Dorchester Town v Ebbsfleet United

Excluding Farnborough, who are still yet to play, there are just three Skrill South sides who are yet to record a win. Two of these meet at the Avenue on Saturday afternoon as Ebbsfleet United face the 300+ mile round trip to face Dorchester Town. Both sides will be looking for three points as they look to kick start their season.

Let's take a look at the home side.

Dorchester Town FC

Founded - 1880

Nickname – The Magpies

Ground – The Avenue

Manager – Phil Simkin

Captain – Mark Jermyn

Last season's finish - 8th

Current League position – 21^st

Despite being founded in 1880, the Magpies didn't enter the Dorset League until some 16 years later, and they didn't win it until 1938.

In the 1950s, Dorchester won the Dorset Senior Cup for the first time and tasted success in the FA Cup with some creditable runs, including matches against Norwich City, Queen's Park Rangers, Port Vale and Plymouth Argyle. Their best run came in 1954 when they made it to the second round, but just lost out to York City, who made to it the semi-finals that year. The game was watched by 5,500 spectators at the old Avenue ground.

In 1972, the Club entered the Southern League, Division One South. Previous to this, the Magpies enjoyed four more Dorset Senior Cup victories.

In the 1977/78 season, Dorchester enjoyed their best spell in the Southern League structure as they ended the season with 16 games undefeated, finished 2^nd behind Margate. That season saw big name players such as Jack Howarth and John O'Rourke at the Avenue as manager David Best made use of his links with AFC Bournemouth.

The Club, in it's centenary season, won the Southern League as they pipped Aylesbury by just one point. One stand out player that season was Trevor Senior, who went on to play for Portsmouth, Watford, Middlesbrough and Reading after leaving the Avenue. Senior is still Reading's all-time top scorer in all competitions with 191 goals.

Before leaving for Portsmouth, he helped the Magpies to yet another FA Cup second round. This time they lost out to AFC Bournemouth in front of 8,700 at Dean Court, Bournemouth.

Dorchester won promotion to the Conference structure for the first time in 2003/04 as they won the Southern Premier play-offs and qualified for the Conference South.

Last season, the Magpies again made it to the FA Cup second round. After beating Wootton Basset Town, Basingstoke Town, Bury Town and Plymouth Argyle, Dorchester were handed a trip to Conference Premier Luton Town, but couldn't quite make it to the third round as they lost 2-1.

The Squad

Goalkeepers – Alan Walker-Harris, Tim Sandercombe

Defenders – Aaran Pugh, Calvin Brooks, Charlie Clough, Harry Bell, Mark Jermyn, Neil Martin, Steve Walker

Midfielders – Danny Green, Danny Way, Jamie Gleeson, Lewis Morgan, Nick Crittenden

Attackers – Ben Watson, Elliot Ward, Jamie Beasley, Josh Tennant, Brandon Goodship (on loan from Bournemouth)

In my original Skrill South 2013/14 preview, I stated that I felt the Dorchester squad was lacking and that they could well find themselves in a relegation battle. With just one point on the board in the opening four matches, it could be a long struggle for the Magpies. It's worth noting that Mark Jermyn has been with the club a huge thirteen seasons. This season will be his 14^th and he should easily pass Trevor Townsend's 585 appearances for the Club.

Did you know? 

Dorchester's Nick Crittenden once came on in a match and replaced the legendary Gianfranco Zola. 

The season so far

It's been disappointing for the Magpies so far, with three losses occurring in the opening four games, conceding a massive 11 goals in the process. They have picked up one draw so far.

Staines Town 1-0 Dorchester Town

Dorchester Town 0-3 Weston Super-Mare

Dorchester Town 2-6 Whitehawk

Gosport Borough 1-1 Dorchester Town

LLLD

Goals – 3

Conceded – 11

Key players

Look no further than Ben Watson. The former Grays Athletic and Exeter City striker has made himself at home with the Magpies, scoring 17 goals (in all competitions) last term as they finished 8^th in the Conference South. Last season his goals could have helped them into the play-offs. This season his goals will go a long way to helping them try and avoid the drop. Another player I feel could cause the Fleet some problems if he gets hold of the ball is veteran midfielder Nick Crittenden. At 34 years of age, he's coming to the end of his career now but his creativity in midfield could be an asset to anybody at this level.

Manager Simkin should have a near full squad to choose from.

Last time out

Gosport Borough 1-1 Dorchester Town.

Steve Walker's second half goal gave Dorchester their first point of the season away at Privett Park.

After their 1-1 draw away at Bath, the Boro were in the mood to record their first win as they dominated the early proceedings against the Magpies. Jamie Brown and Dan Wooden both went close, before Wooden struck on 22 minutes. A long ball from defence set him free from the Dorchester defence and he swept home from close range.

After a disallowed goal for the visitors, the sides went in all square at half-time.

Wooden went close in the second half and Dorchester's Charlie Clough nearly caught the keeper out with a lob.

Walker pounced with 15 minutes remaining as the ball fell to him eight yards out. The hosts would argue it was undeserved, but Dorchester will take them any way they can get them at the moment!

Both sides had chances to win it late on, but the score remained the same.

Attendance: 486

Now let's take a look at the Fleet!

The Squad

Goalkeepers – Preston Edwards, Brandon Hall,

Defenders – Joe Howe, Osei Sankofa, Aiden Palmer, Paul Lorraine, Shane Huke

Midfielders – Chris Sessegnon, Anthony Cook, Dominic Green, Tom Phipp, Cesc Fakinos, Stacy Long, Michael Corcoran, Dean Rance, Daryl McMahon

Strikers – Billy Bricknell, Ben May, Alex Osborn (on loan from Dagenham), Michael Thalassitis (on loan from Stevenage)

The season so far

The Fleet are still looking for that important first win of the season as they've picked up just three points from a possible twelve.

Ebbsfleet United 0-0 Havant and Waterlooville

Dover Athletic 2-1 Ebbsfleet United

Eastbourne Borough 1-1 Ebbsfleet United

Ebbsfleet United 1-1 Maidenhead United

DLDDD

Scored – 3

Conceded – 4

Key players

Anthony Cook and Dominic Green will need to provide some decent service if the Fleet are to get in behind the Magpies defence. The pace and trickery of the two will cause problems, but the final ball has been lacking for the Fleet so far this season. Goals have been hard to come by, and once a few go in, the confidence will be flowing throughout the side.

Team news

Ben May (back) looks set to miss out after pulling up in the pre-match warm up on Monday. Other than that, the Fleet should be near full strength.

Last time out

Ebbsfleet United 1-1 Maidenhead United.

After dominating the first 45 minutes, the Fleet would have been disappointed to go into the break all square.

Michael Thalassitis scored a penalty in the tenth minute after being brought down by Maidenhead keeper Elvijs Putnins and Anthony Cook, Shane Huke and Alex Osborn all had chances, but that second goal just wouldn't come.

The Magpies scored just after the 40 minute mark as a through ball found Reece Tison-Lascaris in space in the box. The young midfielder showed great composure as he coolly slotted the ball under Preston Edwards to level the game.

In a dull second half, Maidenhead came the closest to scoring at the start as Michael Malcolm's effort just crept over the bar.

Attendance: 835

Key battle

Should they both play, I believe Dorchester captain Mark Jermyn and Fleet striker Billy Bricknell are in for a right tussle. The Fleet striker will be looking to open his account for the new campaign, and the Fleet certainly need to show more attacking intent.

Previous matches

The Fleet and Dorchester go a long way back with their first competitive meeting coming in 1972, in the Southern League South division. The Fleet won that match 2-0 away from home, and the Magpies didn't record their first win against the Fleet until 1982 in the Southern League Premier; a 2-0 win at the old Avenue ground.

Both sides' biggest victory against the other was 4-1. The Fleet recorded this in March 1996, while the Magpies won by the same scoreline February, 1991.

The two Clubs have played 29 competitive matches against each other and the Fleet lead the head-to-head.

Fleet wins: 18

Dorchester wins: 4

Draws: 7

Last five meetings

Ebbsfleet United 3-2 Dorchester Town – Blue Square Bet South – 08.01.11

Dorchester Town 1-2 Ebbsfleet United – Blue Square Bet South – 11.09.10

Dorchester Town 0-2 Ebbsfleet United – FA Trophy – 12.01.08

Dorchester Town 2-2 Gravesend and Northfleet – Southern League Premier – 23.11.96

Gravesend and Northfleet 1-3 Dorchester Town – Southern League Premier – 12.10.96

Ladbrokes have the Fleet at evens to beat Dorchester, with the hosts coming in at 9/4. A draw for this match sees odds of 23/10. 

Bet Victor have the Magpies to win at 23/10, with the Fleet at 11/10. A draw sees odds of 27/10. 

If you're able to attend the game, then match day prices are as follows:

Adults - £12

Concessions - £8

Juniors - £3

If you are unable to attend, then follow @DorchTownFC or @EUFCofficial for match updates and post-match reaction.

Enjoy the game!