OLD friendships and allegiances will be put to one side when Bournemouth Poppies and Poole Town go head-to-head tomorrow at Victoria Park (3pm).
The derby clash is the pick of the weekend's Wessex Premier Division fixtures, with Poppies looking to move into the top five.
But standing in their way are Tom Killick's league leaders, who go into the match on the back of a highly-impressive 2-1 victory at VT on Tuesday night.
Poppies boss James Wood, a former Poole player, is fond of his former club but under no illusions as to where his loyalties lie come kick-off.
He said: "I'm really looking forward to it. It's always a bit special when we play Poole.
"Me and Leigh Phillips (player-assistant manager) used to play for them and we've got lots of friends there.
"They're a great club and I'm pleased they're doing well this season. I hope it continues, but obviously not on Saturday."
Poppies finished fifth last season, a position Wood wants to improve on, and he thinks his team are a match for any team in the division in a one-off game.
"We can beat anyone. We showed that last season and it will be the case this season," said Wood.
"We just need to work on the consistency and grind out results. That's what we're striving for."
Dolphins boss Tom Killick watched Poppies' 3-0 win over Hamworthy United last weekend and he felt that result "showed what a good side they are".
Killick, who will be without Chris Smith, Sean Hogan and Leon Lima, knows his side have a tough task on their hands, with Poppies boasting a number of the league's top players.
He said: "They've got good players all over the pitch. Lamin Dibba is probably widely accepted as one of the best, if not the best, defender in the league.
"Scott Sanderson is an emerging midfield player and Gareth Barnes has scored goals wherever he's played."
Killick hinted that young striker Steve Smith, who has struck 18 league goals so far in his debut season for Dolphins, may well not make the starting line-up tomorrow.
He has started just six games, with the majority of his appearances coming off the bench.
"He's getting to grips with everything and doing well," said Killick.
"We'll assess on Saturday whether he starts or comes on as sub."
Killick is "hoping" to have striker Karim Benssaouda available after a two-match absence.
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