POOLE Town boss Tom Killick is hoping his side can end their Brockenhurst hoodoo when the Wessex Premier Division title-chasers clash tonight.

Dolphins failed to beat Brock in the league last season and it was the New Forest team that ended Poole's long unbeaten run.

But having won their opening match 2-0 against Fareham on Saturday, Killick's men go into tonight's fixture at Tatnam (7.45pm) in good spirits.

"If they are in a position to sign people of the calibre of Russ Perrett and John Bailey, it sends out a message to the rest of the teams that Brock are serious about things," Killick told the Daily Echo.

"I can definitely see them being one of the main challengers.

"I'm just pleased we're going into it on the back of a win."

Stuart Brown is back in the Poole squad after being unavailable at the weekend, but Kevin Gill (groin) and Aaron Skelton (side strain) are both doubtful.

Former Cherries defender Perrett, Brock's club captain, will lead his side, which will also include ex-Cherry Bailey.

Poole Town: (from) Harvell, Hogan, Poore, Whitley, Dibba, Browne, Taylor, T Smith, Bailey-Pearce, Hubbard, S Richardson, Middleton, Phillips, Austin, Swann, Sturgess, S Smith, Holmes, Brown.

EDGE' TO CLASH

GRAHAM Kemp admits there will be added "edge" when former Poppies players Stuart Kearn and Gareth Barnes return to Victoria Park with new club Christchurch.

Priory visit new-look Poppies tonight (7.45pm) on the back of a disappointing goalless draw against Hayling United, while the hosts enjoyed a flying start to the Wessex League season by hammering Hamble 4-1 on Saturday.

"We thought Poppies would be struggling, but they made a good start," said Kemp.

"We'll need to treat them with the utmost respect."

One ex-Bournemouth player who won't be taking part, however, is Mark Smith, who suffered a suspected broken wrist at Hayling. Poppies are expected to be unchanged.

Poppies: (from) Vaughan, Jones, M Toy, Batchelor, Cole, Neville, Geary, Wrixton, McGlynn, Saadi, C Toy, Jack, Brown, Barbour, Barnett, King.

Christchurch: (from) Kearn, Blake, Taylor, Crutchley, Dillon, Linpow, Lawrence, Costello, Burden, Barnes, Burrows, Rideout, Cook, Green, Brock, Manning, Keates.

  • New Milton Town go in search of their first points of the season at Bemerton Heath Harlequins (7.45pm), while in Division One, Verwood Town travel to Fleet Spurs.