SHOLING boss Dave Diaper believes a Southern League play-off clash at Poole Town could be too much for some referees.

Diaper is hoping to avoid a trip to Tatnam through fears that the partisan Dorset crowd could help swing decisions in the host club’s favour.

The Dolphins average the highest attendance in the league – topped by a 792 crowd for their Easter Monday victory over Wimborne – and Diaper is worried the occasion could be “too big” for the officials.

He said: “I haven’t got a problem with playing at Poole and neither have the players.

“We’ve been in bigger games and we wouldn’t be overawed.

“But Poole could potentially get 2,000 people there if all the other teams in their area turn out to watch them.

“No disrespect to the officials, but one of my concerns is that when there are so many fans in such close proximity, their decisions sometimes get influenced.

“Refs are having to be rushed through the system these days and games like that can sometimes be too big for them.

“They can get swayed by the crowd on big decisions in and around the penalty area.”

Having banked just one point from the last nine, Sholing have dropped to fourth and, if the table stays as it is, they would be on course to visit third-placed Poole in the semis.

Tom Killick’s Dolphins, who face North Leigh today, have won six and drawn one of their past seven games and are just a point behind second-placed Gosport.