HAMWORTHY United boss Phil Simkin watched skipper Nathan Walker lead his side to a memorable derby triumph over neighbours Poole Town - and then admitted he fears the vultures may be circling above the County Ground.

Hammers were forced to come from behind last night after Ian Richardson put Tom Killick's side in front after just 19 minutes.

But Steve Legg's stunning equaliser after 65 minutes got Simkin's charges back in the game, before Walker stepped up to bury the winner five minutes later for his 10th goal of a prolific campaign.

When asked if Walker's scintillating form this term may have put him in the shop window, Simkin said: "There's always a possibility of that and it's important for people to remember we are working on very limited resources here.

"He's been tremendously loyal for the past two years. I think he's the youngest captain in the Wessex League and that means a lot to him.

"He's held in very high regard at this football club and obviously we're hoping that things carry on."

Walker had Hammers' best chance of an early second-half equaliser when his strike rattled off Jason Harvell's crossbar, but it was Legg's moment of magic that left Simkin drooling.

The Hammers frontman let rip with a majestic volley from all of 40 yards after Harvell's sliced clearance fell kindly for him to bury his second goal of the season.

But it was left to Walker to see Simkin's troops home, the Hammers talisman latching on to Micky Hubbard's free kick to the near post and planting a neat finish into Harvell's bottom corner.

"We had a rough weekend at Ringwood and couldn't stand up in the wind," Simkin told the Echo.

"We hit the bar about five times, then they had a chance on 90 minutes and scored. You get as low as a snake's belly over that and then come here tonight and the boys put in a performance that shows how good they really are.

"We came out in the second half and really pressed them and pushed them back.

"We had to defend strongly in the first half to stay in the game, but the second half, and certainly as soon as we equalised, we took the game to them.

"It could have been more, but everyone is happy. It's a derby and we've beaten Poole Town, but I'm just happy we've got the three points."

The result left Dolphins' already slim Sydenhams Wessex Premier Division title chances in tatters with Killick's side now 10 points adrift of leaders AFC Totton.

The Echo was unable to contact Dolphins boss Killick for a comment last night.

Hamworthy United: Peters, Gilbert, Grimason, Horlock, Walker, Dovell, Legg, Hubbard, Mutch, Byerley, Jackson. Unused subs: Middleton, Glavin, Crossin, Reavenall-Nuete, Raisbiani.