TOM Killick and his Dorchester Town side will take to the pitch for the first time in more than two months at Hamworthy United this evening (7.45pm).

The Magpies last played AFC Totton on Saturday, April 27 and begin the summer with Killick’s stated aim of reaching the Southern League Premier South play-offs come May.

Dorchester have been training as a squad for 10 days, including a team-building session to Hengistbury Head.

And Killick believes his players will relish the return to playing after the long break.

He told Echosport: “It’s a time of the year where everyone’s full of optimism.

READ MORE: Ieuan Turner and Lewis Toms stay at Dorchester for 2024/25 season

“It’s good to get into the games. When pre-season starts, the thing people look forward to is when the actual games start. This is our first one.

“Players will be pleased to see the back of the continual hard work without a game in sight. They’ve got something to look forward to.”

Killick also explained how the Hamworthy friendly came about.

He said: “When you’re trying to arrange a pre-season schedule, ideally you have a range of opponents.

“You want to try and get people above and close to your level, then you have a couple that maybe are a level or two below.

“Finding teams at exactly your level is quite difficult because you’re not going to play teams in the same league.

“Your initial thought is try and secure prestigious friendlies that might attract revenue and good crowds. Every club is chasing those, they’re difficult to find.

“We felt we had two that were going to be very good in terms of attracting interest in Weymouth and Eastleigh, then unfortunately Eastleigh pulled out.

“But Hamworthy, Dan Cann the manager I’ve got a very good relationship with. He’s a very good up-and-coming manager.

“In football, you make relationships and it’s good to try and help people. He’s a good lad, Dan, and he’s showing signs of being a good manager.

“They’ve got a good setup there and a good pitch, it’s a 4G pitch and it’s recently been re-laid.

“They’ve got some decent facilities and a new stand, so it ticks quite a few boxes for us.”

Dorchester have now enlisted Rayners Lane to replace the Eastleigh game next Saturday (3pm).

On Dorchester’s own preparations, Killick appears satisfied with the Magpies’ progress.

“Pretty good,” he replied.

“We’ve had some tough sessions and the players have worked hard. As all managers say, it’s not as difficult as it used to be in terms of the players’ fitness levels are generally higher across the board.

“It’s a slightly different process now and there’s a lot more ball work in the early stages than used to be the case, so there’s a bigger enjoyment factor for the players.

“It’s been good so far. Pre-season is all about building up spirit and cohesion, fitness and avoiding injuries.

“That’s the be-all and end-all. We want to come through largely unscathed and have everyone fit and available for the first game.”

Olaf Koszela (foot), Luke Pardoe (groin) and Will Spetch (unavailable) are the only absentees for Dorchester.