WIMBORNE boss Matty Holmes believes Toby Holmes can give Cirencester’s Ben Whitehead a run for his money for the Southern League West golden boot.

Matty Holmes was speaking after the prolific striker’s four-timer had spearheaded Magpies to a 5-0 win over North Leigh at Cuthbury on Saturday.

It took to 39 his personal tally for the season – including five hat-tricks – and saw him move to within five goals of Whitehead, who currently leads the way with 30 in the league.

He drew first blood against North Leigh with a penalty before doubling their lead on the stroke of half-time with an effort described by his manager as “the goal of the season”.

The frontman was teed up by Luke Holmes and Luke Burbidge for his third and fourth goals before Jack Lovell put the icing on Wimborne’s biggest home league win in added time.

Victory propelled Magpies to fifth place, while the visitors were reduced to 10 men following the dismissal of Dan James for two yellow cards in quick succession midway through the second half.

Boss Matty Holmes told the Daily Echo: “Toby competed for the top goalscorer award last season and has every chance again because we still have lots of games to go.

“The players around him are a handful at this level and I am delighted to have them in my team. The supply to Toby has been excellent.

“If he stays fit and keeps the hunger he has shown this season, there is no reason why he can’t challenge.

“Ben Whitehead is a quality player at this level and is doing really well and getting chances so it will be an interesting finish between those two.”

Toby Holmes, who has netted 12 times in his past eight games, won the ball on the edge of his own 18-yard box before running the length of the pitch to double their lead.

“His second goal was incredible,” said Matty Holmes. “I saw the lad (Jamie Barron) score from the halfway line for Winchester City the other day but this was the goal of the season for me.

“He showed pace, power and composure and just kept driving forward. It was right on half-time and was the killer goal because it really took the wind out of their sails.

“We did okay in the first half but were a little slow starting. We were wonderful to watch in the second half and everything came together.”

Magpies: Benfield, Penny (Walker, 69), Cole, Oldring, Maybury, Kellaway (Davidson, 64), Francis, L Holmes, T Holmes (Arnold, 79), Burbidge, Lovell. Unused subs: Kendall, Harvell (g/k).