STEVE Claridge saw Toby Holmes smash through the 50-goal barrier for the season and then delivered his expert assessment of the Wimborne hotshot: “He’s too good for this level.”

Holmes plundered his third hat-trick in five Southern League West games as Magpies registered a 4-2 victory over Claridge’s high-flying Salisbury at Cuthbury on Monday.

It took to 51 his personal haul for the season and propelled him to the top of the Southern League goalscorers’ charts as Wimborne maintained their own promotion bid.

Holmes moved to Cuthbury from Dorchester in June 2016 and netted 31 league goals in his first season as Wimborne ended the campaign 11th – their highest finish in club history.

His exploits this season have put them on course to eclipse their 2016-17 heroics and allowed them to mount a push for the Premier Division, with Magpies currently fourth ahead of Saturday's trip to Mangotsfield (3pm).

Claridge cut his teeth in non-league during spells in the 1980s with Fareham and Weymouth before going on to enjoy a fruitful career in the professional ranks.

He played in all four divisions and netted a dramatic late winner to fire Leicester to the top flight following victory over Crystal Palace in the 1996 play-off final at Wembley.

Asked for his opinion of Holmes, Claridge told the Daily Echo: “He was very good against us and, when you have someone like that, you always have a chance in games.

“He always looked dangerous and always looked like he was going to get into dangerous areas. He held up the ball well and was quick.

“We have played them twice and he was good on both occasions. He is a very good player and looks like he has a decent future in the game.

“We had Tommy Wright on loan from Sutton last season and he scored 50 goals for us. He is now doing well in the Conference so Toby has to be comparable with that.

“Wimborne will want to keep him and he can certainly play at a higher level. But only when you get there are you really tested.

“We know he can play at this level and that is not the issue. The issue is can he play at the one up from this and the one up from that and how far can he go? Only he will know that when he goes and does it.”

Holmes began to attract attention when he was banging in the goals for Parley Sports in the Dorset Premier League before having brief spells with Poole and Dorchester.

Claridge, asked whether he felt Holmes was good enough for the National League, replied: “While he hadn’t played regularly for Sutton, Tommy Wright was at that level and knew how it worked when he came to us.

“We are talking another three leagues and a totally different quality of player.

“I am not saying Toby is good enough and I am not saying he isn’t. What I am saying is that on the evidence of his performance against us, he is too good for this level.”