DORCHESTER go into the new Dorset Premier League season fearing no-one, according to skipper Simon Mitchem.

The county town side start their campaign tomorrow with a home game against Swanage (1pm), with Mitchem in a confident mood ahead of his side’s opener.

For Mitchem, the successor to Dan Belt, this summer is primarily about preserving Dorchester’s status in the top tier.

As well as that, Mitchem wants to see some of the club’s younger players become regular fixtures in the first XI.

Injury and unavailability means that two youngsters, Will Channon and Tom Blair, will get their chance to impress at Dorchester Rec this weekend.

Eiron Fitzgerald, son of player-coach Sean Fitzgerald, comes into the team, but Mitchem doesn’t have the likes of Will Caldwell, Shaun Little, Steve Clifford or Quenton Miller to call on.

Caldwell is only available for half the season, injury has waylaid Little, while Clifford is on duty with the RAF in Nepal.

Meanwhile, former vice-captain Pete Moxom has moved to Australia and Fergus Guppy now lives in Brighton.

“We had a squad settled for this weekend but then had to change it because of unavailability and injuries,” said Mitchem.

“We’ve got quite a young side for tomorrow. Will and Tom are both 16 and have come through the youth ranks at the club.

“Tom and Will performed well last year and deserve their chance in the first team, and we’re really looking to promote a couple of players from within the club.”

He added: “We’ve been in the nets for a few weeks now and they have gone very well.

“People are playing well and everyone is looking forward to the new season starting.

“We want to finish as high as we possibly can, but first and foremost we want to stay up.

“You’d expect Parley and Poole to be up there at the top but we’ve got no fear about playing anyone.

“There is a great team spirit and atmosphere at the club, and everyone is singing from the same hymn sheet.

“I’m sure we can mix it with anyone, we’ve just got to go out there and do our best.”

Mitchem reckons South African Ian Booth is someone in the Swanage side that Dorchester will have to look out for.

Swanage came fifth in Premier One last season, recording wins over champions Poole Town and runners-up Parley.

Dorchester finished third in Premier Two behind Sherborne and Martinstown.

Dorchester: Mitchem, Evans, S Fitzgerald, Belt, Morris, Channon, E Fitzgerald, Dunham, Power, Porter, Blair