REIGNING champions Poole Town showed no signs of a Charlie Austin hangover as they continued their domination of the Wessex League.

With prolific striker Austin set to complete his move to League One outfit Swindon Town in the next 24 hours, Dolphins were forced to face up to life without their star player at Fawcett’s Field on Saturday.

But it did not seem to cause Tom Killick’s men too many problems as they eased to a 4-2 victory over 10-man New Milton Town.

Russell Cook may be the player to take on Austin’s key role after adding two more to his tally, while Steve Smith (penalty) and ex-Cherries winger Carl Preston also got their names on the scoresheet.

Warren Kenna and George Gunn hit late consolations for Linnets, who had Mark Lilley sent off for two bookable offences.

New Milton Town: Webb, R Chengadu (Small), Clarke, Coleman, Burt, Kenna, Quirk, Byers, Mead (Walker), Lilley, Odeh (Gunn). Unused sub: L Lock.

Poole Town: Jones, Whitley, Lloyd, Dibba, P Smith (Browne, 75), T Smith, Hubbard (Skelton, 65), Richardson, Preston (Gill, 60), Cook, S Smith. Unused subs: Poore, Ackerman.

ASSISTANT manager Darren Powell watched his Wimborne+Town">Wimborne Town team hammer Cowes Sports 4-0 before questioning the quality of Magpies’ finishing.

“We could’ve scored eight or nine and our finishing could’ve been sharper,” said Powell.

Magpies’ goals were shared around, with Tom Clarke, Liam Green, Scott Joyce and Steve Whitcher all on target.

Nick Hutchings kept a clean sheet in his first game back at the club after rejoining from Gosport Borough.

Wimborne Town: Hutchings, Wilson, N Walker, M Walker, Lockyer (Haysom, 75), McCormick (Wyatt, 65), Stokoe, Green, James, Clarke (Whitcher, 70), Joyce.

MARK Smith scored the winner as Christchurch claimed a 2-1 victory at Romsey Town.

Tom Jeffes opened the scoring before the hosts hit back to level, but Smith had the final say to secure a sixth league win of the season for Graham Kemp’s men.

“It was a good, competitive game,” said manager Kemp.

“It was quite physical and it was nice for us to be able to win that way, as well as playing attractive football.”

Christchurch: Kearn, Costello, Legg, Crutchley, Linpow, Dan Taylor, Smith, Danny Taylor (Price, 60), Fairbrother (Rideout, 80), Osborne (Woolner, 65), Jeffes.

GRAHAM Lindsey’s 30th-minute penalty earned Fareham Town a 1-0 victory over Bournemouth Poppies at Victoria Park.

Poppies: Harvell, Arnold, Byrne, Peprah-Annan (Delaney), Crutcher, Blake (K Chengadu), Roberts, Phillipson-Masters, Bates, Glenister (Wrixton), Cann. Unused subs: Vaughan, Aimson.

IN Wessex Division One, Russell Dyer’s goal was no more than a consolation as Verwood+Town">Verwood Town were hammered 5-1 by AFC Portchester.