WIMBORNE Town boss Tim Sills is expecting another tough test when Exmouth Town visit New Cuthbury this evening (7.30pm).

Magpies began their campaign with a resounding 5-2 win over Bishop’s Cleeve on Saturday, with a short turnaround ahead of their second game of the season.

After finishing 14th last term, Exmouth started the 2023-24 Southern League Division One South season with a credible 1-1 draw with Evesham United, a side who finished alongside Wimborne in the play-offs last season.

Exmouth are currently managed by Sills’ former Torquay teammate Kevin Hill.

Hill is Torquay’s record appearance holder, having played his 474th game for the Gulls at Wembley in 2008 alongside Sills.  

Sills told the Daily Echo: “I know the manager, used to play with the manager at Torquay.

"They'll be big, they'll be strong, they'll be organized, they'll be patient in their play and they've got a lot of quality throughout.

“In his eyes, I think they probably exceeded expectations last year a little bit.

“But actually looking at their side, they haven't changed loads and loads.

“So it's going to be a real sort of battle again and it's up to us to match that.

“Then hopefully see if our quality can outdo them on the day.”

Having finished the game at Bishop’s Cleeve with four goals in the final 15 minutes, Sills is hoping his charges can take momentum from their opening day win into their first game at home this season.

“The first game, it takes so long to come around," restarted Sills.

“After about two or three weeks of pre-season there's this big build up and everyone's really excited and all that sort of stuff.

“So it's good that we've got it out the way with a victory.

“It just kind of takes away that first game pressure.

“Hopefully now going back at home as well against what will be a very tough side to play against.

“But it does take the pressure off in terms of getting that three points on the board early doors and give the boys a bit more belief and faith going forward.”