New Milton joint-boss Andy Bye has welcomed the unpredictability of the Wessex Premier this season.

Surprise leaders Poppies, together with Poole, Bemerton, Wimborne and Fareham, all look like genuine championship challengers, while only four points separate the bottom seven, including Bye’s New Milton.

Bye, whose strugglers host Bemerton at Fawcett’s Field tomorrow (3pm), said: “It just shows how fine the line is.

“In the past six weeks, I think we’ve lost five games by one goal, four of which have been 1-0.

“Last season, Poppies and us were quite evenly matched but they’ve got off to a great start this season and we’re second from bottom.

“It’s refreshing to see Poppies on top and Bemerton up there as well.

“With Cuthbury0 slipping up against Romsey again and Poole having a bit of a wobble, suddenly the league is looking a bit less predictable.

“That’s great for everyone. It makes it more interesting, both at the top and bottom.

“Poole will still be the team to beat over the course of the season, but it’s just nice to have a bit of variety.

“From our own point of view, we have to get our act together and get out of the trouble we’re in.”

Bye is hoping duel-registered Eastleigh goalkeeper Dan Loader can replace Sam Webb, who sustained a foot injury during New Milton’s 1-0 home setback against Blackfield and Langley on Tuesday.

New Milton: (from) Webb, Loader, Winzar, Campbell, Clarke, Mead, Byers, Kenna, L Walker, Booker, Odeh, Quirk, Gunn, Quinn, White, Roberts, Colman.

• Poole have defender Carl Poore (ban) and midfielder Ryan Dovell (cup-tied) back in their squad for the visit of Romsey Town to Tatnam, while Wimborne Town host Alresford Town at Cuthbury and Poppies entertain Alton at Victoria Park.

In-form Hamworthy United travel to Moneyfields without suspended trio Ollie Cherrett, James Merritt and Chia Khider.

Poole Town: (from) Jones, Gill, Whitley, Dibba, S Smith, Lloyd, Hubbard, Skelton, Sturgess, Preston, T Smith, Brown, Culliford, Cook, Ackerman, Robinson, Poore, Dovell, Richardson.

Wimborne: (from) Hutchings, Wilson, Roast, Lockyer, M Walker, N Walker, Wyatt, Green, Stokoe, Joyce, Whitcher, James, McCormick, Thomson, Haysom, Walker-Harris.

Poppies: (from) Harvell, Arnold, Crutcher, Byrne, Peprah-Annan, P Roberts, Phillipson-Masters, Blake, Saadi, Cann, Wrixton, Aimson, Glenister, Toy, Hall, Vaughan.

Hamworthy United: (from) Shergold, Yelland, Horlock, Llewelyn, R Jackson, Crow, Vavrecka, Cannie, Mutch, Mekchiche, Dancer, E Roberts, Toghill, S Browne, Rule.

• Verwood are without Matt Newbery for their Division One visit Whitchurch.

Verwood: (from) Fawcett, Murray, Lynch, Arnold, Evans, Goodall, Martin Newbery, Baguley, Kelly, Dyer, Elysee, Homer, Jamison, Faulkner, Mills.