By James Gray
Dorchester Town kick off their FA Trophy campaign on Saturday (3pm KO) as Bideford AFC visit the Avenue Stadium. The Magpies come into the match on the back of being dumped out of the FA Cup last weekend by Farnham Town. Devon-based Bideford, meanwhile, will also be looking to bounce back from defeat after losing to Falmouth Town in their most recent outing.
Saturday's game will see the return of several former Dorchester players to DT1 and, with the carrot of £2,450 on the line for the winning side, Magpies boss Tom Killick will be hoping it brings a swift return to winning ways. Here's everything you need to know ahead of the visit of Bideford.
Bideford In Brief
Founded: 1883
Nickname: The Robins
Stadium: The Sports Ground
Capacity: 6,000
Playing Surface: Grass
Ones To Watch
Dorchester fans will recognise the familiar faces of Louie Slough and Alex Moyse, when the Robins visit the Avenue Stadium, with both having previously played for the Magpies.
Elsewhere, Scott Robinson has been in decent goalscoring form as of late, finding the back of the net in each of Bideford's last two league games.
The Gaffer
You'll do well to find a longer serving manager anywhere across English football than Bideford gaffer Sean Joyce, who has been in charge of the Robins since 1998. Joyce's tenure has been a hugely successful one, having taken over a club originally struggling in the Western League Premier Division to, at one point, the Southern League Premier South.
Previous Meeting
Any guesses for the last time these two sides met in a competitive contest? Well, you have to go all the way back to March 2016 for it! Dorchester edged a tight contest at the Sports Ground that day 3-2, with a Charlie Davis brace and Nathan Walker strike enough to take all three points back to Dorset.
Form Guide
Magpies - DWWLL
Before the end of September, Dorchester suffered back-to-back defeats at the hands of Taunton Town and Farnham. However, prior to that, Killick's side were enjoying their best run of the season to date, which included a draw away to Plymouth Parkway and successive victories over Brixham AFC and Yate Town.
Robins - WWWDL
Bideford come into Saturday's contest having lost just one of their last five matches in all competitions. The Robins made it to this stage of the FA Trophy having knocked out fellow Southern League Division One South sides Mousehole and Swindon Supermarine.
Magpies Mind-Boggler
1.) The furthest stage in which Dorchester have ever made the FA Trophy is the Third Round, but how many times have the Magpies reached that point? (Bonus point for every correct season you can name)
2.) Under Steve Thompson's stewardship, the Magpies made the Second Round of the FA Trophy during the 2018/19 season, eliminating four teams before exiting themselves at the hands of Barnet. Can you name each of the four clubs that we defeated? (One point for every correct team named)
See answers at the bottom of page
Team News
Jack Dickson and Luke Roberts should both be available for full squad selection, with the pair not risked by Killick during the FA Cup trip to Farnham. Wes Fogden could also return to the matchday squad, having missed out last weekend due to injury.
Admission Prices
Adults: £12 in advance online /£14 on the turnstiles
Concessions: £10 in advance online / £12 on the turnstiles
Students: £9 in advance online / £11 on the turnstiles
Aged 12 to 16: £4 in advance online / £6 on the turnstiles
Under 12s: £1 in advance online / £3 on the turnstiles
Tickets for the visit of Bideford can be purchased in advance here.
Travel Information
Full travel information on how to reach the Avenue Stadium can be found here.
Magpies Mind-Boggler Answers:
1.) Three times. 1971/72, 1996/97 & 2003/04.
2.) Yate Town, AFC Totton, Hungerford Town & Eastbourne Borough.