JASON Matthews predicts the Weymouth support will outnumber that of Dorchester Town’s by “three to one” on their own patch, as the sides do battle in this afternoon’s Ridgeway derby (3pm).

The Terras’ boss, who had a faultless record against the Magpies last season, believes the Weymouth faithful will be “amazing” when they head to the Avenue later on today.

“Whatever anyone says, the derby is a massive game and is totally different to any other game,” he told Echosport.

“It is the best non-League derby outside of the Conference and nothing else even comes close.

“Our support will be amazing and I am really looking forward to it.”

Matthews’ squad is set to be boosted by the return of skipper Stewart Yetton and Dean Evans. Defender Pat Baldwin is also expected to be fit.

Last week, Magpies’ chief Mark Jermyn told Echosport that Weymouth “probably have half of our budget sat on their bench”.

Responding to that claim, Matthews said: “Jem has a valid point but we live to our means.

“We get 600 crowds and Dorchester get 300 crowds. That’s the fact of the matter. I think we will outnumber them three to one and our support will be unbelievable.

“My bench has been strong but, at the end of the day, Chris McPhee and Mark Molesley have not been fit to start up until now.

"They are now, and maybe they won’t be on the bench today.

“I think Jem is doing a fantastic job with the budget he has been given and credit must go to him.

“Take nothing away from Dorchester, they are a fantastic club and I enjoyed my year there immensely.

“Jem is a good football friend of mine. I would like to think he would say the same about me but on the day there is no quarter given and afterwards we will shake hands and have a beer.”

Reflecting on their 1-1 draw against St Neots on Saturday, Matthews added: “I thought it was a really good point against a well-drilled side who were probably horrible to play against to be fair.

“They played for free-kicks, set-pieces and throw-ins and I felt we more than matched them and stood up to the task with three or four missing.

“I felt Ben Thomson had a very good debut and Josh Grant had his best game for us, it makes it really tough for me on who to select today.”