By James Gray
UXBRIDGE 0
DORCHESTER TOWN 0
A depleted Dorchester Town played out a 0-0 draw away to Uxbridge as they got their 2025/26 season underway.
On a sunny, hot day in Greater London, the Magpies came into their Southern League Premier South opener without six first-team regulars through a combination of injuries and suspensions.
Uxbridge, meanwhile, were playing in their first ever game at Step Three, having won promotion via the Isthmian League South Central playoffs last season.
Magpies Manager Tom Killick handed competitive debuts to no fewer than four players, with summer signings Harvey Wright, Tom Smith and Joe Parker all starting from the off, as well as a returning Cameron Murray.
Bristol City goalkeeper Josey Casa-Grande, whose month-long loan signing was confirmed on the eve of Saturday's fixture, also made his first start for Dorchester in between the sticks.
Smith very nearly got his Magpies career off to the perfect start with less than five minutes on the clock, but he could only shoot over the bar after some good build-up play.
Parker shot straight at the Uxbridge keeper shortly afterwards before the warm conditions prompted the match referee to pause play for a short drinks break.
In the 36th minute Dorchester came agonisingly close to opening the scoring, however Magpies winger Luke Roberts' shot cannoned off the post to safety for Uxbridge.
Roberts' effort would prove the last chance of note for either team as the first half drew to a close, leaving the contest level at 0-0.
After the break, Dorchester continued to probe the Uxbridge goal, with Luke Pardoe and Wright both firing off target.
As time drew on, and with the game remaining deadlocked, Killick threw on substitutes Wayne Robinson, Harry Hutchinson and Charlie Wooding in an effort to find a late winner.
But it was not meant to be as Uxbridge hung on for a share of the spoils and a debut point at Step Three.
The result leaves Dorchester in tenth position ahead of the visit of Tiverton Town on Tuesday.
Magpies: Casa-Grande, Turner, Wright, Haste, Pardoe (Wooding 85), Moore, Murray, Buse, Roberts (Hutchinson 72), Smith (Robinson 72), Parker. Subs not used: Samadi & Whitfield.