GRAHAM Kemp is hoping the Magpies can use Boxing Day’s derby against Weymouth (3pm) to kick-start their campaign going into the New Year.

As the Dorchester boss admits himself, Friday’s showdown at the Avenue is “huge” for both teams, and for very different reasons.

The Terras’ points total in the Evo-Stik Southern Premier Division is more than double that of Dorchester’s, with Jason Matt-hews’ men firmly in contention for the league title.

On the other hand, the Magpies are dangerously close to the relegation zone after picking up just four points from the last 27.

However, Dorchester’s chances of beating their rivals have been given a boost by the signing of Dan Woodward on dual registration forms from Gosport Borough.

The 20-year-old, a right-sided midfielder, has played Southern League football for Gosport and featured for the Privett Park club in the FA Trophy final against Cambridge United at Wembley last season.

While delighted to have Woodward on board, Kemp reckons the side that keeps to their game plan the most will come out on top in the third encounter between the Ridgeway rivals this season.

“We’re at opposite ends of the spectrum but when it comes to a local derby it’s all about who wants it most on the day,” said Kemp. “All we can do is prepare our players the best way possible.

“If we play like we have done at times during the season we can win, but if we don’t we’ll get turned over. Weymouth are definitely going into it as favourites and they are the form team in the league at the moment.

“But we have got to turn the corner at some stage and hopefully that is Boxing Day.

“The team that sticks to their game plan and doesn’t get carried away with the occasion will win.

“You have to be passionate but not to the extent where you lose your shape or concentration, or get sent off.”

He went on to add: “It’s huge for both teams for different reasons.

“They are at the top end of the table and need the points to stay there, while we are near the bottom and there is a small gap starting to appear between us and teams above us, which is a bit worrying.

“There is anxiety there because the confidence is low throughout the club.

“But we can use this game to kick-start our season and end 2014 on a high. Hopefully we can take that into the new year and start afresh.”

Kemp has first-hand experience of playing in a Ridgeway derby, though his preparation for the game as a teenager wasn’t exactly ideal.

“I played for Weymouth against Dorchester years and years ago , when I was 18 or 19,” he said.

“It was a New Year’s Day game and I only found out I was playing the day before. I was drinking with Adrian Chance when the news came through. I thought it was a wind up so I had a £50 bet with Adrian that it was a joke – I ended up having to pay him £50.”

The sides last met at the Avenue in the league on Boxing Day 2009 when they fought out a 0-0 draw.

Nathan Walker (back) and Jake Smeeton (hamstring), unused substitutes that day, are fighting to be fit this time around.

Midfielder Nick Crittenden is the only other survivor from that game five years ago.

Magpies (from): Walker-Harris, Doe, Oldring, Dillon, Gleeson, Walker, Smeeton, Lanahan, Robinson, Crittenden, Walsh, Smith, Odam, Murray, Brookes, Parrett, Godfrey, Rolls, Murphy, Hanger, Woodward