Battle lines drawn for the title run-in (From Bournemouth Echo)

Battle lines drawn for the title run-in

7:00am Friday 12th March 2010 in

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ASSISTANT boss Darren Powell fears Wimborne Town’s “phenomenal effort” could count for nothing in the race for the Wessex League title.

But as the mind games intensify ahead of a potentially absorbing run-in, Poole Town boss Tom Killick begs to differ with his Cuthbury rival.

Powell believes the championship could be out of Wimborne’s reach before the protagonists go head to head on April 24 – the final Saturday of the season.

Killick, however, is convinced the campaign could be set for a dramatic climax with Poole’s fixture pile-up possibly giving Wimborne an advantage.

Poole, currently two points behind the Magpies but with four games in hand, host Brockenhurst tomorrow, while Wimborne entertain Cowes Sports (both 3pm).

Killick said: “Without doubt, we have got a much harder run-in and significantly more games.

“Wimborne have got eight league games left and we’ve got 12 plus a two-legged cup semi-final.

“Wimborne have had a brilliant run of results and it is going to be nip and tuck.

“We were hoping they might have slipped up but their recent form has been so good that it is all set up for an exciting finish.”

Poole’s run-in sees them face six of the top eight – including fourth-placed Fareham twice – while Wimborne meet five of the bottom seven, starting with cellar-dwellers Cowes.

Powell said: “Although their run-in is harder, they should win the league. They are a good side and they don’t drop many points so that’s the problem we’re going to have.

“We’ve got them in the last game of the season, which, unfortunately, might be too late. We could have done with playing them sooner and tried to put a spanner in the works.

“We’re just trying to keep alive the season and, if we could take it to that last game, it would be one helluva finale.

“We’re just trying to chalk off victories. If we win our eight games, we might have a chance but would still be relying on Poole slipping up.

“Although they have got some tough games coming up, I think they will have too much for the sides they have got to play.”

Defender Lamin Dibba (back) is a major doubt for Poole, although the Dolphins welcome back Stuart Gates, Trefor Smith, Micky Hubbard and Dave Sturgess.

Perry Mullins returns to the Wimborne squad and Lee Chudy is hoping to shake off a tight hamstring. Kev James, however, is unavailable.

Cherries season ticket holders receive half-price entry to all Poole Town home games on production of their season ticket.

Poole Town: (from) Jones, Dibba, Walker, Lloyd, Whitley, Richardson, Gill, Dovell, S Smith, Brown, Preston, Sturgess, Cook, Gates, T Smith, Hubbard, Sturgess, Ackerman. Wimborne Town: (from) Hutchings, Wilson, Gilbert, Haysom, Lockyer, Stokoe, McCormick, Thomson, Barnes, Chudy, Clarke, Whitcher, Green, Mullins.