MARK Jermyn is desperate for his Dorchester side to avoid a repeat of last month’s defensive display against Cirencester when the two teams meet again tomorrow (3pm).

The clash at the Avenue represents Jermyn’s first FA Cup game as a manager, and the Magpies’ player-boss would love a good run in the competition this season.

However, if the county town outfit defend in the first qualifying round tie like they did during their 4-3 league defeat to the Centurions then that won’t be happening.

But with five clean sheets in eight Evo-Stik Southern Premier Division outings, and no goals conceded at all at home, Jermyn is confident his men have gone a long way to getting things right at the back.

Speaking about that early-season loss, he told Echosport: “There was some poor defending from us at times and they scored all of their goals from set-pieces.

“We’ve been trying to address that problem in training to make sure it doesn’t happen again.

“I still maintain we were better than them on the night, the result just didn’t go for us.

“It was unfortunate but in recent weeks I can see that we are stronger.

“We’ve had five clean sheets in our eight league games and we haven’t conceded at home.

“I think it will be a good game and it’s one we’re really looking to push on from.”

Jermyn has happy memories of helping Dorchester to the second round proper in 2012.

After beating Plymouth at home in round one, the Magpies battled bravely before losing to Luton at Kenilworth Road.

“There is no reason why we can’t have a good run in the cup,” he added. “It all comes down to who wants it the most on the day, and that has been shown in the past.

“Everybody gave everything against Plymouth and we wanted more than them on the day.

“At the end of the day, in the FA Cup you’ve got to earn the right to go through to the next round and reap the rewards.”

Jermyn is set to have a fully fit squad to choose from.

This weekend's prices for the Weymouth and Dorchester games:

FA Cup first qualifying round

Petersfield v Weymouth

Petersfield Town 3/1
Draw 3/1
Weymouth 8/13

Dorchester v Cirencester

Dorchester 5/4
Draw 13/5
Cirencester 6/4

SPECIALS

Weymouth to win match and both teams to score 2/1
Dorchester to win match and both teams to score 10/3
Jem Racing refund all losing first goalscorer and correct score bets in any game that ends 0-0
These prices are available in the betting lounge in St. Thomas Street, Weymouth or by telephone on 01202 733003