Derby specialist Charles aiming to down Magpies (From Bournemouth Echo)

Derby specialist Charles aiming to down Magpies

7:00am Tuesday 1st January 2013 in Non league football

DERBY-day specialist Michael Charles is desperate to become an instant hit with the Poole faithful – by continuing his big-game heroics.

Charles is hoping to feature when the Dolphins visit arch rivals Wimborne Town in what is likely to be a feisty skirmish at Cuthbury today (3pm).

The ex-AFC Totton striker is no stranger to derby success having struck as a teenage debutant for Farnborough against their neighbours Aldershot.

That showdown was played in the Conference and in front of a bumper crowd and Charles is also relishing his first taste of Dorset rivalry.

The 25-year-old recent recruit told the Daily Echo: “I made my debut in the Conference derby when Farnborough played Aldershot and I scored. Hopefully, my luck of scoring in derbies continues. It was incredible. It was in front of about 3,000 to 3,500 fans and I was 16 or 17.

“It helps massively for your own confidence as well as becoming a fans’ favourite. Scoring in a derby like that was the easiest way.”

Poole boss Tom Killick stoked the fires ahead of the teams’ last clash with controversial comments prior to Dolphins’ 3-0 cup loss at Cuthbury.

Charles revealed he had done his homework on the game and that he was looking forward to playing a part.

He added: “The first time I went down for training the other week, I realised how close the clubs were.

“I knew they were close but I could see that it was the same sort of thing as when I was at Farnborough and we played Aldershot.

“It is that sort of derby, which is good because it always brings out the best in the football and the fans.”

Title favourites Poole, who have not played since December 18 due to three postponements, have won five in a row in Division One South & West.

Wimborne manager Steve Cuss told his club’s website: “Poole are second in the table and doing well, so we know it is going to be tough.”

Shaun Brian (ankle) and Jason Harvell (suspended) miss out for Wimborne, while Poole captain Michael Walker serves a one-game ban.

Magpies: (from) Ackerman, Arnold, Cole, Maybury, Peprah-Annan, Blake, Sainsbury, Davidson, Hubbard, Kemble, Smith, Webb, Roast, Costello, Gill, Jeffes, Singleton.

Dolphins: (from) Hutchings, Clarke, Baines, Dibba, Emmerson, Spetch, Brooks, Howes, Devlin, Burbidge, Preston, Charles, Byerley, Kelly, Richardson, S Brown, T Brown.

• Bashley will be aiming to avoid a fifth successive Southern Premier Division defeat when they host in-form Gosport Borough (3pm).