MANAGERIAL foes Tom Killick and Alex Pike insist the feisty pre-match build-up will count for little during today’s promotion showdown.

Poole Town host Gosport Borough at Tatnam in the Southern League Division One South & West play-off final this afternoon (3pm).

The game comes after some lively exchanges between the two camps ahead of the battle to secure Premier Division status.

Gosport boss Pike said the Football Association would need to appoint a “strong” referee and labelled the Poole crowd “hostile”.

Dolphins skipper Michael Walker claimed Pike thought he was Alex Ferguson and insisted his “mind games” would not bother Poole.

Pike responded by telling the Daily Echo: “I found it a bit of an oxymoron. He likened me to Alex Ferguson and said I was playing mind games and didn’t get into his head, but then he wanted to make a response in the paper. So, maybe, I did get into his head.

“It is a big game and it has become a media circus. But, ultimately, it comes down to what the players do on the park.

“Whatever Alex Pike, Michael Walker or Tommy Killick thinks doesn’t really matter. It is what happens on the day that counts.”

Killick said: “The important thing is the two sets of players – that is going to be the crux of it.

“In non-league, the role of the manager is reduced in importance anyway because you don’t spend as much time with your players.

“The players have done well throughout the season to get us in this position and they are the ones that have got the opportunity today. Everyone should remember that and I am sure they will.”

Killick is hoping that home advantage could play a part with more than 1,000 spectators likely to attend.

He said: “Non-league players don’t get to play in front of crowds of the sort of numbers we will have at the game.

“I am hoping that because the vast majority will, hopefully, be supporting us that it will perhaps help our players and make it a little bit daunting for Gosport.”

Asked about Pike’s comments regarding the referee, which followed similar thoughts from Sholing boss Dave Diaper, Killick added: “I am sure the league will make sure they appoint someone who is experienced. You want someone who is capable of rising above the occasion and making sure that it is refereed in a sensible manner.”

Killick is hopeful star striker Dan Cann will be fit after sustaining a knock in the semi-final win over Hungerford on Tuesday.

Dolphins: (from) Hutchings, Tallack, Spetch, Walker, Emmerson, Joyce, Benssaouda, Brooks, Richardson, Howes, Devlin, Preston, Cann, Gill, Smith, Baldacchino, Skelton, Clarke.

• Referee Andrew Parker from Leicestershire will take charge of the match. The cost of the officials is £135, plus expenses, which will be deducted from the gate receipts before they are divided equally between the Southern League, Poole and Gosport.