BOSS Tom Killick hopes Poole Town’s eagerly-awaited Bank Holiday derby against Wimborne Town will be a “full-blooded” affair and have “an edge to it”.
The Dolphins tomorrow lock horns with their neighbours at The KoolPak Stadium after both clubs found their way into Southern League South (3pm).
Poole – relegated from National South – face Wimborne – promoted from Southern League West – for the first time in league combat since 2012-13.
They have since met in cup competitions and were involved in a stormy pre-season friendly for the Mark Frowde Trophy in July when Magpies had three players sent off.
Wimborne goalkeeper coach John Macey and Poole coach Micky Hubbard were also sent from the dugout, with Hubbard banished following a spat with Magpies boss Matty Holmes.
Previewing the contest, Killick told the Daily Echo: “There wasn’t too much bad blood in the friendly. There was a bit of a row between Micky and Matty which was regrettable from all aspects. I certainly want a line drawn under that side of it.
“But in terms of the match, it was good because it was full-blooded even though it was a friendly and I am hoping for a bit more of the same. I think that is what people almost want to see. There needs to be a bit of an edge and it would be worrying if there wasn’t.
“There are friendships all over the place when you have these local games but they need to be very firmly put to one side and I would hope to see a game that almost backs up what the fixture means.
“We are looking forward to it. Matty is a lovely lad and I played with him at Poole when we were both very young. He was on loan from Bournemouth and it is fair to say our careers went in slightly different directions!
“Ever since then, I have had a good relationship with him and he has done a very good job at Wimborne.”
Poole visit Wimborne on the back of a 2-2 draw against Metropolitan Police in Southern League South at the Black Gold Stadium yesterday.
Jamie Whisken cancelled out Jack Mazzone’s 16th-minute opener before Marvin Brooks put Poole ahead early in the second half, only for Mazzone to level late on.
Killick said: “We didn’t play particularly well but it was a game we will look back on and feel we missed an opportunity to get three points.
“It was disappointing on the back of two good away performances and were hoping to bring that into a much-needed home display but it just didn’t happen and we were a bit below par.
“On the balance of play, their late equaliser was probably deserved because they had some opportunities to score earlier. A draw was fair in the end.”
Dolphins: Cairney, Alawode-Williams, Leslie-Smith, Smeeton, Whisken, Moore, Griffin (Balmer, 70), Pettefer, Clarke, Grange (Bedford, h-t), Brooks (Gillespie, 89). Unused subs: Jamison, Hutchings (g/k).
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