Dorchester Town v Beaconsfield Town: Team news and manager interview

The Magpies host Beaconsfield Town in their opening Pitching In Southern League Premier South clash of the season tomorrow (3pm).

Dorchester last played a league game on Tuesday, October 27, 2020 – some 291 days intervening between hosting the Rams at the Avenue Stadium.

On their last league outing, Dorchester lost 2-1 at Taunton and the Magpies have since played only one competitive game – a 3-2 FA Trophy loss at Swindon Supermarine.

However, hopes are high for a turnaround in fortunes this season with a solid pre-season and the additions of ex-Premier League midfielder Tom Soares, plus the talented Tom Purrington.

READ MORE: Christos Papakonstantinou to excite Magpies fans, says Herrera

Speaking to Echosport, Herrera said: “I’m looking forward to it. It’s been a long time since we’ve had a competitive game.

“I’ve been here for over a year and a half and in that time we’ve only played a handful of games.

“It will be great for the boys. We’ve had a fairly fruitful pre-season so we’re itching to get going.”

Asked if he was happy with the Magpies’ pre-season preparations, Herrera replied: “I was hoping to be a bit further on in terms of bodies that I’m trying to get in.

“Obviously, there’s not been that much movement this season, Covid’s taken a little bit off that.

“I was hoping to have one or two other bodies in. It hasn’t quite been done yet.

“We’re ready and I’m happy at the moment to go in with what we’ve got. I would like to add as we go.”

On facing Beaconsfield, Herrera added: “Three points would be lovely.

“At this moment in time, it’s not going to have a bearing on the season but it would be nice to get off to a good start, get a win and breathe a bit of confidence.

“I know a little bit (about Beaconsfield), I’ve got friends up in the area that have watched them over the last couple of weeks, so we’ll have a bit of info on them.

“It all depends on what happens on the day. If we do our jobs right and our men are better than their men on the day, individually, then we’ve got a good chance of winning.”

Soares (calf) is expected to be fit for the encounter, meaning the Magpies have a fully-fit squad.

Tom Soares could make his Dorchester debut tomorrow Picture: NIGEL FRENCH/PA WIRE

On Soares, Herrera said: “He’s been doing his own stuff over the last week or so, we just haven’t included him into the contact stuff.

“All being well, he’ll be available.”

Magpies’ loanee goalkeeper Gerard Benfield could also make his Dorchester debut after signing from Weymouth until January.

Herrera said: “He’s got good presence, he’ll organise our back line and his kicking’s fantastic – very good.

“Hopefully he’ll go well in the orange shirt he’s wearing this year. To be fair, it suits both ourselves and Weymouth.

“He’s coming in to do a job for us and fingers crossed he does that very well.

“At the same time, he’s getting game time and development for when he eventually goes back to Weymouth.”