BUOYANT boss Graham Kemp believes new look Hamworthy United can exceed his expectations this season after finally closing in on the capture of Micky Hubbard.

Kemp is in the throes of boosting his burgeoning Hammers squad with the 27-year-old midfield maestro after persuading Blackfield & Langley manager Kevin Gibbens to sanction the move.

Having served the Watersiders with a seven-day approach for Hubbard earlier in the campaign, Kemp could not return with a second swoop this season without his counterpart's cooperation.

United's manager, appointed in November, has already added prolific striker Russell Cook, ex-Cherries midfielder James Rowe and defender Shaun Brian, moves which have coincided with a fine run of form since taking the hot seat.

And with the former Wimborne favourite, a star of Branksome Railway's run to the FA Sunday Cup quarter-finals, set to join the County Ground revolution, Kemp wants Hamworthy to surpass his initial top-10 target this season.

Kemp told the Daily Echo: “I have had to reassess what we want from our season with the signings we have made and the emergence of players who were already at the club. Micky's signing will be the icing on the cake.

“Having been around the Wessex for a long time, I look round the dressing room now and think we have put together a top six side.

“We had a lot of ground to make up and the top 10 would still be a remarkable achievement from where we were but you have to aim high.”

On Hubbard's arrival, Kemp added: “He has always been a winner and was a massive part of what Poole Town achieved in the Wessex.

“It is a good time for Micky to join us. Things didn't work out as he would have hoped at Blackfield and he recognises Hamworthy as a forward-thinking club where things are starting to move.

“He's naturally driven and has the knowhow to put into practice on the pitch what we're trying to teach off it. He can only enhance the quality we already have here.

"I have to thank Kevin (Gibbens) who is a football man like me and understands it is no good keeping an unhappy player.

"Everything has been agreed on the phone, we are just waiting on the paperwork now."