DORCHESTER Town manager Robbie Herrera saw plenty of positives as the Magpies got their pre-season campaign going with a 1-1 draw against Hamworthy United.

Herrera fielded three new permanent signings – Tom Soares, Tom Purrington and Harry Burns – in the starting line-up, along with two triallists.

And the Magpies looked sharp early on, dominating the first half with former Premier League star Soares dictating play in the heart of midfield.

Purrington, who joined from National League side Bromley, opened the scoring midway through the first half as nimble footwork created an chance 18 yards out from which he fired home.

But a stunning 40-yard effort by former Magpies midfielder Max Buckler – similar to Ronaldinho’s goal against England in the 2002 World Cup – levelled the score in the 36th minute.

Dorchester, who have just five pre-season training sessions under their belt, ran out of steam in the second half.

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Herrera was pleased overall with the display, which encouragingly saw Dorchester finish with six under-23 players.

“The first 45 minutes we were very good,” he told Echosport.

“We had a couple of half chances, moved the ball really well, and then went 1-0 up. It was a good finish.

“Then they got a fluke goal. (Buckler) has gone to cross it in and a bit like Ronaldinho it’s gone into the top far corner.

“It was one of those, he’s mis-hit it and it’s ended up in the back of our net.

“Then it was a bit back to the Dorchester of old, heads down, stopped doing the things we were doing to get success. It was a tale of two halves.”

Dorchester’s next pre-season assignment comes at home to Christchurch on Saturday (3pm).

Magpies: Triallist, Wells, Sa (Calverley 60), Soares (Fowles 67), Davidson (Triallist 60), Madden, Burns, Purrington, Bayston, Triallist (Doyle 68), Lowes (Symes 68).