POOLE Town's scheduled Wessex Premier Division clash at Ringwood Town tonight is off - much to the delight of Dolphins boss Tom Killick.

Killick asked for special dispensation from the Wessex League to postpone the meeting at Long Lane after Poole's FA Vase fourth round tie against Consett ended in a draw at the weekend - leaving Killick's charges with a replay in the north east on Saturday.

And after Saturday's encounter went into extra-time, Killick was understandably keen to ensure his tired troops get a well-earned rest before travelling to County Durham on Friday morning.

Killick told the Echo last night: "Consett have got a free week leading up to the game and we thought that we would be at quite a significant disadvantage after playing extra-time on Saturday, playing on Tuesday and then travelling up to Sunderland on Friday.

"Pleasingly, the league has gone along with it."

Killick admitted he will have one eye on VT's rearranged clash with Wimborne on Saturday, as Christer Warren's Magpies will be looking to close the gap, currently four points, between themselves and Poole while Dolphins are in Vase action.

Killick added: "Totton have gone four points clear at the top, albeit having played one more game than us, but VT, fortunately for us, lost on Saturday and Poppies dropped points too.

"Wimborne and VT should be a good game, if it survives the weather. Our game in Consett could also be in doubt if the weather stays as bad as they say it is up there.

"If we do get it on, though, we'll go up on Friday morning and make a weekend of it and stay up Saturday night as well."

Meanwhile, Killick has bolstered his resources by signing former Dorchester Town youngster Ryan Hill and Gosport Borough midfielder Kevin Gill until the end of the season.

Defender Hill was loaned to New Forest side Bashley earlier this term, before leaving the Avenue Stadium in December, while former Hamworthy United man Gill has fallen out of favour at Alex Pike's Borough.

Hill could be in contention for Saturday's trip to the north east, but Gill's registration was not completed in time.

  • Should Poole progress in Saturday's replay, they will face a fifth round away trip to either Merstham or Pickering Town.

Merstham are 15 points clear at the top of the Combined Counties Premier Division, while Pickering are fourth in the Northern Counties Premier.