Wimborne's Roast: Cherries clash is whole new level

PAUL Roast turned out against a youthful Arsenal side five years ago but reckons tonight's clash against Cherries is a whole new level for Wimborne Town. The Magpies club captain lines up in his testimonial match against Lee Bradbury's League One outfit tonight, after 11 years and nearly 400 appearances for the Cuthbury club. And despite facing the likes of former Gunners Fabrice Muamba and Anthony Stokes in a 2006 friendly, defender Roast is even more excited about pitting his wits against the likes of Danny Ings and Cherries legend Steve Fletcher at Cuthbury tonight (7.45pm). Roast told the Echo: I'm really touched with all the effort which has gone into arranging my testimonial. I have so many people to thank. The night is not just about me, but is a great event for the club and I'm massively looking forward to the fixture as Bournemouth have some really talented players. The biggest side I have ever faced was a young Arsenal team back in 2006 which included the likes of Muamba and Stokes, but tonight's derby is a whole new level. If I came up against man mountain Steve Fletcher, who is an all time Cherries legend, it would be very interesting! Despite the friendly nature of the clash, Roast, now player-assistant manager at Cuthbury, believes the new-look Magpies squad will be taking their chance to impress new boss Steve Cuss ahead of the new Southern League campaign. The 33-year-old added: Even though it is a friendly, there is a bit of pressure on us to perform as we have built a new squad and everyone wants to impress the boss. There is extreme competition for places as everyone wants to bag themselves a shirt come the opening day of the season. We will put our strongest side out tonight and we want to put up a good fight against Bournemouth. It would be unbelievable if we could beat Poole Town's attendance last week and, fingers crossed, the match will become an annual fixture. Roast, meanwhile, confessed that if it weren't for the arrival of Cuss, he would have hung up his boots by now. He added: I decided at the end of last season that I would knock my career on the head but when Steve Cuss arrived at the club, he offered me a great opportunity I couldn't turn down.

Source: Bournemouth_Echo