WIMBORNE boss Matty Holmes spoke of his respect for the “big juggling act” undertaken by Weymouth’s Mark Molesley.

The two managers are set to face off for the second time in a week when Magpies make the trip to Bob Lucas Stadium on Saturday (3pm).

Molesley, who has guided the Terras to the top of Southern League South, also doubles up as Carl Fletcher’s assistant with Cherries under-21s.

Holmes told the Daily Echo: “I came across Mark a few years ago when he was playing, then he had some injuries as a player, got into the coaching role and got involved at Bournemouth.

“It’s a big juggling act he has because he’s got the under-21s in the week and then has Weymouth. It’s tough for him with it being all-out football and combining the two jobs.

“Obviously the under-21s at Bournemouth is a pro setup and he has a big responsibility in developing those boys.

“But I think he has done great at Weymouth and he has a really good backroom team with Paul Maitland and Tom Prodomo.

“He has assembled a good squad and backroom staff, which you need to succeed at this level.

“You have to be able to delegate and organise and that I think is the secret of a being a really good manager, which he seems to have.”

Wimborne got the better of a much-changed Weymouth line-up on Tuesday with a 2-0 home victory in the first round of the Southern League Cup.

But with the Terras flying high with five wins from eight in the league this season, the Cuthbury boss believes Molesley’s men will be one of the division’s top outfits.

“I think they will be one of the favourites for the league,” he added. “If Mark keeps his players fit they should be up there with a couple of others.

“But the proof will be in the pudding. They seem to be going well, hopefully they won’t get too many injuries and will keep going.

“It’s a big club down there. I had a spell there for a month under Stuart Morgan when I was 18. I really enjoyed it.

“They were in the Conference at the time and I had just come back from New Zealand. We played at Macclesfield and Sutton United and it was brutal but a great experience for me.”

Wimborne, who have just four points from their opening seven fixtures, will be without Jack Lovell.

The forward is set to go for a scan on his knee after sustaining an injury against Beaconsfield.

But the likes of Luke Burbidge, Billy Maybury and Matt Oldring are all poised to return after being rested in midweek.

Magpies: (from) Collins, Lee, Penny, Francis, Davidson, Arnold, Stokoe, L Holmes, Kellaway, T Holmes, Shepherd, Young, Owen, Burbidge, Oldring, Maybury, Benfield.