What a week it has been for the Bees. After Shaq Coulthirst buried a 21st minute penalty at the weekend, we booked our place in the Fourth Round of the FA Cup, beating Championship side Sheffield United 1-0 at Bramall Lane.
However, our attentions now turn to the Buildbase FA Trophy where Darren Currie’s side will be hoping for more success in a knock-out tournament.
Evo-Stik League South Premier Division South outfit Dorchester Town travel to The Hive London tomorrow as both teams aim to progress to the third round.
Last Meeting:
Tomorrow’s match will be the first time that the two sides have met since March 1979.
The Bees ran out 1-0 winners away from home thanks to a single Martin Sperrin goal in the Southern League Premier Clash.
Manager: Steve Thompson
Dorchester appointed Steve Thompson as manager at the start of last season, a campaign that saw the Magpies finish 19th.
The 55-year-old began his managerial career at Yeovil Town in 1999, rotating between manager and assistant until 2009. He also appeared on the bench for the Glovers in their League Cup match with Charlton in 2008 at the age of 45.
After leaving Yeovil, Thompson returned to the field, playing for Bridgwater Town before moving to Shaftesbury Town but quickly returned to management all in the same year. Truro City was his next destination before he took up the assistant manager role at Woking in 2011. He oversaw the club clinch the Conference South title in 2012, five years before leaving for Dorchester.
As a player, the former midfielder played for the likes of Bristol City, Torquay and Woking. He also spent four years at Wycombe Wanderers and was part of the side who won the conference and FA Trophy in 1993.
One to Watch: Cameron Murray
Winger Cameron Murray joined Dorchester in the summer after a second spell with Scarborough Athletic.
The former Leeds and Bradford youngster has five goals to his name this season but hasn’t found the net in the FA Trophy; he will undoubtedly be hoping to change that tomorrow.
He will also be aiming to cause all sorts of problems down the flanks and the Bees’ full-backs will have to be on top of their game if they are to prevent him from posing a danger.
Last Season’s FA Trophy Form:
Dorchester have already exceeded last season’s FA Trophy run. The Magpies entered the competition at the opening round of qualifying and beat Basingstoke Town 2-1.
They found themselves on the receiving end of that score-line in the next round though, bowing out at the hands of Heybridge Swifts.
This Season’s FA Trophy Form:
However, this season has been significantly better for Dorchester as far as the FA Trophy is concerned. The Magpies began their run with a 2-0 replay win over Yate Town after their initial tie finished all-square at 1-1.
A 3-1 victory over Totton in the next round saw them face a home tie with Hungerford Town in the final qualifying stage, winning 1-0.
Dorchester travelled to Eastbourne Borough at the previous hurdle and came away with a convincing 4-0 victory.
Recent Form in All Competitions:
The Magpies, who sit 16th in the Evo-Stik League South Premier Division South, are unbeaten in their last four games.
A 1-0 defeat at home to Weymouth on Boxing Day was quickly followed up by a 1-1 draw away at Wimborne Town three days later. They began the New Year in high spirits, beating Tiverton Town 3-2 away from home. However, the points had to be shared again in their next game, drawing 1-1 with Taunton Town. They go into tomorrow’s game off the back of a win though after beating Poole Town 1-0 on Tuesday night.
Last 5 games in all competitions: LDWDW
