BOSS Matty Holmes heaped praise on Wimborne Town ace James Stokoe after he brought up a century of goals for the club.

Stokoe smashed home a penalty to reach the milestone during Magpies' 8-2 Dorset Senior Cup victory over Gillingham Town on Tuesday.

Holmes expressed his admiration for the former Bashley man, who initially arrived at Cuthbury in June 2013.

He told the Daily Echo: “He had been stuck on 99 goals for a few weeks.

“We got a penalty and Toby (Holmes) let him take it. Stokesy stuck it right in the top corner really well and it was wonderful for him. In any team and at any club, to get 100 goals is really some feat. Hats off to him.

“He has been great since he has been with us. He has that maturity about him which, as a young team, we need.

“We know with Stokesy we can play him up front, in midfield or even at centre-back.

“We can use him where we feel fit because we know we can move him around if we get a few injuries.

"He has never moaned once and just gets on with his job.

“He is a great character and someone you want to keep around for years because you know you are going to get 100 per cent out of him.“

Wimborne turn their attentions back to their Southern League West campaign on Saturday, when they entertain Shortwood United (3pm).

Holmes is hopeful of having Scott Arnold back in contention as he continues to nurse a groin problem.

Asked for an update on his skipper, the Magpies boss replied: “It is an ongoing situation we have to monitor.

“We hope he is in the squad but we think it will be touch and go.

“He feels he is fit but the physio and myself can see he is not quite right. He just wants to play every game but that is where he has to show that maturity about the team. We cannot afford for him to be out for more than a couple of weeks because he is an important player for us.”

Having been rested in midweek, midfielder Luke Holmes is poised to return against a Shortwood side who are currently 19th in the table – six points behind Wimborne.

“We have got to keep being consistent and make sure we keep tightening up defensively,” added manager Holmes.

“Moving forward, you want to get as many points as possible before Christmas.

“It’s important we keep our focus and try to do a good job.”

Ben Walker was set to undergo an ankle assessment having picked up a knock on Tuesday.

Victory could take Magpies, who have recorded 17 points from 13 games so far, into the top 10.

Magpies: (from) Evans, Walker, Cole, Davidson, Oldring, Maybury, Stokoe, Francis, Holmes, Burbidge, Bayston, Tilsted, Benfield, Kellaway, Penny, Lovell, Arnold, L Holmes.