POOLE Town boss Tom Killick has put aside Southern League rivalries to express his respect for long-serving counterpart Steve Riley.

The managers will be in opposing dugouts tonight when Bashley host Dolphins in the first round of the Red Insure Cup at the Recreation Ground.

Two of the leading bosses on the local non-league circuit, the duo have both overseen periods of success for their respective clubs in recent seasons.

While Killick led Poole to a Wessex League championship treble and promotion to Division One South & West, Riley claimed the step four title before going on to establish Bashley in the Premier Division.

Speaking ahead of this evening’s showdown (7.45pm), Killick told the Daily Echo: “I have always had a lot of admiration for Steve, as a player and now a manager.

“He has had times where he has had more resources than at other times but, whatever the circumstances, he seems to produce a really competitive team.

“He really has established them as a force in that league. He has got an exceptional record at Bashley.”

Riley, who is predicting a tough match against Bashley’s lower division rivals, includes new recruit Jake Rowley in his squad after signing him from Bournemouth Poppies. But Luke Whitley, Mark Gamble and Tom Hill are all suspended.

Poole will be without central defenders Michael Walker (suspension) and Lamin Dibba (knee), but Lewis Clarke is available following a three-match ban and Glenn Howes could return after a hamstring problem.

Bash: (from) Prodomo, Smith, Middleton, Lloyd, Finlay, Allen, Vokes, Green, Stokoe, Oliver, Hester, Penny, Foster, Burgess, Rowley, Digby.

Dolphins: (from) Hutchings, S Clarke, Richardson, Spetch, Gill, Smith, Hubbard, Brooks, Cook, Preston, Cann, Joyce, Skelton, Costello, L Clarke, Howes.

• Poppies launch their defence of the Wessex League Cup against Stockbridge at Victoria Park tonight.

Poppies: (from) Frampton, Daysh, Taylor, M Blake, Crutcher, J Blake, Ingram, Pinder, Ewen, Warren, Hogan, Keeler, Phillipson-Masters, Roast, Byrne, Saadi, Vaughan.

• Graham Kemp could rest some of his in-form Christchurch team for their home cup clash against Warminster Town.

Kemp has elevated four of the club’s reserve players for the game against the Division One outfit.

Priory: (from) Kearn, Dand, Legg, Crutchley, Brian, Burden, M Smith, Fairbrother, Osborne, Burt, Griffin, Lovell, Swann, Roberts, C Smith, Kittle, Thompson, Johnson, Morgan, Reed.