Lymington & New Milton will push league leaders Eastleigh all the way for the Jewson Wessex title.

Who says so? None other than BAT boss Andy Leader whose side were steamrollered 6-0 by the irresistible Linnets at Fawcett's Field last Saturday.

Leader has not always seen eye to eye with his Lymington counterpart, Graham Kemp, but was big enough to admit: "Credit where credit's due, Kempy's doing a great job down there.

"Lymington have improved ten-fold from last season and are looking really solid.

"I was so impressed by them and everyone who's playing them is saying the same thing."

In Leigh Phillips and 19-year-old Kevin Gill, Leader believes Lymington possess probably the best frontline partnership in the league.

He said: "They're certainly the best two forwards I've seen this season. They link up for fun.

"Believe it or not, my two centre-halves played well against them, but the two of them were awesome.

"Leigh will always get goals and young Gill's workrate really stands out. You can see why professional clubs are looking at him.

"Our young player Richard Gregory works hard, but this lad Gill works his socks off all over the park."

Gill is currently having trials back at AFC Bournemouth, where he was part of Sean O'Driscoll's youth set-up during the late 1990s. Already he has made an impact, scoring for Cherries' reserves in their 1-1 draw at Millwall on Wednesday.

Marcus Browning picked him out with a free-kick and the youngster outsprinted his marker before side-footing past 'keeper Chad Harpur.

Bournemouth's reserve team boss Peter Grant said: "Kevin scored a nice goal and he's one we will definitely keep an eye on."

Gill is expected back in the Linnets line-up at Thatcham tomorrow as the New Forest club bid to keep the heat on Eastleigh, who are at home to Andover.

BAT centre-backs Lloyd Jenvey and Lee Hodder are doubtful to face Bemerton at Southern Gardens. Jenvey pulled a calf muscle in Tuesday's JWL Cup exit at Brockenhurst and skipper Hodder also went off when a long-term pelvic injury flared up.

To compound the problem, defender Simon Elliott has gone into semi-retirement because of a persistent hip injury.

Former Eastleigh and Pirelli striker Paul Beesley is set to make his debut, but Leader has had no joy luring the experienced Tony Long away from Whitchurch.

With ex-Saint Ian Baird still battling ankle trouble, manager Leader said: "I'm still looking for a tough-tackling midfielder in the mould of myself ten years ago or Taffy Richardson (Lymington & New Milton) now."