Dorchester Town will get their Southern League Premier South campaign for the 2025/26 season underway on Saturday as they visit Uxbridge. The match promises to be quite the occasion, with the hosts riding the high of promotion and competing at Step Three for the first time in their history.
Dorchester supporters have had to wait more than 100 days since the club's last competitive outing, and manager Tom Killick has urged his side to "focus" on the task in front of them. Here's what you can expect when the Magpies head to London.
Uxbridge In Brief
Founded: 1871
Nickname: The Reds
Stadium: Honeycroft
Capacity: 3,770
Playing Surface: Artificial
Ones To Watch
Inevitably when looking for players in the opposition to single out for praise, your eye is instantly drawn to the strikers and, in the case of George Moore, you can see why. Moore was top scorer for The Reds last season (21), including the winning goal in Uxbridge's play-off final against Hanworth Villa. Add in playing and goal-scoring experience at Step Three with Harrow Borough and you begin to understand why Moore will be one for the Dorchester defence to keep an extra close eye on.
At the other end of the pitch defender and club captain CJ Fearn will be hoping to continue the kind of form that saw him voted both Supporters and Player's Player for Uxbridge last season. Fearn brings a wealth of experience to the Uxbridge backline, having spent a decade at Farnborough and will prove a stern test for the Magpies forwards.
The Gaffer
Danny Edwards has managed Uxbridge since 2019, overseeing the club's historic promotion to Step Three last season. Edwards had previously managed Chalfont St Peter for 15 seasons, winning promotion to Step Four and achieving a memorable run to the semi-finals of the FA Vase.
Last Time We Met
Magpies fans would do well to remember the club's last trip to Honeycroft, not least because it took place nearly 20 years ago! In fact, Dorchester's visit to Uxbridge in 2008 was the only previous time the two sides have met, with The Reds securing a 2-1 win and knocking Dorchester out of the FA Trophy. Read Terry Spracklen's match report from that day here.
Magpies Mind-Boggler
1.) Dorchester went unbeaten - home and away - against all four promoted sides during last season's Southern Premier Division South campaign (Frome Town, Wimborne Town, Chertsey Town & Marlow), but which side did the Magpies record the highest aggregate score against?
2.) The Magpies' last opening day win came during the 2022/23 season in a 2-1 home victory over North Leigh. Can you name the Dorchester player who scored a brace on the day?
See answers at the bottom of page
Team News
Dorchester go into Saturday's contest without a number of key players. Gerard Benfield, Jack Dickson and Marcus Daws are all sidelined through injury, while Will Spetch and Brett Pitman both continue to serve suspensions incurred during the tail end of last season. Wes Fogden is also an injury doubt, but Killick is hopeful that the midfielder stands an "outside chance" of overcoming an injury issue.
In their combined absence, the Magpies are likely to hand competitive debuts to a number of players, including summer signings Harvey Wright, Cameron Murray, Tom Smith and Joe Parker.
Admission Prices
Adults: £8
Concession: £1
Under 16: Free (When accompanied by an adult)
Travel Information
Supporters Coach: The club is running a supporters coach to Uxbridge. Anyone interested in booking a spot can still do so via this link.
By Car: Uxbridge has a large carpark on-site for any fans travelling by car. Honeycroft is located approximately 1/2 mile from the Stockley Park exit of the A408 Stockley Road, and one mile north of the M4 Junction 4.
By Train: The nearest train station to Uxbridge is West Drayton, on the Elizabeth Line, which enjoys frequent services towards Central London and Reading. To reach Honeycroft from West Drayton station, supporters can either catch the 350 bus service - whereby the closest stop is Horton Close - or take an estimated 20-minute walk.
Magpies Mind-Boggler Answers
1.) Marlow (8-2)
2.) Alfie Stanley