By James Gray
Festive football. El Jurassico. Local bragging rights. A crucial three points on offer. Dorchester versus Weymouth matches rarely need any build-up and this latest derby clash certainly doesn't buck that trend.
Weymouth will make the short journey over the ridgeway to the Avenue Stadium on Saturday (3pm KO) for the first league meeting between these two sides in more than seven years.
Both clubs currently occupy spots in the Southern League Premier South relegation zone and will be all too aware of how important a win could be for either as they look to move further up what can only be described as a congested bottom half of the table.
It's all set up to be yet another nail-biting clash between these fierce rivals and one definitely not to miss. Your support has been invaluable all season and will be needed more than ever on Saturday so, if you can, please do get yourself down to the Avenue and cheer on the boys in black and white!
Here's everything you need to know ahead of the visit of Weymouth.
Weymouth In Brief
Founded: 1890
Nickname: The Terras
Stadium: The Bob Lucas Stadium
Capacity: 6,600
Playing Surface: Grass
League Position: 21st
One To Watch
Brandon Goodship has been a prolific scorer at this level and higher for many a season and, following the departure of Callum Watts, is the Terras joint-highest scoring (three) player in the Southern League Premier South this campaign.
The Gaffer
Jamie Wells was promoted from first team coach to manager of Weymouth earlier this week, after the club announced it had reached a mutual agreement to part company with Steve Claridge.
Previous Meeting
Ignoring pre-season friendlies, when these sides last met in a competitive match, it was Weymouth who secured victory and local bragging rights.
Rewind to Boxing Day, in 2018, the Terras travelled over the Ridgeway to the Avenue Stadium for the traditional serving of festive football.
On that day it was Steve Thompson and Mark Molesley who took charge of Dorchester and Weymouth respectively.
In what proved to be a tight contest, the Terras were made to wait until the 90th minute of the game before finally opening the scoring through Goodship.
The goal was a tough pill to swallow for all those of a Dorchester persuasion as it ensured Weymouth won the match 1-0 and completed a league double over the Magpies, enroute to securing the Southern League Premier South title later in the season.
Form Guide
Magpies - DDWLW
Dorchester's last competitive outing saw a comfortable 4-1 win over Gillingham Town in the Dorset Senior Cup. Prior to that Tom Killick's side had gone three matches unbeaten, before a 2-1 away loss to Sholing brought an end to that mini-unbeaten run.
Terras - DLWLL
Weymouth have suffered consecutive home losses to Plymouth Parkway and Berkhamsted, with their most recent win, like Dorchester, coming in the Dorset Senior Cup - a 4-2 home victory over Wimborne Town.
Magpies Mind-Boggler
1.) Dorchester last earned a competitive victory over Weymouth in August 2015, with the Magpies ending up on the right side of a 1-0 scoreline. But who got the winning goal for Dorchester?
See answer at the bottom of page
Team News
Dorchester will be without the services of Will Spetch and Wayne Robinson due to suspension, while Marcus Daws remains an injury doubt. Jack Dickson is expected to return to Killick's squad, after illness ruled him out of the league defeat to Sholing. Wes Fogden remains a long-term injury absentee.
Admission Prices
Tickets for the visit of Weymouth can be purchased in advance via the Fanbase app here. Prices are as follows:
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
Travel Information
Full travel information on how to reach the Avenue Stadium can be found here.
Magpies Mind-Boggler Answer:
1.) Mark Jermyn.