CAPTAIN Simon Mitchem believes tomorrow’s clash with Poole at the Rec (1pm) is a chance for his side to “lay down the marker” of their ambitions in the Dorset Premier League this season.

After wins against Martinstown and Shillingstone, Dorchester sit top of the pile by a point ahead of Wimborne & Colehill.

But, with last season’s league runners-up coming to the county town this weekend, Mitchem knows his side will have to be on their guard.

“It’s a different test than the first two games,” he told Echosport

“Poole are one of the more established sides in the league but we have been looking forward to it all week and are ready to go.

“Obviously they have some big players in there but it’s not all about one person, it’s about what we can do as a collective.”

David Trotter is expected to come back into the side alongside George Foot. Will McKay and Dan Floyd both miss out through work commitments.

Mitchem added: “Every win we get is one more win closer to staying in the league next year first and foremost. Then we will go from there on a week-by-week basis.

“Hopefully we can lay down the marker of where we are at on Saturday and really establish ourselves.”