find his form again as both Poole and their talented wideman have yet to hit top gear this season – until now. It is no coincidence that one of the Dolphins’ best displays this season came on a night when everything went right for their key man. Poole were imperious and unstoppable with one man taking them from stoic to sensational – Carl Preston.

Report: Poole Town 1-1 Bashley - FA Trophy 1st Qual Rd

LATE GOAL: Benssaouda

KARIM Benssaouda’s last ditch equaliser gave this FA Trophy tie an all too familiar finish as Poole Town rescued a replay with local rivals Bashley.

Bash suffered late heartache in the FA Cup, losing a 90^th minute goal to draw 1-1 with Gosport Borough three weeks ago before controversially losing the replay in the now famous ‘phantom goal’ incident.

And with Poole, who went into the game boasting a 100% home record, trailing their Southern Premier visitors by a single goal, there was an air of inevitability about the Dolphins’ leveller at the death.

Tatnam boss Tom Killick has readily admitted that his side have yet to sparkle this season, but have still ground out the necessary results, especially on home soil.

So despite their average-at-best showing in what was anything but a ding-dong derby, the draw was not surprising or undeserved.

The lower league hosts went into the clash as favourites with a three point lead at the top of the Southern South & West while Bashley sit second from bottom in the Premier Division, higher league status that just eluded Poole in the play-offs at the end of last season.

The Dolphins played with confidence and made the early running, but it was Bash who created the most presentable openings in a goalless first half.

The visitors felt they should have had a penalty on 16 minutes when debutant Andrew Jenkinson’s throughball was handled by Will Spetch, but referee Mark Lawrence infuriated Bash boss Frank Gray by awarding a free kick on the edge of the penalty area for an offence that both sides acknowledged was inside the box.

Charlie Knight was at the hub of Bashley’s attacks, providing the ammunition for James Stokoe to miss a sitter from five yards midway through the first half.

However, Bash were forced to defend in numbers and were often indebted to another new face, goalkeeper Stuart Moore, who caught several testing crosses under severe pressure from the host’s attack.

Benssaouda dispossessed Brad Strickland but shot across the face of goal before Carl Preston hit the post as Poole finish the first 45 with a flourish.

The interval, however, came at the wrong time for the Dolphins who failed to settle at all in the second half and Bashley took full advantage four minutes after the restart.

Giant defender Ian Richardson pressured Marvin Brooks into flicking a header towards his own goal from Josh Casey’s free kick and left ‘keeper Nick Hutchings stranded as the ball looped into the net.

Poole had their own penalty appeal waved away moments later when Gary Middleton appeared to wrestle Michael Walker to the ground, but Bash were in the ascendency and could have wrapped the tie up in the final fifteen minutes.

Firstly, an unmarked Knight headed Tom Hill’s cross over at the far post before Stokoe shot tamely into Hutchings’ arms when one-on-one with four minutes to go.

Those misses set up a grandstand finish with two efforts scrambled off the Bashley line in a goal mouth melee.

But the hosts were not to be denied as marauding full back Keith Emmerson burst from his own half to the edge of the penalty area, seeing his low shot well parried by the unfortunate Moore who could do nothing to stop Benssaouda’s rebound.

Both bosses had differing views on the performance levels at full time, which is unsurprising on current form. 

The draw was a fair result though, and it is back to Bashley Road on Tuesday night with the incentive of a winnable tie at home to Didcot Town for the victors.  

POOLE TOWN: Hutchings, Baines (S Brown 69), Spetch, Emmerson, Walker, S Richardson (Wilson 58), Kelly (Burbidge 77), Devlin, Benssaouda, Preston, Brooks. 

Unused subs: O’Donnell, T Brown (g/k).

Goal: Benssaouda 90. 

BASHLEY: Moore, Smith, Casey, Strickland, Middleton, I Richardson, Finlay (Oliver 80), Hill, Stokoe, Jenkinson, Knight. 

Unused subs: Gazzard, Farren, Vokes, Kearn (g/k).

Goal: Brooks(og) 49.

STAR MAN: Stuart Moore (Bashley)

In what was not the most inspiring of football matches, Moore withstood the pressure piled on by Poole's big hitters on an important afternoon between the sticks for the Reading youngster. Making his debut in the heat of a local derby, in an FA competition, is not easy for a young goalkeeper, but his bravery from the outset saw him command his area well. Despite Benssaouda taking the plaudits late on, Moore's impressive contribution should not be overlooked. 

Report: Poole Town 3-1 Beaconsfield SYCOB - FA Trophy Prel Rd replay

INFLUENTIAL: Taffy Richardson

SUBSTITUTES who make sure nothing happens can be as important as those who light the blue touch paper, but Poole Town had the luxury of both on Tuesday night, seeing off Beaconsfield SYCOB in the FA Trophy.

The pendulum swung back in the visitors’ favour when Anthony Page pulled a goal back after Carl Preston and Marvin Brooks had handed the Dolphins a two goal lead.

But savvy Tatnam boss Tom Killick had two aces up his sleeve, managing to stick then twist with a pair of well timed changes.

45-year-old Taffy Richardson entered the fray and duly snuffed out Beaconsfield’s momentum before Karim Lammali came off the bench, scoring a classy goal within three minutes of coming on to seal the tie.

It was no less than Poole deserved – they may have lacked a little punch before the first goal on the stroke of half time, but were the better side throughout other than a hairy ten minutes following Page’s strike.

Preston’s fierce drive cannoned off Craig Carby, looping over the crossbar inside the first five minutes before Brooks fired over from 18 yards after good work from Keith Emmerson.

Michael Walker flashed a header wide from Steve Devlin’s deep free kick while Beaconsfield looked threatening, breaking with pace but not testing Dolphins ‘keeper Nick Hutchings before the 40^th minute when Gavin James’ low shot had to be clawed away.

As the first half appeared to be petering into stalemate, Poole’s pressure finally paid off as Preston's cross from the right  evaded everyone in a busy penalty area but Devlin cut back with the ball bobbling through to Preston who drove into the net from close range.

Devlin turned provider again six minutes after the interval as the Dolphins doubled their lead – the Tatnam terrier’s corner was nodded down by Walker for Brooks to smash back across goal at the far post, finding Jonathan Nydell’s bottom right corner.

The lively Emmerson’s cross-shot flashed wide shortly after, but the visitors found their feet and scored following a goalmouth scramble on 56 minutes – Justin Clayton and Yiadom Yeboah made a nuisance of themselves to help Page bundle home from a corner.

Substitute Nathan Poulton was at the centre of Beaconsfield’s resurgence, setting Ryan Blake away but Will Spetch intervened with a last ditch slide tackle, and Poulton himself went close curling wide from 18 yards.

Cue Poole’s own super-sub as Richardson added bite and drive in midfield, shutting out a side that were starting to look relentless and Dorset’s answer to Stanley Matthews helped put a cap on the result, passing to Brooks to find Lammali with the enigmatic striker finishing deftly with the outside of his right boot.

The win sets up a tasty derby day in the First Qualifying Round with Poole facing local rivals and Southern Premier outfit Bashley. Based on Town’s tenacity at Tatnam so far this season, that home advantage could prove crucial.

*The Bournemouth Echo’s post match reaction with Poole boss Tom Killick can be found here.

POOLE TOWN: Hutchings, Baines, Spetch, Emmerson, Walker, Kelly (O’Donnell 90), Burbidge (Richardson 59), Devlin, S Brown (Lammali 75), Preston, Brooks.

Unused subs: Chudy, T Brown (g/k).

Goals: Preston 44, Brooks 51, Lammali 78.

BEACONSFIELD SYCOB: Nydell, James, Carby, Clayton, Yeboah, Lee, Upward, Page, James, Blake, Walters (Poulton 56).

Unused subs: Saroya, Jack.

Goal: Page 56.

STAR MAN: Taffy Richardson (Poole Town)

The hosts played well on the night with Keith Emmerson’s drive and determination standing out, but when the chips are down Tom Killick always turns to his old mucker. Reliable as ever, Richardson offered the strength and influence to turn the tide back in Poole’s favour. Taffy may not be getting any younger, but it doesn’t look like he needs to be. 

News: Table topping Killick wants Poole to play it again

PLAY IT AGAIN: Killick

TABLE topping Poole Town boss Tom Killick would wipe away the Dolphins’ strong start to the season to have another bite at the FA Cup cherry.

With his side leading the Southern League South and West table with four wins and a draw from their five games, Killick amazingly said this week that he would play all the games again in an effort to win the league match at Taunton and the FA Cup match at Yate Town which Poole lost 5-0.

The defeat left Killick’s charges kicking their heels this weekend prior to a trip to Beaconsfield SYCOB in the FA Trophy and the ultra-competitive Tatnam chief would turn back the clock if he could to seek a perfect record.

When asked if he would restart the season given the option, Killick told theonionsack: “Yeah, I think so, we’d have another good crack at the FA Cup and the points we dropped at Taunton.

“I would love to still be in the FA Cup, I know that’s a little bit picky but the Cup is so important financially and it gives us a weekend where we have no game, nothing to be involved in.

“The Cup for players and teams at our level is brilliant and going out was a huge disappointment and there is no point pretending otherwise but it is done now and our league form is very strong so that partially makes up for it at least.”

Report: Poole Tn 2-0 Clevedon Tn - Southern League S&W

AT THE DOUBLE:
Marvin Brooks

MARVIN Brooks’ double spared Poole Town’s blushes on the opening day of the season as the off colour Dolphins overcame Clevedon Town.

With Tom Killick’s men struggling to find rhythm and arguing amongst themselves during the first half, Brooks popped up to kickstart their campaign with a bullet header from Steve Devlin’s corner ten minutes before the break.

Poole’s midfield maestro added the second on the hour from another set piece – Devlin’s flagkick found Lamin Dibba, whose header was blocked, and Brooks bombed onto the rebound, smashing the ball home on the half volley from 20 yards.

Clevedon will rue their defensive lapses on a day where their effort and endeavour ruffled a few feathers at Tatnam Road, and while the Dolphins backline remained solid, the lively visiting front pair of Adam Mahdi and Joe Flurry caused plenty of concern.

Mahdi’s fizzing drive which drifted wide was the best opening in the first half an hour and as the pressure grew for the home side, Sam Clarke had to be on his toes to cover his centre halves with vital challenges more than once.

Brooks’ goal settled a few nerves and Devlin almost added a second before half time, rattling the crossbar with a fierce free kick that his jinking run had won. Devlin again went close right on the whistle, bursting down the left and seeing his shot skim across the face of goal.

Despite leading at the interval, a few harsh words were dished out in the home dressing room and Poole were livelier after the break, but still lived dangerously at the back.

The second goal calmed the contest down, but Clevedon had their chances – the goal seemed to open up for Adi Adams, but Will Spetch blocked his shot, while substitute Reeko Best should have headed Alex Russell’s dinked cross home to pull one back, but the ball bobbled wide.

In the end, Poole showed enough quality without hitting the heights of last season – they will need to play better to justify their title favourites tag, but the sign of a good side is one that wins without the wizardry.

*Dolphins boss Tom Killick's post match thoughts with the Bournemouth Echo can be found here.

POOLE TOWN: Hutchings, Clarke, Spetch, Dibba, M Walker, Howes (Richardson 72), Burbidge, Devlin, Chudy (Price 58), Preston, Brooks (Sturgess 78).

Unused subs: O’Donnell, Beasley.

GOALS: Brooks 35, 60.

CLEVEDON TOWN: Matthews, King, Robbins, Fisher (Ricketts 58), J Walker, Murray, Russell, Adams, Flurry (Moss 73), Mahdi (Best 58), McKenna.

Unused subs: Hussain, Bell.

STAR MAN: Marvin Brooks (Poole Town)

Close call between Brooks and Devlin, but the goals edge it for the youngster – none of the Dolphins played as well as they are capable of on the day, but the midfield duo ran themselves into the ground for the cause and played a vital role in breaking the play up when Clevedon started well. 

Report: Poole Tn 1-1 Salisbury City - Pre-season friendly

TRIALIST: Steve Brown

POOLE Town showed good character to fight back from a torrent of first half pressure, dominating the second half to draw 1-1 with Salisbury City of the Conference South.

City ran Tom Killick’s men ragged but only had Jamie White’s penalty to show for their dominance at the break, and the Dolphins took advantage after the interval with a more vibrant display following Lamin Dibba’s equaliser but couldn’t find a way to beat their higher ranked visitors.

City took a deserved lead on 16 minutes – as Dan Fitchett’s low throughball came into the area, Theo Lewis went down as he ran across Michael Walker with new signing White coolly slotting home the resultant spot kick to Nick Hutchings’ left.

The hosts lost their way, conceding possession with rushed passes while poor positioning left the back four looking disjointed. 

Cameron Hough’s shot fly high and wide after a slick build up and White wasted a glorious chance after bursting in one on one, but prodded his shot wide with the goal at his mercy.

Poole finally settled as the half went on but created little, and Chris McPhee joined the list of Salisbury players who should have doubled their lead on the stroke of half time, bursting through to catch Dibba in possession, but skewing his finish high and wide under pressure from Sam Clarke.

The Dolphins made several changes at the break, while City only made two, but it was Poole who hit the ground running, equalising within two minutes. Substitute ‘keeper Mark Scott parried Walker's powerful far post header, but Dibba was on hand to net the rebound.

Influential midfielder Steve Devlin was at the hub of Poole’s resurgence, pinging balls from left to right, creating space and stretching the Salisbury backline.

Devlin himself had a shot well clawed away by Scott on 69 minutes while Lewis and Stuart Sinclair might have done better at the other end with half chances.

As the action subsided thanks to tired legs, Spetch had to aware to cut off the supply to Garyn Breen late on, ensuring that Poole got the creditable draw that their second half composure and pressure deserved.

The only new face on the night for the Dolphins was Alton Town forward Steve Brown, who has also starred in defence for the Wessex League side. 

Boss Tom Killick said that Brown had impressed, but taking another look at him may prove difficult with Alton's season kicking off this weekend. Killick added that he is happy with his current crop of strikers but didn't rule out the prospect of new faces.

TEAM NEWS

POOLE TOWN: Hutchings, Clarke (O’Donnell 46), Spetch, Dibba, Walker (Brooks 46), Howes (Tickle 62), Burbidge (Beesley 62), Richardson (Devlin 46), Lamalli (Brown 46), Preston (Chudy 46), Sturgess.

Goal: Dibba 47.

SALISBURY CITY: Puddy (Scott 46), Udoji, Hart (Bowman 46), McPhee, Dutton, Matthews (Baggridge 48), Hough (Clark 55), Sinclair, White (Breen 68), Fitchett (Bowerman 55), Lewis.

Goal: White 16(p).

News: Four new faces, but Poole boss Killick is fuming

FOUR SIGN: But Killick wasn't happy.

Poole Town boss Tom Killick revealed four new signings after his side’s 4-3 friendly win over Christchurch this weekend, but blasted his players for a lack of focus in the game itself.

Diminutive forward Alex Baldacchino joins on dual registration terms, while Luke Burbidge joins from Hamworthy United and 18-year old right back Jordan O’Donnell joins from Salisbury City. The re-signing of Karim Lamalli completes the quartet.

Baldacchino spent the closing months of last season at Tatnam Road after notching 28 league goals in 35 games for Wessex League strugglers New Milton Town while also being signed for Havant and Waterlooville in the Conference South.

Killick said: “Alex joins us on the basis that if Havant & Waterlooville require him, then that’s Conference South football and he would have to give that priority, and I understand that.

BALDACCHINO: Dual registered

“Effectively it will be the same arrangement he had for most of last year with New Milton, but hopefully he will feature regularly for us until such time he is called on by Havant.”

Burbidge signs after a 22 goal Wessex League haul with Hamworthy United last season while O’Donnell has featured for youth teams at Portsmouth and Eastleigh as well as Salisbury.

Other trailists include Lee Chudy – the striker scored twice in the second 45 minutes on Saturday after netting 11 times in 15 leagueappearances for Hamworthy last season. Goalkeeper Michael Weatherall, who comes from the same youth side as O’Donnell, featured, as well as Bournemouth Poppies wing wizard Fawzi Saadi.

Though even after the influx of players, Killick admitted he was still looking to strengthen his frontline before the season starts with Clevedon Town at home on August 18^th.

“We were a little bit low on numbers but we’re gradually building it up – we are still short in a couple of areas but a one or two things might be happening this week.”

“We have got some good options up front. Alex Baldacchino is a very good player, Karim has got huge ability, Lee Chudy has shown up very well – I’ve got to have a word with Lee but I’m hopeful we’ll sort something out.

“We’ve got Luke Burbidge who can play out wide as well, but I probably want to bring someone in who has played at a higher level to give us a real focal point.

“It’s difficult because those types of players are in very short supply, which we’ve already found to our cost over the summer, but we’ll endeavour to bring someone of that calibre in over the next few weeks if we can.”

As for the game, Killick was less than impressed as Graham Kemp’s plucky Christchurch side took the lead three times. Chudy’s brace eventually sealed victory for the hosts, but couldn’t prevent the side receiving a tongue lashing from their boss.

“It was a disappointing day for us, we were awful, it’s the worst we’ve been. We were sloppy, lazy and careless, just a really below par performance – the goals we let in were laughable really.

“Our attitude was all wrong today – we had Yeovil Tuesday, Eastleigh Thursday and then Christchurch, and the players approached it in completely the wrong manner, you could see that in the performance. It was unacceptable.

“The difficulty is I know we’ll be better in our next game against AFC Bournemouth because the players will like playing in that game, but your attitude has to be right week in week out, you can’t just pick and choose and perform in the big games.

“All of them disappointed me, and apart from two or three of the younger lads, none of them came out with any credit.

“It was a disastrous performance from our point of view – with all due respect to Christchurch we should be controlling the game from start to finish and winning it convincingly, so we’re upset about that and I hope the players are upset – we’ve got to knuckle down with our training this week.

“We have Bournemouth and Salisbury next, but for me Parley is our next test because I want to see what our attitude is like in that game.

“Are we just going to turn up and stroll about like we did against Christchurch? We won’t accept that again, so Parley is a game I’m looking forward to see how the players react and see what we’re made of that day. Attitude is the be all and end all and that’s what we’re going to look at.”

News: Hamworthy United boss Simon Browne faces rebuild

HAMMERED: Five players leave United

HAMWORTHY United boss Simon Browne insists the door remains open for players trialling with higher ranked clubs this summer, but the Hammers chief is bracing himself for a rebuilding job at the County Ground.

Defender Greg Horlock and goalscoring midfielder Sam Lanahan will attempt to make a three division jump to Dorchester Town in the Conference South, while last season’s 22 goal top scorer Luke Burbidge trials with Southern League rivals Poole Town and Will Robinson seems set for Wimborne Town.

It leaves Browne with the daunting prospect of reconstructing a side that challenged towards the top end of the Wessex League last season, finishing 7^th despite a run of poor results in the middle of the campaign.

Browne told theonionsack: “There are players who have gone to higher clubs and I always said to the players that I would never have a problem with them going and trying to better themselves.

“What I have said to them all is if things don’t work out where they’re intending to go this season, they can come back and hopefully enjoy their football here again.

“There is an opportunity for some new faces this season though – I’ve been busy on the phone talking to lots of people and if the guys don’t come back or are looking elsewhere then there are some opportunities for people to come and play for Hamworthy.”

The Hammers kicked their pre-season schedule off with a 1-1 draw against a youthful Salisbury City side last week before losing 2-0 to Wimborne Town on Saturday, and Browne said that there were encouraging signs from his new look side.

“There were a couple of good performances there but I don’t want to say too much about players yet – I want to look at them over the next two or three games and from there I’ll start making a list of lads who are capable of playing at our level.

“There were a couple of players that showed up quite well and I’ll keep an eye on the training and hopefully they’ll step up for us.”

Browne confirmed that Steve Whitcher had left the club, joining league rivals New Milton Town, but experienced Hammer Mike White, who will also help Wareham out in the Dorset League, has also re-signed with United. 

News: Poole Town boss Killick disappointed by four game ban

FOUR MATCH BAN: Tom Killick

POOLE Town boss Tom Killick said he was "disappointed" after being handed a four match touchline ban to start the 2012-13 season.


The FA banned Killick at a non-personal hearing last month after he criticised the performance of the referee following the Dolphins' 1-0 win at Tiverton Town in April.


The suspension that will include Poole's trip to Yate Town in the FA Cup Preliminary Round as well as their start to the league campaign.


Killick, who admitted the charge, was found to have breached Rule E3 - insulting words to a Match Official, but insisted that the punishment was over the top.


"I am disappointed because I went to the referee at the end of the game, shook him by the hand and said 'I thought you had a terrible game today'. I was calm and it was not said in an aggressive way. He said 'I'm reporting you for that'.


"I thought that if you were allowed to praise the referee, then you can criticise as long as it is in an appropriate manner, but it would appear that you're not allowed to do that. 


"You learn from it - if I don't think the referee has done well in future I won't be able to say anything at all - it's a bit strange.


"Shouting, swearing and being aggressive is clearly unacceptable, but every week I see other managers do what I did and 99 times out of 100 nothing is done, but some referees must be more sensitive than others."


Killick was also fined £75 on top of the touchline sanction.