Killick wary of Swindon title threat (From Bournemouth Echo)

Killick wary of Swindon title threat

6:33pm Wednesday 13th March 2013 in Non league football By Andy Mitchell

MANAGER Tom Killick has played down talk of Poole Town being champions-elect by claiming: “We still have it all to do.”

The Dolphins extended to four points their lead at the top of Southern Division One South & West with a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Sholing last night after spending much of the second half on the back foot.

But despite a fifth win in six league matches, the Tatnam boss maintains that third-placed Swindon Supermarine, who Poole have to face twice and travel to on Saturday, are still serious title contenders.

Marine go into tonight’s match with Didcot Town 13 points behind the Dolphins with three games in hand and with Killick facing a defensive crisis ahead of Saturday's crunch clash, he is taking nothing for granted.

Killick told the Daily Echo: “Swindon are our nearest competitors. I have seen them play and they are capable of beating us twice which would put the whole thing in the melting pot.

“If we can get two positive results against them then I think we would be looking very strong, but at the moment I feel we still have it all to do.

“It may be optimistic to think Sam Clarke will be back for Saturday but we will be without Keith Emmerson and Simon Baines is working in America for the rest of the season.

“We have got to try to get someone in. Suddenly, we are depleted, physically and defensively, and need to supplement the team.”

Dolphins started brightly last night and deserved their lead when Marvin Brooks thumped home a far-post header from Steve Devlin’s corner, but the Boatmen levelled through Charlie Smeeton’s rocket before the break.

However, Poole hit back with substitute Michael Charles glancing home a header from Devlin’s free-kick before the hosts saw out the game comfortably.

Dolphins: Hutchings, Emmerson, Spetch, Dibba, Walker, Kelly (Richardson, 87), Burbidge, Devlin, Byerley (Cann, 61), Cane (Charles, 56), Brooks. Unused subs: S Brown, Baines.