TOM Killick expects St Neots to finally reap the rewards of flashing the cash this season – but insists Poole Town's trip to the big spenders holds no fear.

The Dolphins boss takes his Southern League title favourites to Rowley Park tomorrow (3pm) on the back of a strong start against fancied duo Kettering and Hungerford.

And Killick reckons the resilience displayed in earning two clean sheets in the opening week will be required against a Saints side currently priced as third favourites for the crown.

Killick told the Daily Echo: “You would probably have to say St Neots have underachieved when you consider what they have to play with but we have painful recent experience of their strengths.

“Their resources seem to have no bounds. Last season I counted six top strikers in their squad so they are a force to be reckoned with.

“Since their current manager took over midway through last season, their results have picked up significantly and I would expect them to challenge over the course of the season.

“That said, we have confidence in our squad and a good start behind us. If we can replicate our performance levels of our first two games I am confident we can get a result.

“No one can say we have had a gentle introduction to the campaign but if we show the same resilience as we did at Hungerford on Monday then St Neots will find it hard to break us down.”

Killick hopes to have midfielder Jamie Gleeson (dead leg) back but admits tomorrow’s game may come too soon, while Carl Pettefer is unlikely to travel with the birth of his child expected imminently.

Defender Will Spetch emerged unscathed from an under-21 fixture on Wednesday but Killick is keen not to rush his comeback.

“Will has not taken part in pre-season with the rest of the squad so he is probably not fit enough to be involved at this stage,” added Killick.

Dolphins: (from) Hutchings, Tallack, Lindsay, Whisken, Walker, Devlin, Brooks, Holmes, Burbidge, Connell, Gillespie, Davidson, Roberts, McCarthy, Gleeson, Spetch, Pettefer.

  • Midfielders Jon Blake and Franklyn Clarke could make a welcome return as Wimborne Town target their first Southern South & West points of the season against North Leigh at Cuthbury tomorrow (3pm). 

Magpies: (from) Harvell, Arnold, Oliver, Maybury, Costello, Blake, Griffin, Wilson, Stokoe, Gamble, Preston, Clarke, Biles, Elliott, Waters, Turner, Kellaway, Roast.