MATTY Holmes admitted he had never wanted to lose Sam Bayston – but expressed his delight after re-signing the winger this week.

Last summer Bayston joined Wessex Premier outfit Hamworthy United in an attempt to get regular football.

However, following the departure of boss Callum Brooks to Dorchester Town last week, the 24-year-old decided to explore other avenues.

And Magpies boss Holmes jumped at the opportunity to bring him back to Cuthbury.

Holmes told the Daily Echo: "We did not want him to leave in the summer but Sam wanted to play football.

"We suggested dual signing but the manager at the time at Hamworthy, Callum Brooks, did not want to do that. They wanted him as their player only, which is fine.

"Sam made a difficult decision to leave but, as it panned out during the season for us, we could have given him some game time.

"He decided to sign at Hamworthy for the season but we got wind last week, with Callum gone, that Sam wanted to move on and it was an ideal opportunity.

"We are delighted to get him back. He knows the way we play and did all the work with us over the past couple of seasons. He is a good acquisition."

Bayston first joined Wimborne in 2015 from Poole Town but suffered an injury-ravaged three-season spell.

Holmes revealed the signing had been sparked in part by fears around "a lack of bodies" in his squad for the crucial final eight matches of the season.

"When Sam was with us before, he came off the bench and scored a goal or two," said Holmes. "When he did start, he did nothing wrong and gave a good balance to the team.

"We had been sad to see him go but he made that decision.

"When we knew he was available, it was an obvious one to bring him back into the fold.

"He is a great option off the bench. We would not have brought him back if we did not think he could affect the team."

Wimborne on Saturday welcome Southern League South leaders Weymouth to KoolPak Stadium (3pm).

Magpies sit 13th and five points above the relegation zone but have lost their past three matches against Hartley Wintney, Salisbury and Met Police.

"It is a great opportunity for us against the league leaders but it will be another tough game," said Holmes.

"We have been on a disappointing run but you need to take into consideration who we played.

"We knew this was a difficult set of games and we need to find a way to pick up points.

"You need to be mindful that you can easily get dragged back into the relegation scrap if you do not get results, which is something we need to start doing."

Holmes will be without Franklyn Clarke and Matty Oldring, who are both suspended, for the clash with Mark Molesley's Weymouth.

Meanwhile, on Saturday Poole Town are hoping to bounce back from defeat against Chesham when they host Merthyr (3pm).