POOLE Town new boy Micky Hubbard is loving life at Tatnam, having proved the doubters wrong following his summer move from Hamworthy United.

A few eyebrows were raised when Dolphins boss Tom Killick signed the former Cherries trainee during the close-season.

Many believed Hubbard, primarily used as a right-back by Hammers last term, would play a bit-part role for the Wessex Premier Division title-chasers, with Killick's squad already blessed with plenty of talent.

But given the opportunity to express his creativity in his favoured central midfield position, Hubbard has flourished and capped a fine start to the season with a spectacular goal against Bournemouth Poppies recently.

Preparing for tomorrow's home clash against Newport IOW (3pm), Hubbard said: "When I went to Poole a lot of people said I wouldn't play, but Tommy gave me a chance and I think I took it.

"It's good that I've got the chance and I'd like to push on after settling in quite well.

"I was wary about moving because I didn't know if I'd play week in week out, but I came in and things suited me."

A fine striker of the ball, Hubbard's main attribute is his set-piece prowess. But as well as his dead-ball talents, Hubbard is also blessed with a fine midfield team-mate in vastly experienced campaigner Taffy Richardson.

"Playing with Taffy is good," he said. "He talks constantly so you know what you're doing.

"He's always going to be there backing you up.

"He's always encouraging if you make a bad pass and he's so clever with the ball. He looks after it so well."

Hubbard, who believes coach Steve Cuss has had a big influence on him during his time at Tatnam, realises the depth of Poole's squad means he cannot afford a dip in performance.

He said: "With Poole, the whole squad's so big that you can't afford to relax.

"You've always got to be pushing otherwise someone will come in and take your place.

"We could've fielded two teams in pre-season so when I got put in central midfield I knew it was my chance and I had to take it. I think I did."

Dolphins welcome Newport, who were relegated from the Southern League last term, to Tatnam tomorrow, hoping to continue their perfect start to the season.

Killick's side are top of the table following five successive victories.

Wing wizard Trefor Smith is unavailable but, other than that, Poole have named a full-strength squad.

Poole Town: (from) Harvell, Poore, Whitley, Dibba, Browne, Gill, Hubbard, Richardson, Bailey-Pearce, Brown, Austin, S Smith, White, Sturgess, Swann, Taylor.