WEYMOUTH manager Mark Molesley admits the numerous connections between Poole Town and his side will add spice to their derby at the Bob Lucas Stadium in the Evo-Stik Southern Premier South today (3pm).

The two sides have a lot of connections between the two, Abdulai Baggie and Warren Bentley both played for the Dolphins last season, while the Terras’ goalkeeping coach Robbie Yates was with Poole during the last campaign, while Calvin Brooks’ brother Marvin plays for Poole.

When asked if this will add more spice to the encounter, Molesley replied: “Definitely, look it is a derby, we are all shopping in the same area for the same people, and the same players.

“There are lots of connections there but we are really happy with what we have got in our group.”

Molesley says his side will just focus on themselves however, but reiterated that they know the Dolphins are a good team.

Molesley said: “We are just going to be focusing on ourselves, we know they are a good side.

“We will just have to stick together and keep believing and keep doing what we are doing.”

The Dolphins are in a curious position of having had manager Tom Killick sent off in two consecutive games, most recently in their 2-2 draw at home to Salisbury, while he was also banished in the 5-2 defeat to Wimborne Town.

Thus Poole enter into the contest on a difficult run of form, and currently sit 12th with 28 points after 18 games in their first season back in the league following their relegation from the National League South.

Molesley took time to praise the side, while warning that most of their side will have had experience from the higher division.

The Terras boss also pointed out their similarity to top-of-the-table Taunton Town, who Weymouth claimed a 3-3 draw with at the Viridor Stadium on Saturday.

Molesley said: “They are fairly similar to Taunton, they are an experienced side, they will be well up for it.

“They have got some good players, they are a good side.

“Most of their team were playing in the National League South this time last year so they are a good side and one that we have got to respect as we always do, but we can take a lot of heart from the performance (against Taunton Town) and take that into the next game.”

The Terras have a curiously poor record on games on New Year’s Day, having averaged one point a match over the past 20 years across 11 games.

Yet last year they crowned the new year with a comprehensive 4-0 win at Gosport Borough.

The last time the two sides met Weymouth earned a 2-0 victory in the FA Trophy during the 2016-17 season.

However, the last time the two were in the same division, during the 2015/16 season, Poole claimed a double over Weymouth, via 2-0 win at home, and a 1-0 win at the Bob Lucas Stadium.

Stephane Zubar will be missing due to a suspension picked up against Harrow, while Calvin Brooks is ‘touch and go’ in terms of making the match against the Dolphins after picking up a knock against Dorchester.

Ex-Dolphin Warren Bentley will be missing (concussion) as will fellow long-term absentee Josh McQuoid.

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