Poole Borough Football Club
Season 2003/04

THE SEASON

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Reserves

Add your comments on Pre-Season

Borough Scorers: G. FOOKS, CHAPPLE, BLENHAM (2)

Borough reserves finished off their pre season campaign with another win, albeit that the score line didn’t reflect the true match, it took until the second half for Borough to settle down and play some neat passing football, when they did the goals came and Ferndown had no answer in reply which was a trifle unfair as they looked the better side early on with their quick breaks and pressing game.

The game started quickly with G.FOOKS going close in the 2^nd minute with a free kick, almost immediately Ferndown broke as their forward outpaced the static Borough defence to slot the ball home 0-1 This should of woken Borough up but they struggled to find any cohesion as passes went astray, A. FOOKS had to be alert to clear when another ball into the Borough box caused uncertainty. 25 minutes in and following good work from CONSTABLE, A, FOOK’s volley was well saved, 10 minutes later and Borough finally equalised when after a good turn, G, FOOKS shot home from the edge of the box 1-1 no further chances of note followed as the half drew to a close.

HALF TIME 1-1

Words were clearly said at half time as Borough came out for the second half and from the start took the game to Ferndown, BLENHAM went close with a snap shot, and CHAPPLE drew another good save from the visiting keeper, SHEAR had to be alert in the 55^th minute to tip over a shot. With 63 minutes gone, a good move between CHAPPLE and BLENHAM saw the latter calmly finish to give Borough the lead 2-1 Minutes later and the lead was increased when WOLDON played a superb ball into the path of CHAPPLE who rounded the keeper to slot home 3-1 By this stage, Ferndown looked tired as Borough played at times some good crisp football, following another good move in the 77^th minute, G. FOOKS was fouled on the edge of the box, up stepped HEBDON to float a ball into the path of BLENHAM who headed home 4-1 The remainder of the game petered out as the hot conditions started to show, SHEAR again had to be alert when he again tipped over a cross which looked destined for the back of the net in the 87^th minute.

GILES was happy with the result and thanks his players for their efforts in pre season, the real work starts in 2 weeks where as a unit we will have to stay strong and play as a team, whatever players are selected !!!

GILES KILSHAWE - FALL

Queens Park 0(0),
Poole Borough Reserves (1) 2.
Pre-Season Friendly
Tuesday 19th August 2003

Borough Scorers: CONSTABLE, FLOOKS

Another win for the reserves was secured against a very physical Queens park side, Borough played well in pockets and on the whole deserved their win. Squad players were given the chance to shine and all took time to settle as mistakes were made. Borough took the lead following good work between G. FOOKS and A. FOOKS with the latter’s cross being headed home by CONSTABLE 1-0 That is the way it stayed until the second half when Borough started to play some good football so denying Queens park any real chance, and when they did get a chance MACKENZIE was equal to it in the Borough goal. The second goal came mid way through the half when another piece of good work from A. FOOKA set up FLOOKS who drew the keeper before lifting the ball home 2-0 Further chances were created but ATKINS and HEBDON failed to find the net.

All in all a good work out, a few things are still to be worked on but overall the reserves are shaping up nicely for the new season.

GILES KILSHAWE - FALL

Poole Borough Reserves (2) 4,
Weymouth Spartans (0) 0.
Pre-Season Friendly
Saturday 16th August 2003

Borough Scorers: CHAPPLE, G. FOOKS, ASAGBA, HEBDON

A comprehensive win that will give the side a lot of confidence going into the season, playing against a side from the same division Borough looked to settle early and chances for HERRINGTON and CHAPPLE went un rewarded, Spa offered little but looked dangerous on a couple of occasions, mid way through the half, CHAPPLE received the ball, he turned and shot into the bottom corner 1-0 The lead was increased when good work between GRIFFIN, YOUNG and HERRINGTON saw the ball find G. FOOKS who rounded the keeper to roll the ball in 2-0 Borough by this stage were playing some good football with HEBDON and SHANLEY resolute in defence when called upon, Spa went down to 10 when an injury forced off a defender, this spurred on Borough who dominated the remainder off the game, further chances were wasted as the game drew on, into the final 10 minutes and a clever ball from HEBDON found ASAGBA ghosting in un challenged to head home 3-0 not to be outdone, HEBDON in the final minutes picked the ball up and shot from 25 yards out, the result 4-0

All in all it was a good team performance which bodes well for the season with the most pleasing aspect to GILES and LEE being the attitude of the “first team” players who all played with passion and were a credit.

GILES KILSHAWE - FALL

Poole Borough (2) 4,
Cranborne (1) 2.
Pre-Season Friendly
Saturday 9th August 2003

Borough Scorers: Steve Russell, Kieron Campbell, Scott Smith, Simon Hallam

In sweltering conditions Cranborne provided a stern test and took the lead in the 8^th minute, breaking into the area from the right the ball ran loose following an interception from TONY WHITE and ran into the path of a visiting to a forward to tuck home. Borough came back and a dipping cross from HALLAM came off the bar before on 28 minutes STEVE RUSSELL arrived at the far post to convert a low right wing cross. There followed sustained Borough pressure EDWARDS saw a shot well saved and CAMPBELL hit the bar before on 43 minutes EDWARDS broke down the right and passed to HALLAM in the box who squared to CAMPBELL to tap in. Just on half time BIRCUMSHAW was put through but the keeper came out well to block the resulting shot.

HALF TIME 2-1.

Cranborne started the second half stronger and had a few close chances before SMITH increased the lead on 63 minutes, latching onto a forward lob and diverting it past the advancing keeper. Sevem minutes later EDWARDS broke down the rigit but his resulting cross was hndled in the area. T.WHITE stepped up to take the penalty but saw his spot kick saved, but from the resulting corner HALLAM converted at the far post. The game looked to be peetering out when the visitors pulled a goal back with a well worked move 5 minutes from time. This woke both sides up and in the final minutes the visiting keeper made two fine saves from BIRCUMSHAW and CAMPBELL to maintain the scoreline.

Borough: Adam Nash, Simon Hallam, Tony White, Lee Russell, Martin White, James Edwards, Matt Norris, Stuart Merrell, Matt Bircumshaw, Kieron Campbell, Steve Russell. Subs (all used) Scott Smith, Shaun Clarke, Alex Gunn.

Poole Borough Reserves 3,
Cranborne Reserves 2.
Pre-Season Friendly
Saturday 9th August 2003

Borough Scorers: Scott Ison, Mike Constable 2

Played on a baking hot day, it was decided to split the game into 3 half hour periods, this was the reserves first real pre season friendly and they acquitted themselves well against a determined Cranborne side. The opening exchanges belonged to Borough with SMITH and HERRINGTON both going close, Cranborne also threatened but SHEAR was equal to the task, 16 minutes in and a through ball from HERRINGTON was placed calmly into the net by ISON 1-0 Back came Cranborne only to thwarted by ALLEN and HEBDON, SMITH went close again in the 29^th minute when his shot went narrowly wide.

1^st HALF TIME 1-0

The second period clearly belonged to Cranborne as they pushed Borough back time and time again, with 35 minutes on the clock a Cranborne move down the left saw a cross centred only for HEBDON, who was at full stretch, to divert the ball into his net 1-1 This clearly rattled Borough as they appeared to struggle to cope with the Cranborne middle, changes were made and this appeared to steady Borough not before another deflection from HEBDON ended up in the net 1-2 With time running out in the period Borough stepped up a gear WOLDON went close and after a good ball by FLOOKS crossing to the far post CONSTABLE rose to head home the equaliser 2-2.

2nd HALF TIME 2-2

The final third of the game saw Borough pressing for the winner WOLDON again going close on 2 occasions, the first his shot went wide and the second in the 78^th minute saw the Cranborne keeper produce a great save. Not to be out done, SHEAR had to be alert when tipping over a deep cross in the 80^th minute, minutes later and Borough produced the best move off the match to secure the win, good interplay between HERRINGTON and CONSTABLE on the edge of the box saw CONSTABLE receive a return pass to slam the ball home 3-2 The lead should of been increased when after a fine tackle from CUFF, saw the ball find HERRINGTON whose shot was scuffed, no further chances were created.

GILO was pleased with the work out; positives were taken from the game with the overall view that there needs to be better communication out on the field.

GILES KILSHAWE - FALL

Poole Borough (0) 1,
Brockenhurst (0) 0.
Pre-Season Friendly
Tuesday 5th August 2003

Borough Scorer: Kieron Campbell

Another satisfying team performance for Poole Borough as they controlled the majority of the game against a spirited Brockenhurst outfit. The opening exchanges were of a tight affair as both sides probed for an opening, the Brock keeper had to be alert in the 7^th minute to clear his box from the advancing CAMPBELL, Brock mounted their first real threat in the 15^th minute when good play saw HALLAM having to cover with a last ditch tackle. A Brock shot in the 21^st minute was well wide after good work by their forward, back came Borough with M.WHITE threading through CAMPBELL only to see his shot well saved. Borough’s best chance in the half came after 38 minutes when, first HALLAM and then, from the rebound, MARSHALL both had headers that cannoned back of the bar, finally being put out for a corner which came to nothing.

HALF TIME 0-0

Borough again dominated proceedings and at times played some good football with a very high work rate that pleased MOZZY during the second half, S.RUSSELL, on at half time, caused problems for the Brock defence when he centred a low cross in the 47^th minute, finally the ball was cleared. Brockenhurst still tried to press forward, NASH had to deal with a shot in the 52^nd minute after a good passage of play for the visitors. The score finally changed in the 63^rd minute when after excellent wide play by SMITH saw his centre controlled by CAMPBELL who turned and shot low into the net 1-0 BIRCUMSHAW then went close in the 68^th minute after more good work from SMITH, to Brockenhurst credit they kept playing football and were nearly rewarded in the 70^th minute when a clever ball over the defence found their forward whose shot ended up in the side netting. With 7 minutes to go EDWARDS charged through the box only to see his shot rushed and end up over the bar, back came Brock and after a good cross their forwards looping header landed on top of the bar and away to safety, if that was a scare for Borough. Only a last minute flying save from NASH prevented Brock from equalising when a free kick seemed destined for the top corner.

GILES KILSHAWE - FALL

Poole Borough (3) 3,
Bashley XI (0) 0.
Pre-Season Friendly
Saturday 2nd August 2003

Borough Scorers: James Edwards 2, Tony White

With Bashley fielding the majority of their reserve team it was in the end a very good performance from Borough who will gain a lot of confidence from the result and the manner in which it was achieved. Borough found themselves with more opportunities to play football as they took the game to Bashley who at times posed a hard nit to crack. As early as the 3^rd minute, Borough started a flowing 4-man move between HERRINGTON, CAMPBELL, MERRELL and HALLAM, which resulted in a corner. Chances came and went as good attempts by CAMPBELL and SMITH went UN rewarded. Things changed in the 16^th minute when good work by SMITH saw the ball find EDWARDS who shot home 1-0 Borough’s good early work was nearly undone when minutes later Bashley went close. On the half hour NORRIS crossed the ball in for WHITE to nod home at the far post 2-0 By this stage of the game Borough totally dominated as they pushed forward, this was rewarded in the 35^th minute when EDWARDS scored again with a crisp shot after more good inter play between NORRIS and SMITH 3-0 No further chances of note were created as the half drew to a close.

HALF TIME 3-0

Borough started the half slowly as Bashley created a couple of chances, NASH was quick of his line to thwart one attack and a free kick caused problems when it was allowed to bounce in the box, luckily it bounced wide to the relief of Borough’s defence!! Mozzy again made changes to give his whole bench a run out and all the substitutes fitted in well as the tempo was increased. Bashley hit the bar in the 58^th minute from a free kick, this appeared to re focus Borough as they got back to playing flowing football L.RUSSELL went close as did CAMPBELL, In the 68^th minute good work by CLARKE released MARSHALL whose cross was narrowly put wide by BIRCUMSHAW. With time running out, EDWARDS was close to his hat trick but failed to get any power on his shot.

This was a pleasing result for Borough who showed passages of play that will stand them in good stead for the challenges ahead.

GILES KILSHAWE - FALL

Poole Borough (0) 0,
Wimborne Town (3) 3.
Pre-Season Friendly
Thursday 31st July 2003

This game was over as a spectacle by the 9^th minute after Wimborne stormed into a 3 goal lead, to Borough’s credit they showed a lot of determination and resilience as they more than matched their opponents for the rest of the game. 2 minutes were on the clock when the early floodgates opened after a ball into the Borough box was not dealt with, the Wimborne forward slammed the ball home 0-1 Minutes later and it was 2 when after a long cross field ball the resulting cross was met, un marked, at the back post with a free header 0-2 Still reeling from the shock of conceding 2 early goals, Wimborne put together the best goal of the game when an excellent move saw the ball rifled home from just inside the Borough box 0-3 Borough started to knuckle down to their task and came close in the 19^th minute when SMITH went close. On the half hour and good combination play between SMITH and CAMPBELL saw a chance fall to EDWARDS whose shot was blocked. Wimborne continued to pose a threat but good defending by WHITE and good saves from NASH kept the score the same.

HALF TIME 0-3

Borough stuck to their task well in the second half as they took the game to their opponents, NORRIS firing over in the 47^th minute after good play from Borough again minutes later an EDWARDS effort blocked, Wimborne responded and NASH had to be alert in the 56^th minute to push away another good attempt by Wimborne. MOZZY by this time made changes as he shuffled his pack, HERRINGTON caused problems down the left and MARSHALL, on up front, should of done better in the 80^th minute when he had a one on one with the keeper only to be outdone. WHITE went close with a header as the game drew on to its conclusion.

MOZZY was very pleased with the application shown by the Borough who were playing a very strong side.

GILES KILSHAWE - FALL

Poole Borough Reserves (0) 2,
Wimborne Town Reserves (2) 5.
Pre-Season Friendly
Wednesday 30th July 2003

Borough Scorers: Danny Chapple, Gary Fooks

Another stern work out for PB against a very good Wimborne side who play their football 2 divisions above PB, both sides started nervously with no real threat being posed to either goal, 15 minutes in and a ISON shot was blocked by the visiting keeper, chances came and went for both sides but as the half wore on, Wimborne started to dominate in the middle and after half an hour took the lead when one of their forwards ran onto a through ball only to be fouled, in the box, by ATKINS, the resultant penalty was dispatched 0-1 Borough tried to reduce the arrears with 2 good chances, they both fell to WISHY whose first shot went over the bar and the next chance, after a good ball from HERRINGTON went just past the post. With the half drawing to a close Wimborne took a quick throw in, 3 passes later and it was side footed home 0-2

HALF TIME 0-2

Borough responded at the start of the half to their team talk by taking the game to Wimborne and creating a couple of good chances, a ISON header and a CHAPPLE shot being blocked. In the 65^th minute a good ball by JAMES found CHAPPLE, who cut inside his defender to score 1-2 Wimborne looked rattled as Borough had the ascendancy but only 2 minutes later and Wimborne were gifted a goal when a moment of madness by SHEAR, PB’s keeper, sliced a clearance straight to their forward who slotted home into the un guarded net 1-3 This mistake clearly upset the keeper as again in the 75^th minute a rush of blood saw Wimborne score their 4^th with a well taken goal 1-4 Borough to their credit tried in vain to get back in the game as they pushed forward, this left in evitable gaps, one of which saw Wimborne score their 5^th in the 88^th minute when a free header was granted 1-5 Borough still pressed forward and were rewarded in the 90^th minute when GARY FOOKS struck a free kick from distance into the top corner 2-5.

Once again there were positives to take from the game as Borough proved they have battling qualities to match sides from higher divisions, once the silly mistakes are eliminated!!!

GILES KILSHAWE - FALL

Poole Borough (1) 3,
Colden Common (2) 4.
Pre-Season Friendly
Saturday 26th July 2003

Borough Scorers: Kieron Campbell, Tony White (pen), Alex Gunn.

A hugely entertaining game for the neutral as the game contained 7 goals and plenty of end to end action, kicking off half an hour late and played in very wet conditions both sides aquitted themselves well. PBFC fielded 4 new signings who all played well and fitted in. As early as the 2^nd minute CAMPBELL produced a back heel that went close, PBFC took the game to Colden in the early stages and forced a succession of corners with CAMPBELL again going close, Colden’s first real attack resulted in a good save from NASH in the 10^th minute. The opposition should of taken the lead 7 minutes later when HERRINGTON was caught in possession leaving the Colden forward a clear run at goal but it came to nothing. 19 minutes in and a corner for Colden saw their forward un challenged as he was allowed to turn in the box and score 0-1 Minutes later and a through ball from EDWARDS was collected by CAMPBELL who smashed the ball home for the equaliser 1-1 Again PBFC were caught in possession as Colden went close in the 25^th minute, this appeared to spur on Colden as they played some good football, only a timely intervention from T.WHITE who cut out a cross for a corner, prevented the score from changing. In the 31^st minute a long ball into the PBFC penalty area was called for by NASH, he was beaten to the ball by a forward whose header glanced into the net 1-2 PBFC kept pressing for another equaliser before half time, CAMPBELL found himself in a one on one situation but failed to convert and a long range effort from HERRINGTON was well saved by the visiting keeper.

HALF TIME 1-2

The pattern of the second half followed the first with entertaining football on show, only another good cover tackle from L.RUSSELL prevented Colden from stretching their lead. 49 minutes in and a good move involving BIRCUMSHAW and EDWARDS saw a chance fall to SMITH whose header was fumbled by the keeper only to recover his mistake. 5 minutes later and NASH pulled off a great save forcing the ball out for a corner which resulted in Colden’s 3^rd goal when the corner was met at the back post un opposed. 1-3 Again PBFC pushed forward and were awarded a penalty in the 62^nd minute when EDWARDS was fouled, up stepped T.WHITE to send the keeper the wrong way 2-3 This should have been the time when PBFC searched for the equaliser but the next goal went to the opposition when a neat one, two around the penalty box resulted in a crisp shot 2-4 Colden appeared to sit back as the final stages of the game saw PBFC command the game, only good saves by the Colden keeper prevented MARSHALL, MERRELL and T.WHITE closing the gap, in the 84^th minute a deep cross from T.WHITE was fumbled by the keeper, GUNN pounced to head home to reduce the deficit 3-4 PBFC pressed forward but no further chances were taken.

MOZZY was happy with the work out and could take some good points from the game, being the first friendly, mistakes were going to be made and so it proved, with 2 goals coming from players left un marked at corners, things will need to tighten up but that will come. The new players all did well and the combination of those players coupled with the remaining players should make for an exciting season not only for the first team but also the reserves.GILES KILSHAWE - FALL

Poole Borough Reserves (0) 0,
Bashley Reserves (1) 3.
Pre-Season Friendly
Saturday 26th July 2003

With this friendly hastily arranged a few days earlier, it gave PBFC the chance to field a strong outfit containing 3 of the clubs new signings. Bashley, who play at a higher standard, provided stiff opposition and were deserved winners over the 90 minutes, however there were plenty of positives to take from the game as the new boys settled in well, coupled with the experienced players on show PBFC were unlucky not to take the lead in the 5^th minute when good work by CHAPPLE created a chance for S.RUSSELL whose shot just went over. The pattern of the game remained similar with chances being created by both sides, but no real threat being posed in front of goal. This all changed in the 30^th minute when a long ball over the top of the PBFC defence was controlled by the Bashley forward who calmly slotted home 0-1 This appeared to kick start PBFC as they pressed forward in search of an equaliser with a header from HEBDON and a shot from CLARKE going close.

HALF TIME 0-1

At the start of the half, PBFC again took the game to the opposition and for the first 15 to 20 minutes created 3 good chances, the first to FOOKS who failed to connect after a good ball in from S.RUSSELL, the second to MARSHALL who created a shooting chance with some great skill, which saw the visiting keeper pull of a great save and again the keeper was to the rescue when he pushed away a free kick from FOOKS. Changes were made to PBFC as other players were given a run out and this lead to Bashley gaining control of the game as they pressed forward more and more, in the 75^th minute an excellent Bashley move down the right saw a ball crossed in and side footed home to increase the lead 0-2 With the game drawing to a close, Bashley kept pressing and produced a couple more chances which were well saved by SHEAR, with 2 minutes remaining PBFC conceded a penalty when Bashley’s forward was fouled in the box, up stepped their forward to convert the resultant kick 0-3

Being the first friendly the result was not important just the performance, and the team on the whole battled well and in places played some neat football, it bodes well for the forthcoming season.

GILES KILSHAWE - FALL