DORCHESTER Town manager Steve Thompson is pleased with the commitment from his players ahead of tomorrow’s clash at home to Kettering Town in the Evo-Stik Southern Premier Division (3pm).

The Magpies go into the clash sitting in 20th place in the table with 16 points and are on a difficult run of form with one win in their last six matches.

Thompson said: “The players shouldn’t be playing under pressure but they should be playing with pride and they are, they’re giving the commitment and the effort that I require.

“Whether we’ve got the quality remains to be seen.”

Kettering are currently on a great run of form, being unbeaten in their last nine league matches that has taken them to third in the table.

Thompson said: “I’m looking forward to Kettering. I said to the players this is a chance for you this season, I don’t want you to play with any pressure.”

He pointed out that the upcoming restructuring of the league, which means just one team will go down this season, should ease any relegation fears for the Magpies and allow them to play with less pressure.

Last time out, the Magpies suffered a 3-1 loss away to Frome Town, as goals in the 79th and 85th minute condemned them to defeat, with new signing Blake Davies made his first appearance from the bench.

Thompson reflected: “You’re never pleased when you lose 3-1 but we were right in the game until they got the second.

“We have to pick ourselves up against Kettering now and try and get a result.”

Despite the midweek defeat there is cause for optimism with the Magpies on the right track.

Thompson said: “We’ve had 10 league games now and won three, lost three and drawn four which is a big improvement on where we were before.”

Thompson said he would be surprised if Rory Fallon was available for tomorrow having had to travel to New Zealand and Peru.

Fallon was an unused substitute in both matches as New Zealand lost 2-0 to Peru in a two-leg World Cup play-off.

Thompson said: “Flying back from New Zealand to Peru is a hell of a journey.

“I would be very very surprised if he is in any fit state to play after his journeys.”

Luke Winsper will be unavailable for the Magpies as he continues to recover from injury but Thompson hopes the midfielder can be back for the match away at Methyr Town on Saturday, November 25.