BRADLEY Tarbuck has told Echosport he “couldn’t say no” to Dorchester Town’s offer of a contract until the end of the season.

The 19-year-old put pen to paper on his new deal last Thursday and then celebrated in style with a first goal of the campaign at Cambridge City two days later.

Former county town loan star Tarbuck made his move back to the Avenue permanent having initially rejoined some four weeks previously.

Tarbuck was released by Portsmouth in May after his first spell at Dorchester came to an end, and when trials at Premier League clubs Stoke City and AFC Bournemouth proved unsuccessful it was the Magpies who came to his rescue.

“I went to Stoke and nothing came of that, and I went to Bournemouth and nothing came of that either,” he said. “I rung up Dorchester and they were still willing to take me.

“I enjoyed it last season and Jem (player-manager Mark Jermyn) was happy to have me back.

“They offered me a deal until the end of the season and I couldn’t really say no to it.

“I aim to play as high up as I can and Dorchester have said they are not going to hold me back, and I appreciate that, but I’m just going to see what happens and I don’t want to look too far ahead.”

On the Magpies, he added: “The team is doing really well and Saturday’s performance was our best yet.”

Tarbuck will be looking to add to his goal against Cambridge when Dorchester host Cirencester Town in the FA Cup first qualifying round this Saturday.

Dorchester’s reserves entertain AFC Portchester in the Wyvern Premier Division tonight (7.45pm).