MARK Morris says he won't be pushed by Magpies fans into giving teenage striker Warren Byerley his first league start before he feels he's ready.
The popular 19-year-old reserve team top scorer from last season - nicknamed Wozza by the Avenue Stadium supporters - made an immediate impact when he grabbed the Dorchester's first-ever goal in the Nationwide Conference South at Lewes on Saturday soon after of coming off the bench in the 82nd minute.
That goal intensified the clamour from Magpie fans for the ex-Lewes youngster, who was awarded a contract by boss Morris in February, to be given the chance to show what he can do from the start of a league game.
But Morris says he's unlikely to get that opportunity tonight when the Magpies host Weston-super-Mare at the Avenue Stadium in their opening Conference South fixture, (7.45).
Instead he will probably kick-off with the experienced front pair of Matt Groves and David Laws as his side look to repeat last season's home league win over Frank Gregan's side.
"Warren will be a very good player and he has a lot of talent which is why I gave him a contract," said Morris today.
"He's getting better and better all the time and he didn't do his cause any harm at all at Lewes. But I don't think he's quite ready to play 90 minutes at this level which is why he will probably start on the bench again tonight.
"I hear the armchair managers would like to see him in from the start - but if I had listened to them over the last two years we probably wouldn't be playing Conference football, which is something this club could only have dreamed about a couple of seasons ago.
"I know my players better than anyone and, when I think the time is right, Warren will start which is something I would expect him to be desperate for. But I will never be forced into doing what I don't want to do by the fantasy managers.
"They can all moan about it as much as they like, but I think my track record as Dorchester manager with the financial restrictions I have to contend with, speaks for itself."
Morris fears international clearance is unlikely to come through in time to include Spanish new-signing Joseba Barandiarna tonight. "If it does come through he will definitely play - but I'm told it could take another couple of weeks," he said.
Left back Simon Radcliffe, who re-signed at the weekend on non-contract terms, is added to Saturday's squad and Morris is contemplating re-shuffling his pack in search of a vital opening victory against a side who held big-spending promotion favourites Hornchurch to a goal-less draw in their first game.
* Physical education teacher Barandiarna will be joining Morris in coaching youngsters at his soccer school at the Avenue Stadium from August 31 to Sept 2.
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