DAVID Laws is like a good bottle of claret - he just gets better with age.

The Weymouth striker celebrated his 33rd birthday on Tuesday by scoring twice in the 4-0 Dr Martens League Cup first round victory over Salisbury City.

And to cap a memorable week, which began with a Dr Martens Representative call-up and a goal against Ilkeston in the league last Saturday, the Terras legend makes his 300th appearance for the club against Chelmsford City at the Wessex Stadium tomorrow, ko 3pm.

"It's brilliant," he said. "300 appearances is a real feat and I'm just glad to be reaching the milestone at home in front our own supporters. It's been a good couple of weeks for me personally and I feel really good about things at the moment.

"I love it here at Weymouth, I always have done. I'm well happy with my Football at present and I'd like to think I can end my playing days at the Wessex Stadium."

Since being signed by Graham Carr from Bishop Auckland, Laws has netted 183 times in a terra cotta shirt, while already this season he has found the target on a dozen occasions.

So how does he keep going so strong? The Wearsider puts much of it down to his new job as a prison officer at the Verne on Portland.

"The job has helped 100 per cent," he admitted. "Obviously you've got to be fit to do it and I'm able to get in the gym for about an hour and a half every day now and I feel as good as I did when I as 23. That little bit of extra work makes such a difference and you can really feel the benefit in a match situation."

Terras manager and fellow Verne prison officer Andy Mason today paid tribute to his player-coach.

He explained: "A couple of months ago some people were saying David Laws was finished just because he was suffering a lean spell which all strikers do from time to time. But I know he's still got an awful lot left in him and his two goals against Salisbury is all the proof you need.

"He's a tremendous character and ambassador for the club and 300 appearances is a fantastic achievement in this day and age. His loyalty and commitment are unrivalled and it wouldn't surprise me if he was around for many more seasons to come.

"His ability to score at a ratio of more than a goal a game is amazing and it's not like he spends 90 minutes poaching in the opposition's six-yard box. Some of his efforts are absolutely spectacular and you can't put a price on what he's worth to Weymouth Football Club."

He added: "Working with him everyday, I can see what sort of effort he puts into his gym sessions and that's why he's fitter and more powerful than ever before.

"As long as he stays fit he'll keep on playing and all the time he's playing he'll score goals."

* Defender Ryan Cross and winger Kevin Parker will have fitness tests on hamstring injuries before kick-off tomorrow, as will Matthew Hale who took a knock against Salisbury in midweek.