MANAGER Jason Matthews admits that tomorrow night’s game with table-topping Poole Town is one of his biggest in the Terras’ hot seat so far.

Something has to give as the in-form sides are set to contest a Dorset derby at the Bob Lucas Stadium (7.45pm), a showdown which could have considerable title implications come the end of the campaign.

Although the Dolphins have only suffered one league defeat so far this term, the Weymouth player-manager, whose side currently sit nine points behind Poole with two games in hand, is confident his troops can pull off a result in front of an expected bumper crowd.

He told Echosport: “We have been outstanding all season. It is arguably the best two sides in the league and it should be a great spectacle for Dorset football. I hope people come out in force and support it.

“Everyone is up for it, we just need to keep the run going and just take it as another game.

“It is probably one of my biggest games in charge. The Dorchester game was big for the fans and this will be no different with Poole.”

Matthews, pictured, scouted the Dolphins earlier in the campaign when they faced Bath City in the FA Cup, and believes that one or two of the Poole set up will have a score to settle with his side.

“We know what their threats are and there will obviously be a couple of people trying to prove a point who are former Weymouth players, but it is about us,” he added.

“I am not worried about Poole, I feel it is about what we do on the night. If we give it our best shot I don’t think we will be far away.”

And the Terras’ boss is not worried about the difference in experience between himself and Poole Town manager Tom Killick, who predicted the Terras would be “very difficult to stop” before the campaign got underway.

Matthews added: “Tommy is much more experienced than me and if he wants to play mind games that is up to him, it doesn’t really phase me.

“I have my own style of managing and it’s probably slightly different to a lot of experienced managers.”

Calvin Brooks is set to return to the Terras’ ranks and Matthews is hoping that midfielder Chris Shephard will have shaken off a bout of illness before the clash.

Terras (from): Matthews, Wells, Copp, McPhee, J Laird, Poole, Kelly, Ca Laird, Rigg, Winsper, Yetton, Sills, Plummer, Colwell, Shephard, Jevon, Brooks