“IT means the world to me” was how Mark Jermyn described his winning goal for Dorchester Town in yesterday’s derby victory over rivals Weymouth.

The Magpies’ player-manager struck in the 72nd minute of the Avenue clash to give his side a precious 1-0 triumph.

But while delighted to be the hosts’ match-winner, Jermyn was also quick to praise the Dorchester players.

“I’m a very hard task-master and I ask for a lot from the players, and sometimes I’m very strong in my requests for them to work hard,” he told Echosport.

“But they really do work hard for each other and to a man I thought they really played well.

“It means a lot to the people here and I’ve got to reiterate that the players put in a performance.

“But it means nothing if they don’t do it next week and we don’t want to be a team that wins one week and loses the next.”

For Jermyn, the goal was his second in a Ridgeway derby, but in his eyes yesterday’s had the edge over the first.

“They are both special to me but that one is probably up there because of what it meant to me and the players,” he added. “It means the world to me.

“We won 1-0 and I’m really pleased with that, but I’m not getting too carried away with the result as it’s very early in the season.”

A surprise before kick-off was the inclusion of Nathan Walker in the Dorchester side.

After being out of contract at the Avenue in the summer, he decided to join Gosport before signing dual registration forms on Sunday.

“It wasn’t something that I was going to give away so hopefully everyone had a nice surprise,” said Jermyn.

  • Meanwhile, Magpies goalkeeper Shane Murphy is understood to have been approached by Poole Town.