HAMWORTHY United manager Phil Simkin admits he feels sorry for striker Tom Jeffes after both Stuart Cannie and Warren Byerley hit form to keep him on the bench.

The former Bournemouth Pop-pies frontman looked set for a key role alongside in-form Byerley when he joined Hammers from Brockenhurst earlier this season.

But Cannie’s recent performances have earned him the other forward’s berth.

“They’re actually gelling quite well,” said Simkin, when asked about Byerley and Cannie.

“I feel a bit sorry for Tom because I left him out against Wimborne so Stuart could get match practice.

“But since then Stuart has taken off and Tom’s found it difficult to get back in.

“They look quite useful as a pair because Byerley comes short and Stuart goes long.”

The duo impressed as Hamworthy came from a goal down to defeat Wessex Premier basement boys Hamble 4-1 on Wednesday night.

Simkin’s men will look to build on that result when they visit Alresford Town tomorrow.

Club captain Nathan Walker is back from suspension and could feature.

Hamworthy United: (from) Peters, White, Cherrett, Walker, Gilbert, Crow, Yelland, Jackson, Dancer, McCabe, Dovell, Lockyer, Jeffes, Cannie, Byerley, Horlock, Claremont.

KEMP TARGETS MAGPIES

GRAHAM Kemp thinks his Christchurch side must use Wimborne Town as their target heading into the Christmas period.

The Priory boss believes his team can realistically challenge for a top-five place in the Wessex Premier Division, given the fact they would be just a point behind Magpies if they win two games in hand.

“We could rely on the cups and finish 10th or 11th and say ‘that has been an okay season’,” said Kemp, whose side visit lowly Horndean tomorrow.

“Or we could push on and aim for the top five. Wimborne have got to be our target, with our games in hand we can get quite close to them.”

The Hurn Bridge outfit will be without Chris Dillon, Steve Linpow, James Burden and Gareth Barnes for this weekend’s fixture.

Christchurch: (from) Kearn, Longman, Taylor, Crutchley, Dand, Wiltshire, Smith, Rideout, Green, Burrows, Cook, Osborne, Keates, Lawrence, Manning, Costello.

RHODES INJURY BLOW

Ringwood Town’s preparations for tomorrow’s Division One match against Hythe and Dibden have been dealt a huge blow with the news that keeper Dave Rhodes broke his leg in last weekend’s match.

Reserve team stopper Stuart Pearce will step in for the visit of Hythe to Long Lane (3pm).

Ringwood Town: (from) Pearce, Yeats, Greaves, Howes, Pierson, Lovell, Gogan, Sprague, Bellott, Atkins, Hardy, Fleet, Kim, Baguley, Bailey, Chappels.

Verwood, meanwhile, travel to Stockbridge looking for only their second win in 14 games.

Verwood: (from) Fawcett, L Homer, Evans, Lynch, Giles, Murray, Arnold, Martin Newbury, Faulkner, Goodall, Steve Reeves, Dyer, Elysee, Moore.