TOM Killick challenged Poole Town to go toe-to-toe with big-spenders Ebbsfleet United on the opening day of the National South campaign.

Dolphins’ league fixtures were yesterday released with last season’s defeated play-off finalists first up at Stonebridge Road on Saturday, August 6.

“You can’t describe it as a gentle introduction,” joked boss Killick, who guided Poole to the Southern League Premier Division title last term.

“I read they had slightly cut their £1.2million-a-year playing budget and had just jetted off to Portugal for pre-season training. We were at Whitecliff Rec one night.

“We are under no illusions there is a big disparity financially but we have come into the league to be competitive and I expect us to be competitive against Ebbsfleet.

“They are well-supported and have a good ground. In a strange way I’m quite happy with it.”

Poole face Gosport Borough twice over Christmas as Killick locks horns with Alex Pike, who he played under when Wimborne Town won the FA Vase in 1992.

Killick added: “Basingstoke and Havant dropped out of the league last season and we have lost Dorchester and Weymouth, so Gosport was the festive fixture we were hoping for.

“We should get good crowds and distance-wise, it’s not too bad.”

POOLE TOWN LEAGUE FIXTURES

August – 6: Ebbsfleet (a), Tue 9: Maidenhead (h, 7.45). 13: Bishop’s Stortford (h). Tue 16: Weston-super-Mare (a, 7.45). 20: Margate (h). 27: Hemel Hempstead (a). Mon 29: Bath (h).

September – 3: Wealdstone (a). Tue 6: St Albans (a, 7.45). 10: Eastbourne (h). Tue 13: Truro (a, 7.45). 24: Welling (h).

October – 8: Hampton & Richmond (a). 15: Oxford (h). 22: Hungerford (a). 29: East Thurrock (h).

November – 5: Chelmsford (h). 12: Concord (a). 19: Whitehawk (h).

December – 3: Dartford (a). 17: W'stone (h). Mon 26: Gosport (a).

January – Sun 1: Gosport (h). 7: Eastbourne (a). 14: Margate (a). 21: St Albans (h). 28: Ebbsfleet (h).

February – 4: Maidenhead (a). 11: Weston-super-Mare (h). 18: Bishop’s Stortford (a). 25: East Thurrock (a).

March – 4: Hungerford (h). 11: Welling (a). 18: Hampton & Richmond (h). Tue 21: Truro (h, 7.45). 25: Oxford City (a).

April – 1: Concord (h). 8: Chelmsford (a). 15: Hemel Hempstead (h). Mon 17: Bath (a). 22: Whitehawk (a). 29: Dartford (h).

*Kick-offs all Saturday and 3pm unless otherwise stated. Fixtures subject to change.