9:15am Tuesday 9th March 2010
By Ky Capel
Dorchester Town have benefited from the latest turmoil at rivals Weymouth with the capture of former Terras Josh Llewellyn and Scott Brice.
Ex-skipper Brice and striker Llewellyn were both released at the weekend as part of a cost-cutting measure by Weymouth chairman George Rolls.
And Magpies’ boss Ashley Vickers, who cast his eye over Llewellyn and Brice in the Terras’ 3-1 defeat to Newport County on Saturday, has wasted no time in bolstering his squad ahead of tonight’s trip to Hampton & Richmond Borough (7.45pm).
Of his latest acquisitions, who have signed non-contract terms and are both available for this evening’s clash, Vickers said: “They’re excellent characters and are both winners, so they’re welcome additions.
“We couldn’t compete with the wages they were on at Weymouth but we’re happy with the terms they’ve come in on.
“Josh has plenty of pace and is a willing runner while Scott will put his head in where it hurts.”
The new arrivals will join a near full-strength squad for tonight’s clash.
Last Tuesday’s trip to St Albans City was blighted by illness with two men unable to travel – Ryan Hill and Harry Nodwell – and two confined to the substitutes’ bench – James Coutts and Gary Bowles.
Ryan Moss played in the 2-1 defeat but was still suffering the effects of a sickness bug that kept him out of the starting line-up against Woking just three days previous.
However, with the exception of defender Jake Smeeton (ankle) and keeper Simon Evans (knee), Vickers has a much healthier squad to choose from for tonight’s journey to the Beveree Stadium.
He added: “All the lads will be fit and they are all raring to go. They trained hard on Saturday morning and are definitely up for tonight’s game.
“It will be a tough game though as Hampton have hit form. But if we play like we did in the first half against St Albans last week, and take the chances that come our way, we’ll be okay.”
Asked for an update on the fitness of Smeeton and Evans, the county town chief replied: “Jake’s had his cast off and it’s about building strength in his ankle. His body heals quite quickly so we’ll hopefully have him back before the end of the season.
“As for Simon, we’re just waiting to get his knee properly looked at.”
The Magpies have dropped to 17th in the table as a result of Maidenhead’s win at Weston-super-Mare on Saturday while tonight’s hosts lie just one spot below, three points adrift of Dorchester but with four games in hand.
Magpies (from): Coward, Fil-kins, Bowles, R Hill, Critchell, Martin, Brice, Walker, K Hill, Jermyn, Coutts, Nodwell, Glee-son, Crittenden, Devlin, Groves, Moss, Byerley, Emati-Emati, Llewellyn.
* The Avenue Stadium will play host to a friendly match between Dorchester Town Under-18s and a Chelsea Academy XI tomorrow night (7.30pm). Entry is free of charge.
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