VERWOOD Town boss Adie Arnold believes his club should aspire to mirror the progress of Dorset rivals Christchurch.
Arnold’s Potters visit Priory for a Wessex Premier derby showdown at Hurn Bridge tonight (7.45pm).
In their first top-flight campaign following promotion last term, Verwood have enjoyed a solid season and sit in 15th position.
Christchurch go into the clash still holding an outside chance of claiming title glory and they remain strong contenders for a top-three finish.
Arnold reckons Graham Kemp’s outfit set the standard for other teams in the area.
The Verwood manager told the Daily Echo: “Christchurch are the benchmark for us. I think we are run in a very similar way, as a club.
“We work in a very similar way with no budget, we bring through youngsters and we have progressed slowly.
“Both clubs have good committees, both clubs are run well and neither club throws around money they haven’t got.
“I always look to Christchurch as a benchmark and you have to admire what they do.
“I have got a lot of respect for Graham and what he has achieved at Christchurch.”
Priory will be without suspended defender Ross Lloyd but Chris Dillon is expected to receive international clearance in time to feature in the match.
Christchurch boss Kemp said: “It will be a tough game for us and Adie will be pleased with the way things have gone this season.”
Priory: (from) Frampton, Thompson, Crutchley, Legg, Magookin, Yelland, Smith, Griffin, Cook, Osborne, Cornick, Burden, Cullen, Puckett, Dand, Dillon, Collins.
Potters: (from) Lynch, O’Sullivan, Dear, Evans, Dyer, Webb, Haskell, Satterley, Hall, Long, Edwards, Elysee, Thoroughgood, Oldring, Kelly, Saxby, Hill, Jack Lovell.
- In the Southern League Premier Division, Bashley host Chesham United at the Recreation Ground.
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