IF title-winning teams are built on firm foundations, then Poole Town look well set for a championship push this season.

The Tatnam side made a solid start to the Wessex Premier Division season on Saturday with victory over Fareham Town, another team expected to be in the top-of-the-table mix.

And after goals from central defender Luke Whitley and new signing Jack Swann had sealed an opening-day win, manager Tom Killick revealed he was delighted with Dolphins' defensive display.

He said: "We defended very well and they didn't really have a shot.

"I thought defensively we looked sound. Lamin Dibba and Luke Whitley at the back looked comfortable and Carl Poore played well at right-back."

Killick's team has a strong look to it this term, with Dibba, widely regarded as the league's best centre-half, and veteran full-back Simon Browne adding depth to last season's squad.

Going forward, Poole also have plenty of creativity, with playmaker Micky Hubbard and winger James Bailey-Pearce joining the likes of Trefor Smith in the midfield.

But despite having plenty of attacking options at his dis-posal, Killick was unhappy Dolphins' forward play on Saturday.

"We weren't perhaps as fluent as we'd have liked going forward, but they're a good side," he told the Daily Echo.

"They've not really lost any players from last year and have signed a few, so it wasn't an easy game by any means.

"We had quite a few chances, but it was just one of those occasions where we were nervous until we got the first goal.

"Once that happened, it was fairly plain sailing."

The Dolphins boss added: "I was getting nervous we might drop points because, in the first game, you're under a little bit of pressure.

"I hate the first game because everyone's full of it and they think we'll win 10-0, but it's always awkward."

Dolphins handed competitive debuts to eight players, while veteran target man Leigh Phillips made his first league appearance after rejoining from Poppies.

Poole Town: Harvell, Poore, Dibba, Whitley, Browne, T Smith (Hogan, 75), Hubbard, S Richardson, Bailey-Pearce, Austin (Middleton, 83), Phillips (Swann, 60). Unused subs: S Smith, Sturgess.