By James Gray
Dorchester Town welcome Dorset neighbours Wimborne Town to the Avenue Stadium on Saturday (3pm KO) for our latest clash in the Southern League Premier South.
The match is the second of consecutive local derbies for Dorchester, after our away defeat to Poole Town in midweek - a result which has dropped the Magpies back into the relegation places.
Wimborne, meanwhile, have enjoyed a strong start to the season, which currently sees them occupying fourth place in the league standings. They come into the weekend's match riding the high of a 4-1 home drubbing of Yate Town and will prove another formidable test as Dorchester boss Tom Killick seeks to turn his team's early season fortunes around.
Here's everything you need to know ahead of Wimborne's visit to the Avenue Stadium.
Wimborne In Brief
Founded: 1878
Nickname: The Magpies
Stadium: The Wyatt Homes Stadium
Capacity: 3,250
Playing Surface: Grass
Ones To Watch
Wimborne currently rank amongst the Southern League Premier South's top scorers, with forwards Joe Smith, Lewis Williams and Will Fletcher all bang in goalscoring form, and expected to feature against Dorchester on Saturday.
The Magpies signed experienced midfielder Josh McQuoid from Weymouth this summer and the former Northern Ireland international has already proved a shrewd addition, with a number of astute performances for Wimborne.
The Gaffer
Tim Sills has enjoyed a successful tenure in charge of Wimborne, since his managerial appointment in October 2022. The former Aldershot Town and Torquay United striker guided the Magpies to the Southern League Division One South title in his first full season at the helm and has since established the club at Step Three.
Previous Meeting
Dorchester and Wimborne played out a pair of 1-1 draws in the Southern League Premier South last season, with the latter of those taking place at the Avenue Stadium last February.
An Olaf Koszela penalty had given Dorchester an early lead, but Wimborne restored parity through Matty Burrows in the 25th minute. Despite the best endeavours of both sides, neither could find the cutting edge needed to score again and the points were ultimately shared.
Form Guide
Magpies - LLWWL
Dorchester suffered a 2-0 defeat away to Poole in midweek - their sixth in the league so far this season. The Magpies had, prior to that loss, recorded back-to-back victories over Bideford AFC and Hanwell Town.
Wimborne - WLWLW
Wimborne come into Saturday's match on the back of a 4-1 home thrashing of Yate Town, courtesy of a first-half brace from Williams and late strikes from Smith and Cameron Munn.
The Magpies' only losses in their last five matches have comes against current league leaders Walton & Hersham and National League South outfit Worthing in the FA Cup.
Magpies Mind-Boggler
1.) Dorchester and Wimborne of course share the same nickname, the Magpies, but can you name the two professional English football clubs that also bear that moniker?
2.) Current Magpies boss Tom Killick has links to his playing days with both Dorchester and Wimborne, but it was with the latter in the spring of 1992 that he achieved arguably his biggest on-field achievement. Can you correctly guess what that success was?
See answers at the bottom of page
Team News
Jack Dickson will be assessed ahead of the game, having been absent from first team action since late August. Aside from that Killick should have a full strength squad to select from.
Admission Prices
Tickets for the visit of Wimborne 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 Answers:
1.) Newcastle United & Notts County.
2.) Winning the 1991/92 FA Vase - Read the gaffer's memories from that day here!