Players to earn places

DORCHESTER Town manager Steve Thompson is looking for players to show him “why they should be at the club” ahead of their Evo-Stik Southern Premier Division clash with Merthyr Town at the Avenue Stadium tomorrow (3pm).

With Dorchester on the cusp of being mathematically safe from relegation, despite never being in realistic danger of taking the drop, Thompson is turning his focus to next season.

Should the Magpies beat Merthyr, coupled with a loss for Dunstable Town, they will consolidate their standing in the division for the 2018/19 campaign.

And, with Dorchester all but safe, Thompson admitted he has already been scouting players with a view to next season.

He told Echosport: “I have players I want to keep here for next season and other players have it all to do. I’ll pick a team to go out and win every game, but you can see a lot more in matches than training.

“I’ve spoken to a league team and I was hoping to get one player in. It doesn’t look like he wanted to come. I’m also watching games, just looking at players in terms of next season.

“Until you know the budget, it’s difficult. At the moment I just want players to show me why they should be at the club, competing for the first team shirt next season.”

Read More at: Dorset Echo