7:20am Thursday 9th July 2009
By Neil Perrett
BOSS Eddie Howe proffered “no excuses” after watching Cherries slump to an unexpected 2-1 defeat in their pre-season curtain raiser at Poole Town last night.
First-half goals from prolific marksman Charlie Austin and Stuart Brown put the Dolphins in the ascendancy in a low-key affair in front of a 1,350-strong crowd at Tatnam.
And although new skipper Danny Hollands bagged a late goal for Cherries, it was scant consolation for Howe who also saw Josh McQuoid limp off with an ankle injury.
Transfer target Lewis Smith was one of the few shining lights for Cherries, while Howe also ran the rule over trialist defender Davide Grassi.
Ex-Cherries skipper Karl Broadhurst, who has asked to train with Howe’s charges as he looks for another club, turned out in the second half.
Howe said: “It was disappointing in both halves. We were a little bit unlucky not to score in the first half and I thought we had some good chances.
“But we conceded two very sloppy goals and picked up an injury to Josh McQuoid so it was a disappointing night all round.
“We’ve got a lot of work to do and it’s very early days. The lads will have been feeling tired after the work we’ve done but there are no excuses from us.
“We know we should be winning these games, I’m not going to deny that. I want us to win every game we play and this one was no different.”
Teenage striker Smith, who Howe is keen to sign once the club’s transfer embargo has been relaxed, gave a good account of himself in the opening period – without any reward.
“I thought he did very well,” said Howe. “He’s been sharp in training, he makes great runs and he’s got a good engine.
“In training, he’s been knocking two or three of those chances away but it didn’t go for him tonight. I was pleased with him.
“Liam Feeney also showed glimpses of what he’s about and there is plenty more to come from us so nobody is panicking.”
Howe is expected to field two similar sides when Cherries take on Hamworthy Recreation tonight (6.30pm kick-off), although Brett Pitman and Mark Molesley could feature at Magna Road.
“Hopefully, the lads will show a bit more composure on the ball,” added Howe. “I know it was a difficult pitch but it was the same for both sides so, hopefully, our passing will be a little bit better against Hamworthy.”
Smith went close for Cherries inside the opening minute before Joe Partington saw his goalbound header well saved.
And although Shwan Jalal produced a top-drawer stop to keep out Austin’s header, the Cher-ries keeper was unable to repeat the feat when the young striker nodded home Micky Hubbard’s free kick after 16 minutes.
Jalal was then punished for failing to clear his lines when Brown pounced on his poor clearance to make it 2-0 in the 28th minute before Smith and Anton Robinson were both denied.
The only real highlight of a dreadful second half came when Hollands reduced the arrears after being picked out by Tom Hill’s clever pass.
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