DORCHESTER Town manager Steve Thompson hopes the Magpies can “give a good account” of themselves in the Boxing Day derby at Weymouth (3pm).

Thompson’s side picked up 6-0 and 4-0 wins over St Ives and Farnborough respectively before their 1-0 Evo-Stik Southern Premier Division defeat at Bishop’s Stortford.

Speaking to Echosport about the derby, the Magpies’ boss believes both sides will consequently be “looking forward” to the clash more keenly given the Magpies’ recent good form.

He said: “I hope we can give a good account of ourselves. We have most times since I took over. I can count three games where I’ve been disappointed in the performance.

“I feel probably only the Banbury home game, the Hitchin home game and the Wimborne county cup game are the only times I looked at the lads and thought ‘that’s been poor today’ out of about 20 games.

“On the whole that’s been pretty consistent and we’ve risen up the table and secured quite a few points. Hopefully we’ve got into a pack now that are competing to get into mid-table.

“I think everyone will be looking forward to the game a little bit more now. Maybe Weymouth will think it’ll be a little bit more of a challenge.

“I think even Weymouth fans are probably looking forward to it a little bit more, as are Dorchester fans, than the last one.”

Ten-man Dorchester suffered a harrowing 3-0 loss to the Terras in August when a Jake McCarthy brace and a Brandon Goodship goal marked the end of ex-boss Craig Laird’s tenure at the Avenue Stadium.

Since then, Dorchester have accrued 23 points in 17 league games ahead of Thompson’s first derby in charge, with the former Woking number two able to contain his excitement prior to the clash.

He said: “I am looking forward to it, but I never wish days away – I’m getting too old to wish days away! I’m not one of those that ‘can’t wait’ for that, it soon comes around.”

A Dorchester triumph would be the first over their arch-rivals in four matches since a 71st-minute Mark Jermyn goal handed the Magpies a 1-0 victory in late August 2015.

But they will attempt to arrest that trend without star winger Mo Baghdadi, who has returned to Germany for Christmas before rejoining parent club Bristol Rovers, and defender Ross Carmichael, who is unavailable.

Thompson said: “I wish I had a full squad to choose from. I won’t have for that game for various reasons, but that’s part of what I’ve inherited here in terms of how people approached it.

“I can’t go back on what people have been told and I wish I had everyone to choose from. It gives me a difficult decision when I have everyone to choose from.

“I like having those difficult decisions than not having two players to select. They’re both big blows but you have to swallow it.

“I would hope that I can create a philosophy here where people realise the importance to everyone of players playing and supporters supporting where football is football.”

He added: “It’s easy for me to say because I’ve always been in pro or semi-pro football and it’s your life and you know not to do things between July 1 when you go back for pre-season and May.

“That’s not abundant at this level and I understand that, but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t upset me because I want everyone to choose from.

“Both players are playing so well and I’d love to have them available for selection.”

Dorchester have a minor injury concern over Callum Rose (head) for the clash, while Luke Winsper (knock) is expected to be fit.