BOSS Tom Killick has rejected the notion that Poole’s FA Cup tie with National South Chippenham Town is any sort of test of his side’s ability to compete at a higher level.

Poole will tomorrow host the Wiltshire side who currently play in the league directly above – with Dolphins hoping they can join them next season with promotion this campaign.

When asked by the Daily Echo if the tie would showcase Dolphins’ ability to survive in the league above, Killick responded: “I suppose that’s one of those questions where I am supposed to say that I am delighted and looking forward to playing them, in terms of that we think it is a very good draw and that it will be a good test.

“The reality is that it is not a very good draw for us, it’s a very tough game. But now we have been given it, we will meet it head on.”

Dolphins and Chippenham have been frequent foes over the past few seasons – with Poole being knocked out in the second qualifying round by the National South outfit on penalties in last year’s competition.

“I’ve been here a long time – I know what the levels are in our league,” Killick continued.

“I know what they are in the league above, I think I know where we are as a group without having to play against Chippenham to prove a point.

“Beating a team from the league above in a one-off game doesn’t really tell you an awful lot.

“You just need to assess your players individually and as a group against the level of the league above, and any manager who has experience at that level, as I have, is going to be aware of that without having to go head-to-head against them.”

Also in FA Cup action are Wessex Premier outfit Hamworthy United. After stunning Merthyr Town in the last round, they now head to Cirencester Town, while Wimborne Town are also on the road, at Basingstoke Town. Lymington Town host Hereford.

The winners of Saturday’s second qualifying round ties will earn £3,375 and a place in Monday’s draw for the third qualifying round, whilst the defeated club will still earn £1,125.