POOLE Town boss Tom Killick believes his side’s convincing 4-0 victory at Dorset rivals Wimborne Town sent a message about Dolphins’ desire.

A Richard Gillespie double added to earlier goals from Jez Bedford and Marvin Brooks, as Poole prevailed in the first league meeting between the sides since 2013.

Relegated from National South last season, Killick saw the resounding success as a signal of intent from his troops – who overcame a Wimborne side operating two leagues below them last season.

He told the Daily Echo: “It’s no secret, we don’t really want to be in this league but we are in it and we need to compete in all the games. There are lot of local games and we don’t want to be losing any of them.

“I felt Wimborne looked fairly broken by the end and that’s what you set out to achieve.

“There has been a lot said by people inside and outside of the club and it was a good statement for us in terms that we are still alive and kicking.

“I felt we did both things really well in terms of aggression and work-ethic when they had the ball, which restricted them to very little.

“When we had the ball I felt, particularly in the second half, we retained it well and it ended up being quite comfortable.

“Being relegated was a big blow to everyone’s confidence. I think we are recovering from it.

“It doesn’t happen straight away but, when you put in a performance like that, it goes a long way because both sides of the game we did so well.”

In front of a healthy crowd of 918, Dolphins drew first blood against their arch rivals on 24 minutes.

Despite queries over whether a corner to the visitors should have been awarded by referee Andrew Evans, the ball was delivered to the head of skipper Jamie Whisken, who flicked on for Bedford to do the rest.

Magpies’ best chance came just before the break. Toby Holmes latched on to a classy through ball from ex-Dolphin Luke Burbidge but the striker’s drilled effort was parried away by Poole stopper Luke Cairney.

That was as it got for the hosts however, as Poole moved into top gear.

Bedford found the head of Brooks, who appeared to tweak his hamstring as he nodded in to make it 2-0.

His replacement Gillespie needed no introduction to join the party however.

The former Bashley hitman provided two trademark close-range finishes to ensure derby spoils were heading back to Black Gold Stadium.

Reacting to his side’s defeat, Wimborne boss Matty Holmes added: “We changed the shape at 2-0 when the second one went in because we had to try to get more bodies forward.

“That’s why we got open and why they found it easier in the second half to play a few more passes.

“The damage was done where we couldn’t quite cope with their physicality and power play as the second half went on.”

Magpies: Benfield, Tallack, Penny, Davidson, Arnold, Kellaway (Stokoe, 74), Maybury, Francis (Young, 69), T Holmes, Burbidge, Lee. Unused subs: Lovell, Walker, Owen.

Dolphins: Cairney, Alawode-Williams, Leslie-Smith, Spetch, Whisken, Moore (Smeeton, 70), Griffin, Pettefer, Clarke (Balmer, 80), Brooks (Gillespie, 62), Bedford. Unused subs: Grange, Hutchings (g/k).