Poole Town stalwart Taffy Richardson believes the race for the Sydenhams Wessex Premier title is the “most wide open” for years.

Dolphins’ influential midfielder thinks the champions have got off to a reasonable start despite being held to shock home draws by Christchurch and Romsey.

But the 43-year-old fireman has said the Dorset side can’t afford many more Tatnam hiccups, ahead of tomorrow’s clash against Alton (3pm), if they are to secure a third championship success.

Richardson added: “Now most clubs are four, five or six league games in, it’s clear it’s probably going to be the most wide open title race for years.

“We’re unbeaten in four league games, and we’ve won our two FA Cup matches, which is not bad considering we are not playing that brilliantly.

“I feel the likes of Winchester City, Fareham, Bemerton and Moneyfields are all going to be involved in the title race.

“In fact, there are about eight teams who realistically can win it, and that includes Poppies.

“Hats off to them, they have continued what they did last season and look like they are going to be up there again.

“From our point of view, it’s always difficult when you have new players coming in.

“They feel under pressure coming into a winning team and it takes time to gel.

“There’s a lot of pressure on us to win games because everyone thinks we are better than them and they raise their game.

“All in all, we’ve made a pretty good start, and if we do hit a bit of form, maybe we can go on a massive unbeaten run again.”

Dolphins defensive duo Lamin Dibba (suspended) and Michael Walker (unavailable) miss tomorrow’s game.

Poole Town: (from) Jones, Poore, Smeeton, Cann, Richardson, Hubbard, Preston, S Smith, Cook, C Smith, Pinder, Gates, Skelton, S Walker, Park, Spetch, Miles, Thomas, Bailey-Pearce, Sturgess, Cream.

• Verwood Town will be without injured winger Luke Homer for their FA Vase first qualifying round tie at Welton Rovers (3pm).

Verwood: (from) Tong, Dear, Delaney, Lynch, Murray, Dyer, Smith, Elysee, Mills, Haskell, Stephens, Anderton, Freeman, M Newbery, Morrison, Kelly.

• Hamworthy United visit Larkhall Athletic in the same round, while Ringwood are away to Fisher and New Milton travel to Norton Sports.

Hamworthy United: (from) Ackerman, Lillington, Antrobus, R. Jackson, Llewelyn, Horlock, White, Crow, Corby, Lawrence, Cannie, Currell, Burbidge, Spencer, Merritt, Satterley, Dancer, Toghill.

• Christchurch have named an unchanged squad for their Sydenhams Wessex Premier home clash against Fawley, while Poppies host Fareham.

Christchurch: (from) Collins, Costello, Lin-pow, Taylor, Legg, Crutchley, Bryan, Bernard, Smith, Fairbrother, Burden, Osborne, Ewen, Rideout, Dickenson, Hatch, Grace, Dand.