NON-LEAGUE legend Taffy Richardson has tipped Charlie Austin for a bright future – but only if he continues to put in the necessary work.

Veteran Richardson has been impressed with the form of his young Poole Town team-mate so far this term.

Since joining Dolphins from Hungerford Town in pre-season, Austin has been on fire, with his goals a major factor behind Poole’s breathtaking assault on the Wessex Premier Division.

And Richardson has had the best seat in the house to watch Austin’s goalscoring exploits, as he continues to orchestrate proceedings from central midfield.

The former Wimborne Town skipper firmly believes that Austin can achieve big things if he continues to improve at his current rate.

“People call him big time Charlie, but he’s as good as gold,” Richardson told the Echo.

“He gets whacked a lot but just gets up and scores a second later – I like that as well.

“If he knuckles down he’s got all the attributes to be a good player.”

With the words of praise, Richardson has also urged caution and thinks it’s too early to judge Austin, who added to his growing reputation with a hat-trick in Wednesday’s 4-2 win at Brading Town.

“He’s got 20-odd goals but he still hasn’t won anything and it’s only been half a season,” he said. “You can’t base anything on half a season.

“I’d love to see him go on because it’s nice to say you’ve played with those good players.”

The key to his success, thinks Richardson, is the ability to score all types of goals.

He said: “People notice players who run by people and smash the ball in from 40 yards. We’ve got Stuart Brown to do that.

“But Charlie Austin scores goals in the six-yard box, then smashes one from the edge of the box.

“He’s always in a place where he can score. He puts himself in the place of maximum opportunity.”

Austin will again lead from the front as Poole look to continue their title push at Fareham Town tomorrow (3pm).

Richardson is in a race to overcome a thigh problem and manager Tom Killick is already without Aaron Skelton (unavailable) and Michael Walker (suspended).

Utility man Sean Hogan is named in the squad after returning from university for the festive period, and Richardson thinks the club’s strength in depth is an important factor.

He said: “A few years ago at Poole Town you could probably pick the team, unless there were any injuries.

“But now you’ve got to play well every game, otherwise there are six lads there to take your place.”

See tomorrow’s Echo for a feature on Charlie Austin.

Poole Town: (from) Harvell, Hogan, Whitley, Dibba, Browne, Richardson, Hubbard, Sturgess, Bailey-Pearce, Gill, Brown, Smith, Austin, Wyatt, Fisk, Spetch.

New Milton Town will be aiming to bounce back from Tuesday’s 4-2 defeat against Poppies when they host Brading Town at Fawcett’s Field (3pm).

Midfielder Warren Kenna is suspended and keeper Nick Jones is injured.

New Milton Town: (from) Clifton-Moore, Anderson, Woods, R Chengadu, K Chengadu, Grace, Coleman, Pidgley, Urquhart, Burt, Holland, Cox, Sampays, Woolner, Allen.

Improving Poppies host Lymington Town at Victoria Park (3pm).