MICKY Hubbard crossed the Dorset divide and insisted new club Wimborne Town had the potential to match arch rivals Poole.

The set-piece specialist swapped Tatnam for Cuthbury after agreeing to join Magpies on Wednesday night.

A three-times Wessex League title-winner and promotion hero with Poole Town, Hubbard scored 31 goals in 187 appearances during a successful spell with Dolphins.

The former Cherries apprentice had seen his opportunities become more limited following the arrivals of midfield trio Glenn Howes, Keith Emmerson and Steve Devlin.

But the cultured playmaker insists he can help Wimborne, currently struggling in their second season in Southern League Division One South & West, reach the level of play-off contenders Poole.

Hubbard told the Daily Echo: “I have worked with Steve Cuss before and I believe they will push for things and be as good as Poole over the years.

“I have done all I can at Poole and they have treated me really well. It has been a really good club for me, they sorted me out with football and I felt I was improving.

“But some things weren’t working how I felt they should and I wanted a new challenge. I believe if you are training and playing hard then it doesn’t matter who you are – you should be playing.

“I thank Poole and hope I have served them well, but it was time for a new challenge and I am looking forward to it.”

Wimborne manager Cuss said: “Micky is not only a quality player, he is also a winner.

“He is impressed with what we are trying to do at the club and our plans for the future.”

Poole boss Tom Killick added: “He has been a brilliant player for us over the past four years and he has played a really big part, particularly during the Wessex League success we had.

“But it probably reached a point where he wasn’t likely to figure regularly in the starting 11 and he wanted to play every week.

“I am a little bit surprised at the timing as we are in contention for the play-offs, but we wish him well, and it was probably the right move for him.”

Hubbard is set to make his Wimborne debut when Magpies travel to Halesowen Town tomorrow (3pm).

Ex-Bideford goalkeeper Grant Fisher has been drafted in by Poole to cover for the unavailable Nick Hutchings in their home clash against Didcot.

In the Premier Division, Bashley will be aiming to bounce back from their 5-0 defeat at Stourbridge when they host Leamington.

Magpies: (from) Harvell, Arnold, Cole, Roast, Jamison, Peprah-Annan, Cook, Davidson, Magookin, Bajandouh, Webb, Ward, Taafe, Kemble, Jeffes, Hill, Hubbard.

Dolphins: (from) Fisher, Clarke, Gill, Walker, Baggridge, Emmerson, Spetch, Richardson, Howes, Devlin, Preston, Brooks, Cann, Joyce, S Smith, Beasley.

Bash: (from) Kearn, Smith, Vokes, Finlay, Middleton, Whitley, Green, Penny, Casey, Allen, Stokoe, Gamble, Oliver, Foster, Ferrett, Digby.