Poole Borough Football Club
Season 2001/02

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Borough were again missing a number of first choice players for their visit to Sturminster but in an even game the sides were separated by a second half goal which came from a speculative shot which held up in the wind before dropping over Burton's head and into the net.

It was always going to prove difficult for the Borough front line, missing the height of Kieron Wall, to find a way through against a tall, strong home defence who dealt well with any through balls being knocked forward to from mid-field for Wishy and Scott Smith to run on to. So it proved as Borough went a second game without scoring.

Lymington & New Milton 3,
Poole Borough 0.
Tuesday 7th August 2001

With their scheduled first team friendly against Salisbury cancelled, Lymington fielded a large number of first team players in their line up against Borough, and although delivering our first close season defeat, Pete Morrell was happy that the players were provided with a stern test.

The home side opened the scoring inside 5 minutes with a harsh penalty decision against Gary Fooks and another of their goals was also from the spot after Tommy Heffernan brought down an Lymington player in the box. The scorers for Lymington were Leigh Phillips 2 and Metcalf.

This game has provided Borough with their toughest match of the close season against last seasons Wessex League runners-up but it has provided Pete with a good test of the ability of this seasons squad.

Holt United (1) 2,
Poole Borough (1) 4.
Saturday 4th August 2001
Scorers : Hebdon 24, Aldous 63, G.Fooks 69, A.Fooks 74.

Borough cruised to victory against last seasons Division 1 Champions with a good display of passing football played, not surprisingly with a competitive edge. The first period was played out mainly in mid-field, with Borough utilising the wings and looking for the head of Kieron Wall.

It was Sean Hebdon who gave Borough the lead on 24 minutes, after Wall knocked the ball into his path and his shot, although deflected, managed to creep just inside the post as the defender running back failed to clear. Borough keeper Stewart Mackenzie made a great save at full stretch on the half-hour, but three minutes later he failed to hold another shot and a Holt forward nipped in to convert the rebound.

Borough took control of the second period, with Ben Aldous and Matt Bircumshaw looking particularly impressive in mid-field, whilst Hebdon and Tommy Heffernan had things under control at the back. Aldous increased the score on 63 minutes with a powerful free kick whipped in from the left which Wall failed to get a head to, but the ball sneaked just inside the far post.

Gary Fooks increased the lead further on 69 minutes converting from inside the box after Scott Smith broke the offside trap on the right and sent in a perfect low cross. Bircumshaw was unfortunate when he hit the post with a well struck shot, but Alan Fooks made it four 15 minutes from time, tapping in a right wing cross from son Gary.

Holt pulled a goal back 10 minutes from time courtesy of ex-Hornet, Mike Satterley but this did not take the shine off of a well controlled Borough performance.

Borough : Stewart Mackenzie (Dan Burton 46), Kieron Wall (Scottt Smith 66), Chris Morgan (Ben Aldous 46), Craig Shanley, Tommy Heffernan, Sean Hebdon, Alex Gunn (Dan Cockwell 30), Matt Bircumshaw, Scott Smith (Alan Fooks 46), Andy Coles, Gary Fooks.

Brockenhurst (0) 2,
Poole Borough (0) 2.
Thursday 19th July 2001
Scorers : Alan Fooks 55, Nashad Mohangee 85

A good game with Borough looking quite sharp considering they had only completed a couple of weeks training and with at least 5 players missing.

The good news at the start of the match was that Kieran Wall had signed and was playing. Of the new signings ex- Swanage midfielder Matt Bircumshaw caught the eye and looks a very useful player who doesn't stop running. Brock put out a strong team and although billed as their reserves had a lot of Wessex League experience.

Borough started the much better side and Alan Fooks scored in the first minute but was ruled offside. Half time was no score and although Brock made some good chances Dan Burton had few saves to make and was replaced by Stuart Hargreaves in the second half.

Borough took the lead on 55 minutes when Fooks finished after Wall had done well down the right and put in a good cross. Brock equalised and then took the lead mid way through the half but Borough got a deserved draw when 'Nash", who came on as a late sub, coolly chipped the keeper with five minutes to go.

Tommy Heffernan played well at the back and Chris Morgan/Lee Atkins had to play out of position at left back. Ben Aldous had some good touches but will improve once his fitness increases. Scott Arnold came on and did well and Andy Coles showed his usual combative style to ensure Borough opened pre-season with a better start then last year.