MANAGER Graham Kemp insists Hamworthy United can prosper from the experience of a former professional after snapping up ex-Cherries midfielder James Rowe.

The 26-year-old, who was handed his first-team debut at Dean Court at the age of 17, went on to feature for several non-league clubs including Dorchester Town, Bashley and Poole Town following his Cherries release.

However, after a spell out of the game, Rowe joined United for training last week and impressed enough for the County Ground boss to take a chance on his talent.

After completing the deal, Kemp told the Daily Echo: “Like many players, football has to fit round James’s work so it is a bit of a trial period to begin with but it can only benefit both parties in the short term.

“He is what I class as a proper footballer who thinks about the game.

“When I sign players I don’t want them to come in and play to a Wessex League standard, I want them to be responsible for raising the standard of our players and James is certainly capable of doing that.”

  • Poole Town were forced to settle for a point last night after playing out a stalemate at play-off rivals Bideford.

Chances were few and far between in the Southern League Premier Division clash with Keith Emmerson and Marvin Brooks closest to breaking the deadlock for Dolphins.

Dolphins: Buchel, Spetch, Martin, Emmerson, Whisken, Pettefer, Elliott (Davies, 72), Brooks, Charles (Chiedozie, 60), Preston, Cann. Unused subs: Clarke, Yates (g/k).