By James Gray
Dorchester Town are on the road again this Saturday (3pm KO) for the trip to high-flying Gloucester City in the Southern League Premier South. Tommy Killick's side got their first win of the season last time out in the FA Cup versus Slimbridge and will be hoping to build on it when they travel to Gloucestershire.
Gloucester will themselves be targeting a win to maintain their strong start to the season, which currently has them placed fourth in the league and just one point behind leaders Sholing. Here's everything you need to know ahead of Dorchester's trip to Gloucester City.
Gloucester In Brief
Founded: 1883
Nickname: The Tigers
Stadium: TigerTurf Stadium
Capacity: 4,000
Playing Surface: Artificial
Ones To Watch
Joe Hanks (23) finished top of Gloucester's goalscoring charts in the league last season and will undoubtedly prove one of the Tigers key attacking threats on Saturday.
Hanks is ably assisted up top by the likes of Elis Watts and Sion Spence, while, standing at six feet and five inches tall, centre-back Ben Richards-Everton is one of the most imposing defenders in the division.
The Gaffer
Dafydd Williams was appointed Gloucester manager this summer, following the departure of Mike Cook. Williams joined from EFL League Two outfit Newport County, where he was assistant manager and, for the final two games of last season, caretaker manager.
Previous Meeting
Last April, amidst a hotly-contested race for play-off qualification, both sides played out a dramatic 3-3 draw at the TigerTurf Stadium. The Magpies had led 3-1 at one point during the match, courtesy of goals from Wes Fogden, Olaf Koszela and Shaquille Gwengwe, but Gloucester roared back and, deep into second-half added time, grabbed a equaliser.
Form Guide
Magpies - LDLLW
Dorchester won 1-0 away to Slimbridge last weekend in the FA Cup, with current top-scorer Tom Smith notching the only goal of the game. In the league, however, it has been a very different story so far, with Dorchester winless and sitting on a record of three defeats and two draws.
Tigers - LWDDW
Gloucester come into Saturday's game on the back of a FA Cup replay win over AFC Portchester. The Tigers have lost only once in all competitions at the start of this season, with that defeat coming at the hands of Plymouth Parkway.
Magpies Mind-Boggler
1.) Gloucester's current No.9 previously spent time at the Avenue Stadium, during a loan spell from Bristol Rovers in 2021. He scored two goals in five appearances for the Magpies, but can you name him?
See answer at the bottom of page
Team News
Keeper Gerard Benfield and winger Marcus Daws have not yet featured for the Magpies this campaign due to injury.
Admission Prices
Tickets for the trip to Gloucester can be purchased in advance via the Fanbase app here. Prices are as follows:
Family (Two adults & up to two under 18s): £30
Adults: £13
Concessions: £10
Student / Youth: £7*
Under 12s: Free
*Applies to those aged 12-18 or in possession of a valid student ID
Travel Information
Supporters Coach: The club is running a supporters coach for the trip to Gloucester. Anyone interested in booking a seat can do so via the link here.
By Car: Gloucester operate limited parking at the TigerTurf stadium for blue badge holders. Anyone seeking to park there is advised to contact the club at their earliest convenience via matchday@gcafc.co.uk. Alternatively, supporters can park for two hours free of charge at the Sainsburys store, which is located about a five-minute walk from the stadium. More information on available parking options can be found here.
By Train: The nearest train station to the TigerTurf Stadium is Gloucester, which is approximately a 25-minute walk away.
Magpies Mind-Boggler Answers:
1.) Kieran Phillips