CHRISTCHURCH coach Stuart Underwood says there is "absolutely no chance" of local rivals Wimborne winning the Wessex League title - even if they overturn Priory at Hurn Bridge tomorrow (3pm).
Underwood today backed his side to pick up their first points for four matches against a Magpies side he tips for mid-table mediocrity rather than championship glory.
He said: "It's only my personal opinion, but I don't think Wimborne have got a hope of winning the title.
"I haven't been involved with this league for very long, but I don't think they look as strong as they did last season.
"I know they lost one or two players in the summer and they don't seem to have replaced them yet.
"I think Andover look head and shoulders above the rest. They have got a much stronger squad than most of the other sides and that shows. They are a class team."
Mid-table Priory go into tomorrow's derby clash buoyed by memories of their 3-1 away win over Wimborne in August.
And Underwood knows there is no better incentive than a match with your closest neighbours to return to winning ways.
Speaking after Tuesday's 1-0 defeat at home to league-leaders Totton, he said: "I think we stunned them a little bit when we beat them on their own patch and that will give us confidence.
"We have not been on our best form recently, but this is a good opportunity for the lads to start winning again. It's a local derby after all."
Priory will again be without top scorer Lamin Dibba (thigh) and Ross Edwards (knee).
Sixth-placed Wimborne welcome back defender Paul Roast who played 10 minutes of Magpies' 2-2 draw with Fareham Town on Wednesday after recovering from a knee injury.
Christchurch: (from) Edmonds, Herridge, Massie, Langdown, Woolner, Fastmedge, Hillyer, Rideout, Gogan, Nicholas, Woolner, Butler, Kelly, Hallum, Beverley, Wyatt.
Wimborne Town: (from) Frank, Elliott, Powell, White, Roast, Plank, Gill, Moores, Sc Cannie, St Cannie, Barham, Mitchell, Lovell, Dancer, A Turner, Dean.
l Teenage winger Liam Green is poised to make his Lymington and New Milton debut when Graham Kemp's side travel to second-placed Fleet Town (3pm).
Green, 19, moved to Fawcett's Field from Wessex League rivals Eastleigh after Linnets midweek draw with Moneyfields. Striker Matty Town (ligaments) and defender Paul Morris (chest) are both out.
Lymington and New Milton: (from) Kearn, Stride, Liddon, Kemp, Gazzard, Green, Mooney, Smith, B Phillips, Glenister, Marwood, Keeping, L Phillips, Metcalf.
l Brockenhurst will be without the injured trio of Simon Elley (back), Jimmy Sheppard (knee) and Nathan Bryant (knee) when they host struggling Downton at Grigg Lane (3pm).
Brockenhurst: (from) Staples, Jones, Parkin, D Knighton, Gee, Bailey, Anderson, Cort, Dipper, Sims, Stone, A Knighton, Burgess,
l Bottom of the table Swanage Town and Herstton look set to name an unchanged side from the one beaten 5-1 by Gosport last week for tomorrow's crucial clash with fellow strugglers Whitchurch (3pm).
Swanage Town and Herston: (from) S James, Waterman, Gousseau, Taylor, Hollywood, Knight, McArthur, Grover, Drummond, Fowler, L James, Lander, Selby, T White.
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