IN-DEMAND striker Alex Baldacchino has been left to ponder a tricky selection dilemma after opening his Southern League goal account.

Baldacchino’s 28th-minute effort added to Carl Preston’s opener as victory secured Dolphins a top-three finish in Division One South & West.

The 21-year-old marksman impressed on only his second start for the club and will be hoping to feature when Poole bid to win promotion to the Premier Division.

Baldacchino, who joined Poole last month, is also registered with Conference South Havant & Waterlooville and Wessex Prem-ier New Milton – and is eligible to turn out for all three clubs.

The Portsmouth-based hitman has plundered 28 goals in 34 games for the Linnets, his exploits ensuring the Fawcett’s Field outfit is not already condemned to the drop.

And with New Milton facing a crucial final-day relegation scrap with Hayling United on Saturday, Baldacchino could be left with divided loyalties.

Linnets boss Glenn Burnett is certain to ask him to turn out at Hayling College, while Poole will also want Baldacchino on duty for their final league game of the season against Bideford.

While Poole have already secured a place in the play-offs, they are likely to need to beat the champions to ensure finishing second – which would give them home advantage should they go on to reach the final.

And should Baldacchino decide to offer his services to New Milton, it could jeopardise his chances of keeping his place for the play-off semi-final against either Sholing or Hungerford a week tomorrow.

Poole boss Tom Killick said: “I know New Milton have got a crucial game and had already anticipated they may want Alex. I am going to talk to him about it and, between us, I am sure we will come to an agreement.”

Killick added: “I was pleased for Alex to get a goal. He has been prolific for New Milton and he seemed more worried about getting a goal than I was. I was more concerned about his performances and they’ve been good.”

Victory in Oxfordshire saw Poole climb into second place, leapfrogging Gosport Borough who were held to a 1-1 draw at Mangotsfield. Gosport host Bishops Cleeve in their final game of the regulation campaign.

Killick added: “The team finishing second is guaranteed home advantage in the semi-final and again in the final, if they get there. It would be preferable to us if we could finish second but it is going to be difficult because we are playing the champions.

“With the play-off semi-final just three days later, I also need to weigh up whether or not I should rest two or three players.”

Striker Karim Benassouda made a welcome return for Poole and was an unused substitute as the Dolphins registered a 12th away win of the season, a tally currently better only by champions Bideford.

Dolphins: Hutchings, Tallack (Clarke, 60), Spetch, Walker, Emmerson, Preston, Brooks (Howes, 70), Devlin, Gill, Baldacchino (Smith, 65), Joyce. Unused subs: Richardson, Benassouda.