TOM Killick believes the FA Cup exploits of Poole Town, Hamble and Alton is a feather in the cap for the Wessex League.

Killick’s Dolphins and Premier Division rivals Hamble will represent the league in the third qualifying round a week tomorrow.

Alton went close to joining them before losing a midweek replay at Southern League Cinderford Town – having already accounted for Ryman Premier big guns Sutton United.

Poole’s win at Thame on Tuesday set up an intriguing tie against Southern League neighbours Bashley, while Hamble’s cup heroics have earned them a crack at Conference South outfit Farnborough.

Killick said: “With us and Hamble in the third qualifying round, it does reflect well on the Wessex League.

“I don’t think anyone can argue that the standard of the league has decreased because of the quality of the teams we keep losing compared with the ones replacing them, so the cup fortunes are a boost.”

Toppled from pole position by Bemerton due to their cup commitments, Poole will be looking to reclaim top spot when they host second-placed Winchester City tomorrow (3pm).

Killick added: “It is a good thing to be playing Winchester because it is unlikely we will approach it in the wrong manner (after their midweek cup exertions). Had we been playing one of the so-called lesser teams, it might have been a concern.”

Dolphins: (from) Jones, Poore, Smeeton, M Walker, Dibba, Gill, Preston, Richardson, Hubbard, Cook, Cann, Spetch, Skelton, S Smith, Bailey-Pearce, S Walker, Sturgess, Molara.

• Verwood have named their strongest squad possible for the biggest match in their history.

The Wessex One outfit host Budleigh Salterton (3pm) in the FA Vase first round proper.

Verwood: (from) Fawcett, Dear, Delaney, Lynch, Murray, Elysee, Smith, Dyer, Jamison, Homer, Haskell, Matt Newbery, Morrison, Kelly, Moore, Mills.

• Max Cream has rejoined Poppies and is in their squad to visit Lymington Town in the Vase.

Poppies: (from) Harvell, Arnold, Cole, Blake, Crutcher, Webb, Culliford, Phillipson-Masters, Kemble, Jeffes, Saadi, Eriksen, Byrne, Richard, Rowley, Cream, Vaughan.

• Aaron Corby, Stuart Cannie and Jack Swann are set to return for Hamworthy United at Fareham in the Wessex Premier.

Hammers: (from) Roberts, R Jackson, Antrobus, Horlock, White, Corby, Crow, M Jackson, Murray, Lawrence, Currell, Burbidge, Spencer, Haysom, Robinson, Cannie, Swann, Ackerman.

• New Milton visit Alton, while Ringwood host Warminster in Division One.

Linnets: (from) Loader, Gajic, Colman, Booker, Lever, Evans, Holland, White, Hughes, Baldacchino, Fields, Mott, M Hardyman, Alcon, Fox, Littler, Amey.

Ringwood: (from) Old, Clark, Yeats, Morrell, Taylor, Midson, Chattey, Hetherington, Sexton, Marks, Leadbetter, Fleet, Bladen, Pierson, Burnet, Russon, Ormond.