DORCHESTER captain Simon Mitchem is eager for a response from his charges after what has been a difficult fortnight for the county town side.

A washed out game at Swanage two weeks ago, followed by a shock defeat at Martinstown has meant that Mitchem’s men have only taken 11 points from a possible 40 and are now 23 points adrift of leaders Wimborne & Colehill.

But with eight league games of their season still remaining, Mitchem is keen for his side to pull themselves off the canvas and keep fighting, starting with a home game against Shillingstone at the Rec tomorrow (1pm).

“Last week was obviously disappointing. We didn’t perform anywhere near to our standards,” Mitchem told Echosport.

“We all have bad weeks and we certainly had one last week, we didn’t make it easy for ourselves which was the frustrating

thing.

“It’s time for us to get back on track, put in a good performance (tomorrow) and everyone needs to contribute, hopefully we can pick up 20 points.

“There are still eight games to go and all the top teams have to play each other. It’s important this weekend that we go out and win the game. We want to stay as close to the top as we can.”

He added: “Sherborne got uncharacteristically hammered last week. Poole are going to be there or thereabouts but all the top teams still have to play each other.

“These next few weeks are going to have a real impact on who finishes where but it is still all to play for at the moment, that’s for sure.”

Dorchester are expected to make changes to their line-up with Josh Richardson out with a hamstring injury and Jack Walklett set to play for the seconds to regain some fitness.

Pete Horne, who claimed outstanding figures of 5-13 for the club’s second team last week, is set to step up. Quenton Miller strengthens the batting and David Trotter also returns.

Shillingstone are currently third from bottom of the Dorset Funeral Plan Premier Division so far this season with three wins to their name.

The last time the two sides locked horns, Dorchester cruised to a 10-wicket victory with five wickets for James Dunham and an unbeaten 68 from opener Dan Belt.

Dorchester: Belt, Moxom, Mitchem, McKay, Miller, Morris, Roe, G Foot, Dunham, Trotter, Horne

* Dorchester Seconds make the trip to Shillingstone Seconds in County Division Three tomorrow (1.30pm).