SKIPPER Scott Arnold insisted the players must shoulder responsibility for Wimborne’s stuttering start to their promotion quest.

The ambitious Cuthbury outfit wanted to lay strong foundations for an assault on the Southern South & West’s top five after significantly strengthening their squad over the summer.

But two wins from their opening eight league matches has left Steve Cuss’s men labouring in mid-table while the prospect of any FA Cup prize money quickly went up in smoke following a 3-1 home defeat to Hamworthy United.

The Magpies’ latest reverse came on Wednesday with a 2-0 defeat at table-topping Swindon Supermarine, a result which prompted Arnold’s call to arms.

Wimborne’s captain told the Daily Echo: “We’ve certainly failed to hit our targets so far and while we haven’t had the rub of the green we really need to get our season going.

“It has been tough and a few of the games could have gone either way but it’s just not happening for us in front of goal.

"The buck stops with us as players. The manager brought us in and, so far, we have let him down.

“The only way out of this is to work hard and just play our way through it and I am still confident we’ll be there of thereabouts this season.”

Magpies are near full strength for the visit of Stratford Town tomorrow (3pm). Adam Costello is expected to return from illness but Ollie Phillipson-Masters (back) is a doubt. 

Magpies: (from) Harvell, Arnold, Maybury, Wilson, Brian, Blake, Griffin, Kemble, Hubbard, Davidson, Gamble, Webb, Stokoe, Costello, Whitley, Roast, Ackerman.

In the FA Vase second qualifying round, Hamworthy United travel to Bristol to face lower league outfit Cribbs FC, while Verwood Town make the trip to league rivals Horndean (both 3pm).

Winning clubs receive £800 in prize money.

Hammers go into their clash on the back of Wednesday’s 1-1 draw with Follands Sports in the Wessex Premier. Steele Saunders was United’s scorer.

Christchurch, who have a bye in the Vase, and Poppies have a free weekend.

Hammers: (from) Knights, Biles, Lockyer, Legg, Horlock, Hester, Lanahan, Chudy, Penny, Saunders, Bassiriki, Ayling, Tayler, Stacey, Pekun, Claremont, Sturgess, Manuel.

Potters: (from) Sim, Evans, Murray, Oldring, Kelly, Dyer, N Saxby, Gajic, Munday Dan, Lovell, Homer, Munday Dar, Kimber, D Saxby, Gilham, Darnton.