PAUL Arnold saw former Wimborne hero Taffy Richardson run the show for Poole Town and then admitted: "I wish I had one like him."

Richardson, who was skipper of the Magpies' famous 1992 FA Vase-winning side, popped up with a diving header to bury Ryan Woolfenden's cross midway through the first half and immediately upset his 10-year-old daughter Charlotte.

The 38-year-old explained: "Charlotte is a Wimborne fanatic like her grandad. As soon as I scored, I waved over at them.

"It was a great ball in from Ryan and I couldn't really miss it, but it was a very good team performance.

"I've got a lot of friends at Wimborne who gave me a load of grief afterwards but I always enjoy going back there.

"My son George is a Poole Town fan though, so at least he was happy."

Wimborne boss Arnold was full of praise for the veteran midfielder insisting his midfielders could learn plenty from the old maestro's performance.

Arnold said: "Players like Taffy are a dying breed. He is incredible really - he ran the show, scored the winner and still had time to referee the game!

"I wish I had a player like him in my team.

"There were players half his age playing for me who couldn't keep up with his fitness. He just has that desire and hunger and is still a top player at this level.

"Sometimes you can only look on in admiration and you have to take your hat off to him."

Dolphins counterpart Tommy Killick agreed.

He said: "Taffy was inspirational. You know what you will get from him week in, week out.

"He is intimidating to play against but people sometimes forget that he is also a very good footballer."

Richardson, jokingly, said: "I just potter about and bluff my way through it really.

"People who run fast usually have to stop playing sooner but when you're just plodding about like me, you can go on for longer.

"I've got good young lads around me and a lot of it is in your mind. I've no intention of retiring anytime soon because I still love it and still feel as fit as ever."

Arnold has already set about rectifying what he called "a totally unacceptable league position" of 10th place by recruiting Ben Griffiths from Lymington and New Milton and Ross Drew from Brockenhurst.

Arnold said: "I'm looking to strengthen all over the pitch. Players have got too comfortable and we need more competition.

"I am talking to a couple more this week and we will see what happens with those."

Wimborne Town: Kearn, Percival (Clements, 20), Moore, Phillipson-Masters, Crutcher, Rideout, Cousins, Arnold (Drew, 85), Oldbury, Butler (Doyle, 60), Cannie.

Poole Town: Spillane, White, Spalding, Whitley, Bayston, Richardson, Funnell, Harris, Woolfenden (Brown, 70), Glenister (Chivers, 82), Phillips. Unused subs: Sturgess, Byrom.