TRIALIST Rico Wilson moved a step closer to earning a deal with Dorchester Town after an impressive second-half display in Saturday’s demolition of minnows Springfield Hotel.

The ex-Yeovil Town and Bournemouth Poppies forward, who can also operate down the flank, scored two goals in the 12-0 defeat of the Dorset Sunday League visitors – his third appearance of pre-season so far.

And Wilson’s efforts earned high praise from Magpies’ boss Ashley Vickers, who also cast his eye over former Bath City midfielder Lee Collier.

He said: “Rico is a good player, he’s got raw talent and real pace. I’ve been impressed with Rico, he’s got something we can work with so we’ll keep pursuing that and see where it goes.”

Of Collier’s display, Vickers added: “Lee has played at a good level, he showed his quality and we’ll have another look at him if he wants us to.

“I’ve explained to all the trialists that competition within the current squad is fierce, so it’s up to them to prove to me that they’re better than what we’ve already got.

“Only when that happens will we sit down and talk.”

One signing Vickers hopes to complete in the near future is that of striker Stuart Douglas, who netted a first-half hat-trick in the Avenue annihilation.

He said: “We want to sign Dougie, the chairman Shaun Hearn is trying to get a package together and hopefully some local businesses will help with that. He’ll be a good player for us and will bring an extra dimension.

He’s not asking for the world so hopefully we can put forward a package, which I know the chairman is working on.”

The huge gulf in league status was evident throughout Saturday’s match with the Magpies racing into a 7-0 lead at the break before adding five more in the second half.

The goalfest started as early as the second minute when Warren Byerley made sure Nick Crittenden’s initial effort went over the line.

Byerley bagged his second five minutes later with a deft flick before strike partner Douglas grabbed a double of his own.

Crittenden rounded the Springfield keeper to make it 5-0, Byerley headed home for his hat-trick and the same man won a penalty seven minutes from half-time with Douglas dispatching the spot-kick to complete his treble.

After the interval, it took another 20 minutes for the county town side to add to their tally – Wilson heading in fellow substitute Hamed’s cross.

Dave Allen got his first goal since returning to the club in May before Matt Groves notched his first of pre-season to take the score into double figures.

Wilson then netted a fine individual effort before Casius Newton’s deflected shot brought an end to the rout.

Magpies: Evans (Hookway 46), Montacute, Smeeton, Frampton, Walker, Collier (Allen 54), Crittenden (Richardson 46), Nodwell (Newton 46), Douglas (Groves 51), Byerley (Hamed 51), Martin (Wilson 54).