Wimborne Town boss Tim Sills on Dorset Senior Cup exit to Poole Town

Played out on the New Cuthbury 3G, both teams took the opportunity to play younger players as goals from Toby Holmes and Harvey Wright outweighed Jack Hoey’s strike in a 2-1 Poole win.

Whilst Poole arguably have little to play for as the Southern League Premier South comes to a close, in the division below Wimborne are locked in a title battle.

Sills’ charges are currently four points clear at the summit of the Southern League Division One South with eight games remaining.

Discussing the cup tie, Sills told the Daily Echo: “We packed the team with (younger players), which is great.

“We had four of our lads who needed the minutes and it was great to see the boys come in who have either been on the cusp of it or have impressed in the reserves this season.

“So nice to see them really get a good run out in a really competitive game.

“A good one for the neutral as well.

“Lots of positives to take away – and not absolutely devastated with being out of it, if we're being honest.”

Poole and Wimborne were not the only sides to play youth players in the competition this season; Magpies reaching the quarter-finals after dispatching a young Weymouth side in the last round.

Asked if the Dorset Senior Cup had lost its shine, Sills replied: “It's a tough one because it's not a bad competition to win.

“I've won it a couple of times with Weymouth as a player.

“So it does have its place.

“But the way, especially with the Weymouth game, it dragged on and how many times it was postponed, it suddenly was getting towards the business end of the season.

“And yes, there are other priorities that take place over it - you've got your big competitions at the start of the season.

“It's a shame.

“I would have liked to have played a stronger squad, but we've got to protect our lads going into eight massive games now in the league, so that will always be the priority.”