WIMBORNE Town boss Matty Holmes is expecting Toby Holmes to attract suitors in the summer – after the frontman continued his superb season in front of goal.

The 25-year-old hotshot increased to 29 league goals his tally for the campaign after netting a hat-trick in Magpies' 3-1 win at Kidlington in Southern League West, with only Cirencester Town's Ben Whitehead more prolific.

Toby Holmes joined Wimborne in June 2016 having had brief spells at Dorchester Town and Poole Town, where he was dual registered with Dorset Premier League side Parley Sports.

Having seen his team rise to third and extend to eight games their unbeaten run in all competitions, Matty Holmes told the Daily Echo: "Toby's challenge last season was to score goals having come here as an unknown and he did that.

"In the summer he spoke to a couple of people to see if they were interested but ended up re-signing for us.

"His challenge this season was whether he could score goals again and he has proved he can. I will most probably have more calls this summer because he has done it two seasons running.

"At this stage, no one has contacted me. Thursday is the deadline and even if we get a good offer, I'd be shocked if he would want to go.

"He's a happy boy and is doing well. But it's not just about him. Sometimes strikers go to a new team and don't score or get half the goals they had scored at another club.

"You have to be set up the right way and we are, and he has reaped the benefits. It was a wonderful hat-trick against Kidlington which I think a pro would have been proud of."

The hitman opened the scoring seven minutes in when he rifled past goalkeeper Sam Warrell from a tight angle.

Kiddy full-back Mark Janes rose well to head home and level matters but Toby Holmes restored the lead just before the break and completed his hat-trick 11 minutes into the second period.

Matty Holmes said: "Lee Francis wasn't feeling well but played 70 minutes and Billy Maybury played with a thigh strain, so we've got niggles, but the boys still put on a good performance against a very good Kidlington side.

"They can play and caused us a few problems but we defended well."

Asked if he had been surprised by his side's strong season, the boss added: "Yes and no. If you set a team up and they believe in what you are trying to do, you would like to think they can execute a game plan because they are an intelligent bunch.

"You don't have to have the best footballers in the world if you have players who can do jobs in certain areas and our front four can cause havoc for any team."

Magpies: Benfield, Maybury, Cole (Penny, 79), Arnold, Oldring, Kellaway, Francis (Stokoe, 71), L Holmes, T Holmes, Walker (Bayston, 80), Lovell. Unused subs: Davidson, Walsh (g/k).