WARY boss Tom Killick hopes the one that got away will not come back to bite Poole Town in Saturday’s opening home match against Paulton Rovers (3pm).

Winger Jon Davies switched from Dolphins to their newly-promoted rivals after travelling from his Trowbridge home to Dorset got too much towards the end of last season.

Killick confessed he had battled in vain to retain the former AFC Totton winger and warned that some familiar faces in the Rovers ranks would ensure Poole’s promotion credentials receive a stern examination at Tatnam.

“I have a few regrets over Jon,” admitted Killick. “He has unbelievable ability, certainly above Southern Premier standard, but it didn’t quite work out for him here.

“I don’t think Poole supporters saw the best of him and I really wanted him to stay this summer because I knew he would have plenty to offer.

“In the end, the travelling was too much for him and we couldn’t work anything out. You just have to hope he doesn’t come back to haunt us because we know all about his capabilities and he is too good not to be a threat.

“He won’t be the only one, there are three or four of Paulton’s players that stand out from our South & West days. Some people may think it’s an easier game because they are new to the league but they will be tough opponents.”

Lewis Tallack should return from injury but Keith Emmerson and Marvin Brooks (both ankle) remain sidelined. Young striker Dan Munday, who bagged a hat-trick for Poole’s under-21s yesterday, comes into contention.

Dolphins: (from) Hutchings, Lindsay, Martin, Walker, Whisken, Petteffer, Burbidge, Devlin, O’Hanlon, Preston, Jermyn, Tallack, Dibba, Lowes, Davis, Roberts, Munday, Manley.

  • Bashley will be looking for their first goals and points of the season when they host much-fancied Merthyr Town in Southern South & West (3pm).

Bash: (from) Maher, King, Hall, Oldring, Thoroughgood, Cullingford, Morse, Bosma, L Speechley-Price, Brading, Aurow, Roushbaiani, Farren, Morris, Field.