STRIKER Ben Watson was pleased to eventually work out a deal to remain at the Avenue, and is targeting a tally of 20 goals for the club next term.

The former Truro City and Bideford frontman, who also confirmed he had interest surrounding him from other potential suitors this summer, showed his loyalty to the Magpies by penning a new one-year contract this week.

Speaking about the deal, he told Echosport: “There were negotiations back and forth and I wanted to see what the plan was for next season.

“It was inevitable that I wanted to stay at Dorchester. It was just making sure it was feasible for myself.

“Coming from Exeter, there are not many players at Dorchester from that way and it’s a case of weighing things up when you are part-time, but I am obviously happy to stay.

“There was interest from elsewhere and I was weighing things up but, ultimately, I went to Dorchester in January with a view to continue.

He added: “Last season at Truro I wasn’t playing for one reason or the other so I missed 10 to 15 games at the start of the season. When I went to Bideford I enjoyed my football and scored four in eight.

“I’d like to think that if I had started those games at the start of the season I could have been on 20 league goals. As it was I finished with 13 in the end and it was good to enjoy my football at Dorchester and I am hoping to get 20 goals this season. That’s my aim anyway.”

Looking at the club’s ambitions as a whole, the 29-year-old added: “We still have to finalise the team, it’s a big loss with Jamie Gleeson leaving.

“A few other players haven’t signed yet but we have the core of the squad together from last year and we obviously finished off really well under Jem.

“Hopefully, with a few more additions, we can do well next season. It’s a work in progress but we will set out to win every game and that’s what it’s all about.”