PLAYING Football League clubs’ academy sides and not their first teams this summer will benefit Dorchester Town in the long run, according to boss Mark Jermyn.

The Magpies have already had run outs against teams from the academies at Yeovil and Portsmouth, while they also host Plymouth’s youngsters tonight (7.30pm).

This time last year Dorchester were being beaten heavily by Bournemouth and Yeovil’s first XIs in front of their own supporters, results which didn’t help morale going into the league campaign.

For Jermyn, facing the next generation of stars at pro clubs brings many benefits.

He said: “I like playing the younger teams because they’re full of enthusiasm and there were some good players out there on Saturday.

“What it does do is really drive people’s stamina because when you play the big boys it can be pass, pass, pass, without really doing a lot.

“Whereas with teams like we played on Saturday, you’re forced into running because they’ll run all day.

“They run into areas they probably shouldn’t run in but it forces our lads to run with them.”

He added: “The Portsmouth manager told us about a couple of players we might want to take note of and that’s a good thing for us.

“That’s one of the reasons we are playing against the younger teams.

“If we played the Yeovil or Portsmouth first teams then we’re playing against guys who we’re never going to bring to the club. In a way, that would be a pointless exercise.

“Yes, you get a run out, but one thing I don’t like doing is taking players without actually knowing anything about them.

“Some of the Portsmouth lads were quite impressive for their age, but that’s why they’re at a pro club.

“We’re in touch with the pro clubs and their youth systems for loaning players next season.

“We’ll get there but we know we’re not going to be dependent on that.

“We’re not going to be a team with a big squad who can call on players from here, there and everywhere.”