LOCAL lad Matt Tubbs insists he is well and truly over his abrupt Cherries exit and is targeting the perfect stage to prove it – a Wembley final.

The Verwood-based striker has been in fine form for Conference outfit Salisbury City this season – shrugging off the disappointment of his Dean Court knockback to net 16 league goals.

He will be tasked with firing the Whites to within touching distance of the FA Trophy final when they host Barrow in a semi-final first leg tomorrow (3pm).

But the 25-year-old’s current good fortune is in stark contrast to the cruel twist of fate which ended his brief foray into the Football League last term.

Having scored once in six league starts on loan for then struggling Cherries, Tubbs looked set to be handed a contract by boss Jimmy Quinn – but the ex-Northern Ireland international was shown the door.

When asked about his time with Cherries, Tubbs admitted his Dean Court demise had acted as a spur.

He told the Echo: “I think it was a case of bad timing really. Eddie and Jason took over and had their plans and that was it.

“I spoke to Jimmy on December 31 and he was keen to sign me – but he got sacked after I spoke to him.

“I was eligible to play for Salisbury City after that and didn’t hear anything from Bournemouth to say thanks for what I’d done or anything like that. On January 1, I was at Oxford playing for Salisbury.

“I was knocked back a bit but things like that happen. There are lots of cases of bad timing.

“I’m quite strong-minded and just carried on with the job, and this season I have been doing really well.”

Tubbs, who believes he could make the step back up to the Football League, added: “It doesn’t get much bigger than a final at Wembley. Not just for me but for Salisbury City and all the other lads involved.

“We are a young side and it would be a nice occasion if we could get there.”